2024 Imperva DDoS Threat Landscape Report

DDoS attacks have existed for a long time and show no sign of disappearing. Cybercriminals intent on causing general disruption, either for political reasons or simply in the name of general hacktivism, often use them as their first attack choice.

Notably, the volume of these attacks is increasing, driven by the easier availability of DDoS tools that allow even individuals with limited technical expertise to launch significant attacks. The shift towards automation in these tools has further lowered the barrier to entry, enabling a broader range of cybercriminals to participate in DDoS activities.

Political tensions also contribute to the prevalence of DDoS attacks, as state actors and activists use these methods to make political statements or signal potential future actions. As such, understanding the motivations and methods behind DDoS attacks is crucial for developing effective defense strategies.

The report leverages intelligence provided by Imperva Threat Research based on data from the application and network-level DDoS attacks we have mitigated. It also provides additional observations based on broader global DDoS activity throughout the year. The insights and recommendations provided in this report are essential for organizations aiming to enhance their cybersecurity posture against the evolving DDoS threat landscape.