In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, DDoS attacks are a persistent threat that organizations must constantly defend against. However, some attacks stand out due to their sheer duration and intensity. Today, we explore the story of an EMEA bank that faced one of the longest DDoS attacks ever recorded—a relentless 40-day assault that did not stop for even a millisecond.
The Unexpected Marathon
This EMEA bank, one of the top three banks in its country, serves millions of people daily. When the attack first began, the bank's security team did not anticipate the ordeal that lay ahead. They were accustomed to DDoS attacks lasting a few hours or days at most. However, this attack was different. It continued unabated for 40 days, testing the resilience and fortitude of the bank's cybersecurity defenses.
All IPs Were From Within the Country
One of the most surprising aspects of this attack was that all the malicious traffic originated from sources within the bank's own country. Many organizations rely on geo-blocking to protect themselves from DDoS attacks, effectively blocking traffic from unrelated countries. But in this scenario, geo-blocking was not a viable option. Blocking traffic from within the country would have meant shutting down the bank's online services entirely, leaving millions of customers without access to essential banking services.
The Need for Advanced Protection
This unprecedented attack highlighted the critical need for dedicated and advanced protection against Web DDoS attacks. Common approaches such as geo-blocking and rate limiting were insufficient to handle the complexity and persistence of this threat. Instead, the bank needed AI-based algorithms capable of precise detection of malicious traffic, regardless of its origin, vector, or protocol.
Lessons Learned
The 40-day DDoS attack on the EMEA bank serves as a stark reminder of the importance of robust cybersecurity measures. Organizations must be prepared for the unexpected and invest in advanced technologies that can ensure business continuity even under the most severe attacks. AI-driven solutions offer the precision and adaptability needed to distinguish between legitimate and malicious traffic, providing a reliable defense against evolving threats.
Conclusion
As cyber threats continue to grow in sophistication and frequency, the story of the EMEA bank's 40-day DDoS attack underscores the necessity of staying ahead of potential attacks. Radware’s advanced protection solutions are designed to meet these challenges head-on, ensuring that organizations can maintain their operations and safeguard their digital assets. In the face of relentless cyber threats, proactive and intelligent defense mechanisms are not just an option—they are a necessity.