- Rising threat of DDoS attacks amidst Australia’s increasing digitalisation.
- Government investments and regulations aim to strengthen national security.
- Businesses must adopt strong measures to mitigate DDoS threats.
Australia faces evolving cyber threats with rise in DDoS attacks
The security landscape in Australia is changing rapidly, driven by increasing digitalisation and the corresponding rise in cyber threats. Among these threats, Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks have emerged as a significant concern for Australian businesses and organisations. This article explores the current security landscape in Australia and examines the impact of DDoS attacks on the country.
Also read: DDoS attacks on Russian apps underscore cybersecurity vulnerabilities
Partnering with cybersecurity experts is one of the most effective ways to counter the rising threat of DDoS attacks. Outcomex, in collaboration with Radware, offers tailored and scalable solutions designed to help Australian businesses maintain a strong security posture amidst these threats.
The recent rise in DDoS attacks directed at Australia highlights the need for good cyber practices but also great cyber services that effectively nullify this kind of attempt on your defences.
Mark Spencer, National Security Business Manager at Outcomex
DDoS attacks are large-scale attempts to flood an organisation’s network with malicious traffic in a short period, effectively causing restricted or no access to their own sites. These attacks often target larger organisations, such as educational institutions or government agencies, by overloading their systems with too many requests, leading to slow performance or even a complete shutdown. DDoS attacks, although criminalised in Australia and many other regions, including India, the UK, and the United States, continue to pose a major threat. Despite Australia’s standing as the fifth most advanced cyber nation, it was the third most targeted country for DDoS attacks as of 2021.
Australia’s response to growing DDoS threats and the role of Outcomex
To combat these increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, Australia has made significant investments in cybersecurity. In 2020, the federal government announced a AUD$1.67 billion investment to enhance its cybersecurity capabilities. The Security Legislation Amendment Act of 2021 was also introduced to establish a new regulatory framework for larger and nationally recognised organisations, including banks and government bodies. Smaller businesses have not been overlooked; they can access assistance through the Cyber Security Best Practice Regulation Taskforce, which aims to help them improve their technical capabilities and meet cybersecurity standards as Australia transitions to a more digitalised society by 2030.
Mitigating DDoS attacks: Steps for businesses
To reduce the risks posed by DDoS attacks, Australian organisations must implement effective security measures. These include reducing their attack surface to limit the points attackers can target, increasing bandwidth to handle higher traffic volumes, and building data centres on multiple networks. Firewalls can provide basic protection but should not be the sole defence mechanism. Furthermore, educating employees on cybersecurity best practices, such as password management and phishing awareness, is essential. Monitoring network traffic closely allows businesses to identify potential attacks early and take necessary precautions to minimise impact. By adopting these measures, Australian organisations can strengthen their resilience against DDoS attacks and maintain a strong security posture.
Also read: Does a firewall protect against DDoS attacks?
By leveraging Outcomex’s expertise, organisations can better protect themselves from evolving cyber threats and ensure their operations continue without disruption.
