AI & Automation: Nokia Report Shows Growth in Complex DDoS

With cybercriminals constantly evolving, a Nokia report shows they're now leveraging cutting-edge technology to breach defences.

Unveiling its tenth Threat Intelligence Report, this report offers a deep dive into the changing dynamics of cyber threats, especially those menacing the telecom world.

The study reveals an alarming surge in Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, with perpetrators now deploying AI and automation to amplify their assault, targeting companies’ vulnerabilities.

Over a year, from June 2023 to June 2024, the frequency of these attacks skyrocketed, inundating networks with over a hundred DDoS attacks each day, a dramatic leap from the earlier average of one to two.

DDoS attacks, designed to flood systems with excess traffic and hence disable them, are now a significant menace to telecom infrastructures. The lion’s share of these assaults, around 60%, originates from botnets – vast armies of hijacked computers commandeered by attackers.

The IoT and AI Double-Edged Sword

The explosion of Internet of Things (IoT) gadgets significantly fuels the DDoS attack uptick.

Hundreds of thousands of these devices, from the innocuous-looking smart fridge to your fitness tracker, often come with paltry security measures. When paired with high-speed internet, they become perfect conduits for malware dissemination.

Simultaneously, cybercriminals are capitalising on Gen AI and automation to sophisticate their campaigns. Interestingly, the same tech is enabling communication service providers to beef up their defence mechanisms, marking a tech-driven arms race against cyber threats.

Varying Threat Landscapes Globally

Not all regions face the cyber onslaught equally, Nokia’s report points out.

In North America, home to vast swathes of telecom and corporate infrastructure, the brunt of DDoS attacks is felt hardest, accounting for about one-third of global incidents.

One notable incident was dubbed the largest DDoS attack on American telecom operators, causing widespread network disruptions.

Meanwhile, East Asia grapples with rampant data leaks, often self-inflicted by companies, whereas Western Europe deals with a blend of cyber espionage and financially-driven cybercrimes.

New worrying trends are on the rise, including threats targeting System-on-Chips (SoCs).

These compact, power-efficient chips, which integrate several computer components, are now in cybercriminals’ crosshairs, looking to exploit any chink in their firmware, software, or hardware interfaces.

Quantum computing is another frontier of concern, with institutions like the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) spearheading initiatives to mitigate potential quantum computing threats.

Rodrigo Brito, Nokia’s cyber safety chief, underscores the pressing need for a united front in cybersecurity, asserting, "The use of Gen AI and automation for nefarious purposes is leading to a stepwise increase in malicious actors' capabilities and threat potential. “The Threat Intelligence findings further reinforce the need for operators, vendors, and regulators to work more collaboratively to develop more robust network security measures, practices, and awareness."

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