A DDoS, or Distributed Denial of Service, attack involves cybercriminals intentionally overwhelming a server with data in order to use up all its bandwidth. With all the server’s bandwidth occupied, VoIP activities and all internet activity grinds to a halt. Disruptions like this can seriously affect a company’s day-to-day operations, as well as its bottom line.
Unfortunately, DDoS attacks are only becoming more common. The equipment needed to carry out a DDoS attack is becoming more advanced, which makes executing these attacks cheaper and faster for cybercriminals. In fact, 70 percent of organizations surveyed by Corero said that they experience approximately 20-50DDoS attacks per month. And according to the security company Cloudflare, the average cost of a successful DDoS attack is around $100,000 per hour. So, what can you do to adequately address these attacks when they happen?
First and foremost, it’s important to identify DDoS attacks early. The sooner you’re able to recognize a problem, the sooner you can work to fix it, right? Set yourself up for success by appointing a DDoS czar at your company, a.k.a. someone whose responsibility it is to act should you come under attack.
Once an attack starts, there are several steps you can take to mitigate the damage:
- Overprovision bandwidth: Though keeping a reserve of bandwidth for emergency situations is unlikely to halt a DDoS attack in its tracks, it can but you the valuable time you'll need to contact security experts.
- Contact your ISP: Generally, your ISP (Internet Service Provider) is responsible for the security of you network connection and will have staff on hand who can help to mitigate the damage of a DDoS attack. Contacting your ISP and making them aware of the attack should be one of your top priorities.
- Reach out to a DDoS specialist: Because DDoS attacks are so complex, you'll need the help of an experienced expert to get things back under control. Part of the planning you can do before cybercriminals strike is establishing a partnership with a credible DDoS specialist, like the experts at MindPoint Group, who'll be able to come to your aid should you experience an attack.
