Report: DDoS Attacks Rise 46% in First Half of 2024

As we delve deeper into 2024, the landscape of cyber threats continues to evolve, with Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks emerging as a significant concern. According to the Gcore Radar Report for the first half of 2024, there has been a notable 46% increase in DDoS attacks compared to the same period in 2023. This surge in attacks highlights the urgent need for industries to bolster their defenses and stay ahead of these evolving threats.

Key Findings from the Gcore Report

The first half of 2024 saw an alarming rise in the number of DDoS attacks, reaching a staggering 445,000 incidents by the second quarter. This represents a 34% increase from the latter half of 2023, underscoring the escalating nature of these cyber threats. While the most powerful attack recorded in this period reached 1.7 terabits per second (Tbps), a slight increase from 1.6 Tbps in 2023, it still poses a significant risk. To put this into perspective, 1.7 Tbps is equivalent to over 212,000 high-definition video streams being transmitted simultaneously—a capacity that can easily overwhelm even the most robust networks.

Industries Under Siege

Certain industries are more vulnerable to DDoS attacks than others, with the gaming and gambling sector bearing the brunt of the assaults. This industry accounted for nearly half (49%) of all attacks, a reflection of its competitive nature and high financial stakes. The technology sector also saw a significant increase in attacks, doubling to 15% of total incidents. With technology providers hosting critical services like servers and networking resources, disruptions in this sector can have widespread repercussions across multiple industries.

Other sectors, including financial services (12%), telecommunications (10%), and e-commerce (7%), also faced substantial challenges. The interconnectedness of these industries means that an attack on one can have ripple effects, leading to broader disruptions.

Network vs. Application Layer Attacks

DDoS attacks can target different layers of a network, with varying impacts on different industries. Network-layer attacks (Layers 3–4) are particularly detrimental to sectors like gaming, technology, and telecommunications, where real-time data services are crucial. These attacks can lead to significant service interruptions, affecting millions of users and causing widespread disruptions.

On the other hand, application-layer attacks (Layer 7) have a more targeted impact, often focusing on sectors such as financial services, e-commerce, and media. These attacks can disrupt transaction processing and content delivery, leading to financial losses and reputational damage. The challenge in defending against these attacks lies in their complexity—while network-layer attacks often involve IP spoofing, application-layer attacks require more sophisticated tracking and mitigation strategies.

Attack Duration and Personalization

While most DDoS attacks are brief, typically lasting under 10 minutes, their frequency and intensity can cause significant operational disruptions. The longest attack recorded in the first half of 2024 lasted an astounding 16 hours, highlighting the need for robust and responsive mitigation strategies.

Attackers are also increasingly personalizing their methods, tailoring attacks to specific industries to maximize impact. In the gaming industry, for instance, attacks are often shorter but more frequent, aiming to degrade specific servers and drive users to competitors. In contrast, attacks on financial services and telecommunications tend to be more intense and varied in duration, reflecting the high stakes involved in these sectors.

The Need for Global Collaboration

The surge in DDoS attacks in the first half of 2024 underscores the critical need for global collaboration in cybersecurity. As attackers become more sophisticated, industries must adopt advanced, tailored defensive measures to protect against these evolving threats. The Gcore Radar Report serves as a crucial resource for understanding these trends and adapting strategies accordingly. With a network capacity of over 145 Tbps and global coverage, Gcore’s DDoS Protection offers comprehensive safeguards, ensuring business continuity and robust security across vulnerable industries.

In an era where cyber threats are constantly evolving, staying ahead of the curve is essential. The insights from the Gcore Radar Report provide a roadmap for industries to bolster their defenses and safeguard their operations against the growing menace of DDoS attacks.