NETSCOUT’s 1H2024 DDoS Threat Intelligence Report: Southern Africa Under Siege

In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, the latest findings from NETSCOUT’s 1H2024 Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Threat Intelligence Report (TIR) reveal a troubling trend: Southern Africa is emerging as a significant hotspot for DDoS attacks. This alarming increase in cyber threats is not only a regional concern but also aligns with a global surge in DDoS activity, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures across the continent.

A Global Surge in DDoS Activity

The NETSCOUT report indicates a staggering 43% increase in application-layer attacks and a 30% rise in volumetric attacks worldwide during the first half of 2024. This global trend is mirrored in Southern Africa, where critical sectors such as finance, government, and utilities are increasingly targeted by both local and international adversaries, including hacktivists. The sophistication of these attacks is rising, with cybercriminals employing advanced technologies like bot-infected devices and distributed command-and-control (C2) infrastructures to launch multi-vector assaults.

Bryan Hamman, NETSCOUT’s regional director for Africa, emphasizes the gravity of the situation: “Southern Africa is increasingly in the crosshairs of coordinated, large-scale DDoS attacks that disrupt vital services and threaten to undermine economic growth. Businesses and governments alike need to take urgent action to defend against these threats.”

South Africa: A Major Target in EMEA

As the economic powerhouse of Southern Africa, South Africa has become one of the top five most targeted countries in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region. The NETSCOUT report reveals that South Africa experienced a staggering 230,416 DDoS attacks in the first half of 2024, with one single attack employing 28 different attack vectors.

The telecommunications sector was particularly hard hit, facing 54,455 attacks in the wireless domain and 1,147 in wired services. Other sectors, including computer-related services, insurance agencies, and even beauty salons, also reported significant attack volumes, underscoring the indiscriminate nature of these cyber threats.

Namibia: A Different Attack Strategy

While South Africa leads in attack volume, Namibia recorded 76,337 DDoS attacks, characterized by their sophistication. Attackers employed up to 16 different vectors, including DNS and CLDAP amplification, with the largest attack reaching 9.08 Gbps in bandwidth. The most targeted sectors included full-service restaurants and telecommunications, indicating a cross-sector vulnerability that requires attention.

Angola: High-Intensity Threats

Angola faced the third highest number of DDoS attacks in Southern Africa, totaling 14,281 in the first half of 2024. The largest attack peaked at 36.79 Gbps, with attackers utilizing up to 19 vectors. The data processing and hosting sector was particularly affected, enduring over 2,700 attacks, with an average attack duration of 161 minutes. This persistence highlights the need for robust defenses against such high-intensity threats.

Mozambique: Emerging Threats

Mozambique’s DDoS landscape saw 3,145 attacks, with the largest reaching 6.06 Gbps. The wireless telecommunications sector was the most targeted, followed by other computer-related services. Attackers frequently employed CLDAP and DNS amplification, with one notable incident utilizing 12 different vectors. The average attack duration was around 13 minutes, indicating a growing trend that could escalate if left unaddressed.

Zambia: Critical Infrastructure at Risk

In Zambia, 428 DDoS attacks were recorded, with the largest reaching 39.21 Gbps. Attackers employed up to 11 vectors, including DNS amplification and TCP SYN/ACK. The wireless telecommunications sector bore the brunt of these attacks, highlighting the vulnerability of critical infrastructure in the face of increasing cyber threats.

Eswatini: Small but Vulnerable

Despite its smaller size, Eswatini is not immune to the surge in DDoS attacks. The country experienced 209 attacks in the first half of 2024, with the largest reaching 1.84 Gbps. Attackers utilized up to seven vectors, including DNS amplification and TCP SYN. The average attack duration was just over nine minutes, emphasizing the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures even in smaller nations.

Zimbabwe: Telecommunications Under Siege

Zimbabwe recorded 189 DDoS attacks, with the largest reaching 11.77 Gbps. The wireless telecommunications sector was the most impacted, with attacks averaging 732 minutes in duration. The evolving threat landscape is evident, as attackers employed multi-vector strategies to disrupt services.

Looking Ahead: Strengthening Cyber Resilience

The findings from NETSCOUT’s 1H2024 TIR serve as a stark reminder that Southern Africa is becoming an increasingly prominent target for cyberattacks. The report calls for immediate action to enhance DDoS protection strategies, particularly in light of the growing complexity and scale of attacks.

“Southern Africa must bolster its cyber resilience,” concludes Hamman. “As cyberattacks become more sophisticated, it is crucial for organizations of all types to build a more robust cybersecurity framework. NETSCOUT’s data provides invaluable insights that can help the region stay ahead of these evolving threats.”

In conclusion, the rise of DDoS attacks in Southern Africa is a clarion call for businesses, governments, and organizations to prioritize cybersecurity. By investing in advanced protective measures and fostering a culture of cyber awareness, the region can better defend against the growing tide of cyber threats that threaten its economic stability and security.