Nokia Researchers Record Unprecedented Growth of DDoS Attacks on Telecom Networks

Nokia Predicts Surge in DDoS Attacks on Telecommunication Networks

Telecommunication networks are increasingly falling prey to Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks through Internet of Things (IoT) devices, warns a new report by Nokia. The Threat Intelligence Report 2023 predicts that IoT devices, which are created for consumer use, including smart home systems, vehicles, medical devices, smart clothes, and devices with remote monitoring capabilities, will be the primary target for cybercriminals.

As per the report, the number of IoT-based DDoS attacks will see a rapid rise, where a single attack can generate malicious traffic that is equivalent to 50,000 PCs. The report highlights that the lack of security awareness among consumers and manufacturers, along with the greater number of Internet-connected devices, leaves networks quite vulnerable to attacks. It also states that IoT-oriented DDoS attacks increased by 30% in 2020.

Nokia’s experts suggest that the most common IoT-based DDoS attacks focus on domain name system (DNS) and application layer attacks, which together accounted for 72% of all attacks in the second half of 2020. The Threat Intelligence Report 2023 argues that the need for better cybersecurity practices for consumer and enterprise IoT devices has become more evident than ever before.

The report also highlights that network security is paramount for telecom operators, and they must be proactive in implementing protection measures to minimize the risk of network outages. Telecom operators need to adopt automated network security systems that detect, block, and mitigate IoT-based DDoS attacks quickly and efficiently.

In conclusion, the rising trend in IoT-based DDoS attacks on telecommunication networks calls for immediate action by all stakeholders. Consumers must be more aware of their devices’ security, and manufacturers must deploy better security measures in their products. Telecom operators need to stay ahead of cybercriminals by adopting advanced security systems and intensifying their security efforts.

/Reports, release notes, official announcements.