How to survive a DDoS attack and defend your network?

A DDoS attack can cripple your business. Here is how to assess risks, activate defences, and implement a response plan to protect your network.

- SVEN H DUMMER & SANDEEP RATH

In today’s hyperconnected world, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks are no longer rare incidents. Cybercriminals use increasingly sophisticated techniques to disrupt businesses, damage reputations, and compromise critical online services.

The stakes have never been higher. So, what should you do if you find yourself under attack?

But first things first.

DDoS attacks occur when malicious actors flood a network with traffic, overwhelming its resources and rendering its services unavailable. These attacks are sometimes used for extortion; attackers demand a ransom to stop the flood of malicious traffic. In some cases, attackers use DDoS as a smokescreen to launch even more malicious activities, such as data breaches or malware deployments.

Although DDoS attacks have existed for years, they have recently grown in both size and complexity. Between 2021 and 2023, the number of large DDoS attacks increased by nearly 50%, and 2024 is on track to break this record yet again.

Traditional mitigation is no longer enough. To withstand modern DDoS threats, businesses need always-on defences, edge-based firewalls, and resilient DNS.

Today, DDoS-as-a-service offerings make it easier for any would-be attacker to deploy these disruptive assaults. Traditional mitigation techniques are no longer enough for many organisations to stop the deluge.

THE 7 STEPS TO MITIGATING A DDOS ATTACK