Africa: DDoS Attacks in MENA Surge 211% in Q2 2024, Financial Sector Emerges as Primary Target

In the second quarter of 2024, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region saw a dramatic 211% increase in Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks compared to the previous year, according to a recent report by StormWall. This rise places MENA as the second-highest region globally for attack growth.

The surge in attacks coincides with heightened geopolitical tensions and a shift towards profit-driven cybercriminal activities. The financial sector has become the most targeted, accounting for 38% of all DDoS incidents and experiencing a staggering 268% increase from the previous year. StormWall’s analysis highlights that while hacktivism is declining, financial institutions are increasingly targeted for their high-value data and resources.

The financial and payment services sector bore the brunt of these attacks, with a significant 268% increase in DDoS traffic. The retail sector followed, representing 19% of attacks with a 192% rise. Government services, once the most targeted sector, now rank third with 16% of attacks and a 153% increase year-over-year.

The entertainment industry has also seen a notable increase in DDoS attacks, accounting for 10% of incidents in MENA. Attacks on this sector surged by 211% year-over-year, with online gaming and streaming services being primary targets. Notably, attacks on the gaming industry spiked by 62% in June 2024, raising concerns about potential disruptions to the Esports World Cup in the UAE, running from July 3 to August 25.

In terms of attack methods, there was a diversification in tactics during Q2 2024. Carpet bombing attacks surged by 192% compared to the previous quarter, while DNS-based attacks increased by 68%, and UDP flood attacks rose by 37%.

Country-specific data reveals that the United Arab Emirates was the most targeted, experiencing 27% of the attacks, followed by Saudi Arabia (14%) and Kuwait (12%). The high number of attacks in these countries is attributed to their large economies and rapidly advancing digital infrastructure.

StormWall experts indicate that the shift towards profit-driven attacks has made the DDoS threat landscape in MENA more unpredictable. Unlike politically motivated hacktivists who primarily target government services, profit-driven attackers can target any industry at any time. The experts advise that securing reliable DDoS protection in advance is crucial for mitigating these evolving threats.