DDoS attacks pose a “significant threat” as 20,000 incidents reported in 2023
New data from NETSCOUT points to significant financial value within igaming industry as key driver for malicious actors
The post DDoS attacks pose a “significant threat” as 20,000 incidents reported in 2023 first appeared on EGR Intel.
A study has described the igaming industry as a “prime target” for DDoS attacks, with the sector continuing to attract a “diverse range of threat actors globally”.
NETSCOUT’s new ‘DDoS Threat Intelligence Report’ has suggested there were 20,551 DDoS attacks against companies in the gambling industry last year.
The company said the gambling sector’s main allure for malicious hackers is its “substantial financial value”.
NETSCOUT also pointed to the intertwined relationship between esports and gambling, with major tournaments coinciding with DDoS attacks on operators.
Overall, the cybersecurity solutions company reported more than 13 million DDoS attacks in 2023, with key spikes around international conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Speaking to EGR, NETSCOUT threat intelligence lead Richard Hummel said DDoS attacks posed a “significant threat” to the igaming industry.
He explained: “These organisations experience significant collateral damage when their servers, hosting tens of thousands of users, are targeted by waves of DDoS attacks.
“The heightened frequency and sophistication of DDoS attacks against the industry highlights the importance of implementing robust cybersecurity measures. These attacks are not just capable of disrupting gambling and igaming activities, but also of compromising critical operational and data security.
“Successfully defending against such attacks necessitates a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy involving advanced protection measures and user awareness to counter the growing threat. What’s more, gambling and igaming companies, cybersecurity experts and regulators must work together to combat the ever-growing threat posed by DDoS attacks.
“This collaborative effort is imperative not just for maintaining but also for strengthening a secure and fair gambling and igaming environment,” Hummel added.
NETSCOUT’s report comes two months after Continent 8 reported a dip in DDoS attacks on its clients in Q4 2023.
The supplier noted the downturn corresponded to the FIFA World Cup in Q4 2022, which led to bad actors attempting to cause disruption across the industry.
The post DDoS attacks pose a “significant threat” as 20,000 incidents reported in 2023 first appeared on EGR Intel.
EGR Intel
[shorturl]
[/shorturl]
