Network Visibility as a Key Factor in DDoS Defense

What is DDoS?

A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack is a cyberattack where multiple compromised systems, often part of a botnet, flood a target, such as a server or network, with overwhelming traffic. This excessive load causes the target to become slow or completely unavailable, disrupting services for legitimate users. Often, DDoS attacks are used to sabotage businesses or as a form of extortion.

Understanding the DDoS Landscape in the DACH Region

In the second quarter of 2024, the DACH region—Germany, Austria, and Switzerland—experienced a noticeable spike in these incidents, disrupting services by overwhelming networks with illegitimate traffic. To put the local numbers in perspective, Germany saw a 30% increase in attacks compared to the same period last year, while Austria experienced an alarming 66% jump. Switzerland, although less affected, still noted a 25% rise. Particularly concerning is the rise in ransom-based DDoS attacks, which involve attackers threatening to disrupt services unless a ransom is paid. In May 2024, 16% of targeted organizations reported such extortion attempts.

This trend underscores a critical challenge for companies across sectors, especially those in IT and telecommunications: many still lack adequate visibility into their own networks. Without this comprehensive insight, it’s nearly impossible to detect and respond effectively to these sophisticated, large-scale attacks.

Why Traditional Security Solutions Fail

DDoS attacks are designed to overwhelm. They typically involve a massive flood of requests directed at a single target, often through botnets—networks of compromised devices controlled by malicious actors. This surge in traffic can take down websites, disrupt services, and even cause cascading failures across an organization’s entire infrastructure.

Many companies rely on traditional defenses like firewalls or IDS (Intrusion Detection Systems) and IPS (Intrusion Prevention Systems) to protect themselves. But these tools have their limitations:

• Firewalls/EDRs: These act as gatekeepers, blocking or allowing traffic based on pre-set rules. But during a DDoS attack, when the volume of incoming requests looks legitimate, a firewall can be overwhelmed, allowing malicious traffic through.
• IDS/IPS: These systems scan for known signatures—patterns that match previously seen attacks. While useful against repeat offenders, they falter when faced with new or evolving threats.

The problem is that DDoS attacks aren’t static. They evolve, leveraging unfamiliar patterns, unconventional techniques, and multiple attack vectors to avoid detection. Relying solely on traditional, rule-based systems can leave a company blind to sophisticated or novel attacks.

Network Detection and Response (NDR) As An Answer

To counter these challenges, a different approach is needed—one that’s less reliant on static rules and more attuned to detecting unusual behavior patterns. That’s when NDR, like ExeonTrace, comes in.

Unlike traditional systems, ExeonTrace doesn’t just look for known threats. It continuously learns what “normal” traffic looks like within a network and flags any deviations, making it particularly effective against DDoS attacks. Here’s a closer look at how NDR works:

1. Full Traffic Monitoring: ExeonTrace monitors and analyzes all data traffic within and as well as entering or leaving the network. This all-encompassing view makes it possible to spot even subtle signs of an attack.
2. Behavior-Based Analysis: It uses machine learning algorithms to establish a baseline for typical network behavior. If an influx of traffic suddenly spikes or specific protocols are being abused, the system raises a red flag.
3. Real-Time Response: ExeonTrace can instantly classify suspicious traffic and allow the SOC team to take immediate countermeasures—such as throttling or rerouting traffic—to minimize the impact of these attacks before it brings the network down.

How NDR Outperforms Traditional Solutions

There are three main areas where it stands out:

• Comprehensive Visibility: It’s not just about seeing the traffic but understanding it in depth. With NDR, companies can drill down into who’s sending data, what protocols are being used, and where potential anomalies might be hiding.
• Real-Time Context: Because it can maintain historical data, it doesn’t just react to current events; it understands them in the broader context of past network activity. This context is crucial for recognizing patterns that might indicate a looming attack.
• Adaptive Learning: Traditional defenses rely on known attack signatures. NDR, on the other hand, is built to evolve. Its behavior-based approach means it can detect brand-new attack vectors that would otherwise go unnoticed.

NDR’s Role in Defending Against Ransom DDoS Attacks

Conclusion: Why Network Visibility is Essential for Modern Security

The rise of complex DDoS attacks—often spread across multiple vectors and utilizing sophisticated evasion techniques—makes a traditional, static approach to defense insufficient. Network visibility, powered by ExeonTrace, for instance, provides the depth and breadth of monitoring necessary to stay ahead of these threats.