Wireline is Now the Most Vulnerable to Cyber Attacks: Netscout
Summary:
According to Netscout’s 2H 2024 DDoS Threat Intelligence Report, Wireline networks were the most frequently targeted by DDoS attacks in the second half of 2024. Between July and December 2024, wired telecommunication carriers faced a total of 524,445 DDoS attacks, significantly higher than the 24,433 attacks against wireless telecommunications carriers during the same period. Despite the growing popularity of smartphone devices, Richard Hummel, director of threat intelligence at Netscout, states that wireline infrastructure still serves as a backbone for internet connectivity in many parts of the world, making it a prime target for threat actors.
Security Officer Comments:
A separate report from Zayo highlights that telecommunication networks serve as test subjects for attackers to refine new DDoS methods before hitting other industries. Given that such networks have a large attack surface area, this makes them suitable targets for actors to launch DDoS attacks.
At the same time, telco companies are increasingly diving into artificial intelligence (AI) to boost efficiency and streamline operations. Although automation may be useful in managing sprawling networks, the adoption of AI could act as a double-edge sword, if not implemented correctly.
According to Hummel, AI is also lowering the barrier for cybercriminals to launch sophisticated attacks. Actors are using tools powered by AI to automate every step of a DDoS attack, from reconnaissance and scanning to execution, making telecommunication networks more susceptible to such attacks.
Suggested Corrections:
In light of the rising threat of DDoS attacks, its important that telco companies adopt a layered security approach which involves real-time traffic monitoring, AI-driven threat detection, and automated response systems. Using techniques like rate limiting and geo-fencing can also be effective at regulating and controlling internet traffic, making it more challenging for actors to launch DDoS attacks.
Link(s):
https://www.fierce-network.com/broadband/wireline-now-most-vulnerable-cyber-attacks-netscout
According to Netscout’s 2H 2024 DDoS Threat Intelligence Report, Wireline networks were the most frequently targeted by DDoS attacks in the second half of 2024. Between July and December 2024, wired telecommunication carriers faced a total of 524,445 DDoS attacks, significantly higher than the 24,433 attacks against wireless telecommunications carriers during the same period. Despite the growing popularity of smartphone devices, Richard Hummel, director of threat intelligence at Netscout, states that wireline infrastructure still serves as a backbone for internet connectivity in many parts of the world, making it a prime target for threat actors.
Security Officer Comments:
A separate report from Zayo highlights that telecommunication networks serve as test subjects for attackers to refine new DDoS methods before hitting other industries. Given that such networks have a large attack surface area, this makes them suitable targets for actors to launch DDoS attacks.
At the same time, telco companies are increasingly diving into artificial intelligence (AI) to boost efficiency and streamline operations. Although automation may be useful in managing sprawling networks, the adoption of AI could act as a double-edge sword, if not implemented correctly.
According to Hummel, AI is also lowering the barrier for cybercriminals to launch sophisticated attacks. Actors are using tools powered by AI to automate every step of a DDoS attack, from reconnaissance and scanning to execution, making telecommunication networks more susceptible to such attacks.
Suggested Corrections:
In light of the rising threat of DDoS attacks, its important that telco companies adopt a layered security approach which involves real-time traffic monitoring, AI-driven threat detection, and automated response systems. Using techniques like rate limiting and geo-fencing can also be effective at regulating and controlling internet traffic, making it more challenging for actors to launch DDoS attacks.
Link(s):
https://www.fierce-network.com/broadband/wireline-now-most-vulnerable-cyber-attacks-netscout