Netscout carries out studies and statistical analysis on dedicated denial of service attacks (commonly known as DDoS attacks) that occur worldwide in the main networks of more than 190 countries. According to the latest report published by Netscout, the number of cyberattacks has increased alarmingly, something that we can directly relate to the war between Ukraine and Russia.
Netscout report main results
Some important data that we can extract from this interesting report on cyberattacks are:
Evolution of cyberattacks against Ukraine
It is noted that cyberattacks against Ukraine increased greatly just before the conflict, and in the first weeks of it. Gradually, while the Ukrainian infrastructures were being destroyed or moved out, the cyberattacks were decreasing.
Increase in cyberattacks against Ireland
Many of the Ukrainian technological infrastructures were transferred to Ireland, so a great increase in hostile actions against this country can be seen.
Retaliation against Russia
Russia is the clear aggressor in this conflict, invading Ukrainian territory. The report reveals a large wave of cyberattacks against Russia when the war began, although it also shows a large increase in these actions against Russia since 2021 (coinciding with national elections and early discussions of invading Ukraine)
Finland and its possible entry into NATO
Another revealing fact provided by this Netscout report is the increase in DDoS attacks against Finnish companies and infrastructures from the moment of the announcement of its intention to join NATO.
Other data of interest
Let’s look at other valuable information provided by this report on cyberattacks worldwide:
- Increase in cyberattacks against Taiwan after the tension with China.
- Cyberattacks in North America remained at their usual figures.
- Satellite telecommunications providers experienced an increase in high-impact DDoS attacks.
- Major proliferation of malware botnets (21,226 nodes tracked to 488,381 nodes from first quarter to second quarter of 2022).
- Increased use of DDoS-for-hire providers, with the aim of stealing valuable data and carrying out ransomware attacks (kidnapping information asking for a payment in cryptocurrencies).
Geopolitical tensions involving Russia and Ukraine
The Russian tactical operation against Ukraine has become a real war conflict that is having great and negative repercussions worldwide (increase in prices, problems with logistics, energy crisis, geopolitical tensions…).
We can see how in this conflict, a cybernetic battle is also taking place, where the attack on the enemy’s technological infrastructures becomes essential to weaken it and gain an advantage.
In this warlike network environment, botnets have become a weapon used by both factions to disable important enemy structures (such as communication networks, control centers…)
We can conclude that the Netscout report reveals the seriousness of the war between Russia and Ukraine, which also involves other countries and regions (such as Europe, the United States, or China itself).
There has been a notable increase in denial of service attacks since the beginning of the war, which has affected the countries directly involved (Ukraine and Russia), as well as others that are not at war (such as Ireland or Finland).
