A distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack occurs every two minutes, and the number of victims that suffered from more than one attack has risen substantially, according to a new report released by security firm NSFOCUS in SecurityWeek. These attacks are not just high profile any longer, and that is a wake-up call to midsize firms, which are a key target for hackers for many reasons. DDoS Too Often NSFOCUS’s research found that 1.29 DDoS attacks strike somewhere online every two minutes. More than 90 percent of the attacks last less than half an hour. NSFOCUS ascertained that attacks generally remained short and did not go past the rate of 50 Mbps. The number of victims suffering more than one DDoS attack went up 30 percent in just a year, rising to 70 percent. Victims who suffered from only one attack went down from 51 percent last year to 31 percent this year. Interestingly, the study found that hacktivism was the key driver behind more than 91 percent of attacks. Also, online gaming communities and financial services are often targets. What Fuels It The survey also found that a lack of sufficient security, including poor passwords, has fueled the success of DDoS attacks. IT professionals at midsize firms have DDoS attacks on their radar screens since reports in the past few years have shown that the attacks are not just for high-profile purposes. Easily executed attacks that can do the most damage are ideal for today’s cybercriminals; that means midsize firms are at risk. Midsize firms are constantly concerned about having sufficient resources, personnel, money and time to remain competitive, so security must be a top priority for IT professionals, and those who work with third-party data centers should inquire what kind of DDoS protection is provided. Those that manage their own data centers must take the right precautions against botnets and application-layer DDoS attacks on the premises of the network. Also, by working with trusted and experienced security vendors, midsize firms can bring their own security to the next level. When all is said and done, firewalls no longer provide enough protection. A Worthy Investment Distributed denial-of-service attacks are growing, and midsize companies are falling victim. Cybercriminals know that they can successfully hit a lot of growing firms at once and make easy money. They know that some midsize firms do not take security seriously because it might be too costly or time-consuming to consider. In the end, the unprepared midsize firm loses resources, time and money to the costly consequences of a DDoS attack. IT professionals must prioritize security to maintain their company’s competitive edge. Source: http://midsizeinsider.com/en-us/article/distributed-denial-of-service-attacks-an

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Distributed Denial-of-Service Attacks and Midsize Firms