The European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) has released a pivotal report revealing a significant shift in the cybersecurity landscape: 66% of Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks are now politically motivated. This analysis, based on 310 verified incidents from January 2022 to August 2023, underscores a disturbing trend in the use of DoS attacks in geopolitical conflicts.

The report highlights that the ease, affordability, and aggression of DoS attacks have increased markedly in recent years, fueled by emerging armed conflicts. Government services, particularly in administration, have become prime targets, accounting for 46% of these attacks. Notably, the Russian-Ukrainian war has been a major influence, linked to 50% of the global incidents.

One of the key challenges in tackling DoS attacks is their elusive nature. Unlike other cybersecurity threats, they leave few traces, making detection and analysis difficult. This issue is compounded by the varying quality of information available, ranging from attackers’ reports (the good), protection providers’ data (the bad), to targets’ accounts (the ugly).

In conclusion, ENISA’s report serves as a critical reminder of the evolving nature of cybersecurity threats. With a significant portion of DoS attacks now driven by political motives, understanding these motivations is crucial for developing effective defence strategies.

ENISA Threat Landscape for DoS Attacks report: https://www.enisa.europa.eu/publications/enisa-threat-landscape-for-dos-attacks