Netscout Systems Releases 1H2024 DDoS Threat Intelligence Report

In a recent report released by Netscout Systems, alarming statistics have emerged regarding the escalating threat of DDoS attacks in the first half of 2024. The findings reveal a staggering 43% increase in application-layer attacks and a 30% surge in volumetric attacks, particularly in Europe and the Middle East. These attacks, lasting less than 15 minutes in 70% of cases, are orchestrated by a variety of threat actors, including hacktivists targeting critical infrastructure in sectors such as banking, government, and utilities.

The rise in DDoS attacks poses a significant risk to vital civilian services in countries that oppose the ideologies of these hacktivist groups. Key industries, already under siege from frequent and intense multi-vector attacks, have experienced a 55% increase over the past four years. Richard Hummel, director of threat intelligence at Netscout, emphasized the growing sophistication and coordination of these attacks, making detection and mitigation increasingly challenging for network operations teams.

The report highlights several key trends observed during the first half of 2024, including the increased focus of pro-Russia hacktivist group NoName057(16) on application-layer attacks, the proliferation of bot-infected devices, and the evolution of distributed botnet C2 infrastructure. These developments have led to widespread disruptions across industries on a global scale, underscoring the urgent need for organizations to enhance their DDoS protection strategies.

Netscout’s comprehensive global internet visibility, powered by its ATLAS platform, provides valuable insights into DDoS activities worldwide. With data collected from 216 countries and territories, 470 vertical industries, and over 14,000 ASNs, Netscout is at the forefront of monitoring and analyzing the evolving landscape of cyber threats. As adversaries continue to exploit new networks and autonomous system numbers, organizations must remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding their networks against the growing menace of DDoS attacks.