Security Articles

Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks flood target networks with an overwhelming number of requests all at once, resulting in a denial of service that can shut down Internet connectivity across all verticals. They are particularly troublesome since attacks continually evolve to overcome existing defensive measures.

From 2022 to 2023, Radware reported a 120% increase in DDoS attacks, along with a 60% increase in large attack vectors and a staggering 770% increase in malicious web transactions. The rise in DDoS attack scale is partly due to the availability of large-scale IoT botnets—networks of compromised devices collaborating in attacks. These sophisticated assaults leverage vast botnet networks, made possible by the proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

These attacks are not mere inconveniences. They have substantial repercussions. The costs of downtime alone can be staggering, averaging $6,130 per minute or $367,800 per hour. Beyond financial losses, successful DDoS attacks can also harm reputations and lead to regulatory violations. Any organization with an online Internet presence is susceptible.

DDoS attacks come in various forms, continually evolving to bypass countermeasures. Volumetric attacks flood networks with data, crippling operations. Application layer (L7) attacks target specific applications, slowly draining resources. Protocol attacks exploit network protocol vulnerabilities. However, Zero-Day DDoS attacks are the most challenging to detect since they are entirely new and lack pre-existing signatures.

Tactics of the attacks can also vary. For example, Carpet-Bombing attacks target multiple addresses, while Burst Attacks strike suddenly and deliver intense but short-lived traffic surges, sometimes repeating at various intervals, and SSL Floods overwhelm servers with numerous SSL handshakes, all causing network or server resource depletion.

With 31% of organizations facing daily or weekly attacks and 60% encountering attacks monthly, the challenge is substantial, particularly amid a shortage of cybersecurity experts. Given the diversity of DDoS threats and the anticipation of new forms of attack, comprehensive protection is essential. Solutions must defend both network and application layers against current and future attacks.

7 Things You Need to Effectively Shield Against DDoS Attacks

When choosing an effective DDoS protection solution, look for one that is easily deployable with real-time monitoring to swiftly identify multiple attack-type signatures whether known or new and performs detection/mitigation before the bad traffic reaches your Internet edge. It should mitigate attacks by swiftly rerouting malicious traffic to minimize or eliminate disruption so that you are often unaware that an attack is underway.

Lightpath’s LP DDoS Shield is a leading solution that employs sophisticated technologies to detect , model, and mitigate a myriad of known sophisticated DDoS threats, along with crucial technology to identify and mitigate new types of attacks as they arise.

Using behavior-based detection, employing Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), LP DDoS Shield uses Radware’s patented technologies that identify Zero-Day (new) attacks and adapt to evolving threats, dynamically adjusting mitigation strategies based on attack context. Leveraging global detection networks, defenses against emerging new threats are automatically deployed to all users. LP DDoS Shield provides a holistic defense strategy, safeguarding against a wide array of advanced DDoS attacks. Benefits of this solution include:

Consistent 360-Degree Defense: Patented technology, coupled with threat intelligence, offers a consistent shield against both known and emerging threats across all environments and entry points. This ensures that businesses remain secure regardless of their network configurations or deployment scenarios.

Intelligent Protection: LP DDoS Shield leverages AI and ML algorithms for automated, real-time protections. These algorithms continuously evolve to adapt to new attack vectors, providing intelligent and adaptive defense mechanisms for known and unknown attack types.

Rapid Detection and Mitigation: With LP DDoS Shield, detection and mitigation of DDoS attacks occur swiftly and efficiently. Advanced algorithms identify new attack patterns in real-time, ensuring proactive defense against evolving threats.

User-Friendly Portal: LP DDoS Shield offers a user-friendly customer portal, providing real-time reports and attack insights. This empowers Users with visibility and control.

Fully Managed Expert Service: As a fully managed service, LP DDoS Shield users can navigate the complexities of DDoS cybersecurity with confidence. Security experts are available 24/7 to assist during attacks if needed and provide guidance during peacetime.

Minimized Latency with ISP: As your Internet Service Provider (ISP) LP DDoS Shield is seamlessly integrated with the Lightpath core network. This enables us to deliver the fastest detection and mitigation without “extra hops,” which can add latency to traffic that would otherwise be rerouted to external scrubbing centers. With Lightpath, DDoS attacks are monitored and mitigated before they get to your Internet connectivity for optimal performance, even during attack scenarios. As an added benefit, support is streamlined with a single team for Internet service and DDoS mitigation.

With LP DDoS Shield, organizations can experience superior DDoS protection backed by advanced technology, intelligent defense mechanisms, and comprehensive support. It offers a proactive and robust defense against the ever-evolving landscape of DDoS cyber threats, making it the ultimate choice for safeguarding critical Internet connectivity.

To learn more, visit lightpathfiber.com/ddos.