In this blog post, we will delve into the statistics of web attacks in 2023 and make some predictions for 2024. The focus will be on web application security, DDoS attacks, and bot attacks.
Web Application Security in 2023
Web application security has been a major concern for organizations in 2023. According to statistics, 41% of organizations suffered API security incidents in the last year. These incidents have serious consequences, with 63% resulting in data breaches. API attacks emerged as the #1 threat vector in 2022, highlighting the importance of securing APIs. Furthermore, web application attacks were involved in 26% of all breaches, indicating the need for robust web application security measures. Software security flaws were another major source of cyberattacks, accounting for attacks in about 47% of organizations.
DDoS Attacks in 2023
DDoS attacks have seen a significant increase in 2023. There was a 117% year-over-year increase in network-layer DDoS attacks. The scale of these attacks has also been growing, with the largest DDoS attack peaking above 71 million requests per second (rps), exceeding Google’s previous world record of 46M rps by 55%. A massive 1.3 Tbps (terabits per second) DDoS attack targeted a South American Telecommunications provider, demonstrating the potential damage these attacks can cause. Cisco predicted that the number of DDoS attacks globally per year would double from 7.9 million in 2018 to 15.4 million in 2023, indicating a growing threat.
Bot Attacks in 2023
Bot attacks have been another major source of web attacks in 2023. Bots and human fraud farms were responsible for billions of attacks in the H1 of 2023 and into Q3, comprising 73% of all website and app traffic. In 2022, bot traffic accounted for more than 40% of the total internet traffic. The cost of bot traffic, as measured through digital ad fraud, is projected to reach $100 billion in 2023, highlighting the financial impact of these attacks.
Predictions for 2024
- Web Application Security
Given the rise in API security incidents and their role in data breaches, there will likely be an increased focus on securing APIs in 2024. This could include measures such as implementing stricter authentication and authorization protocols, and regular security audits. With software security flaws accounting for a significant number of cyberattacks, there will likely be a greater emphasis on secure coding practices and regular vulnerability assessments. Organizations may also invest in tools and technologies to detect and mitigate web application attacks.
- DDoS Attacks
Given the year-over-year increase in network-layer DDoS attacks and the scale of these attacks, it's likely that we'll continue to see an increase in both the frequency and size of DDoS attacks in 2024. In response to the growing threat of DDoS attacks, organizations will likely invest in improved DDoS mitigation strategies. This could include measures such as implementing more robust network infrastructure and leveraging cloud-based DDoS protection services. Organizations may also invest in training and awareness programs to help employees recognize and respond to DDoS attacks.
- Bot Attacks
Given that bot traffic accounted for a significant portion of total internet traffic and led to substantial financial losses, it's likely that we'll continue to see an increase in bot traffic in 2024. In response to the rise in bot traffic, there will likely be an increased adoption of bot management solutions. These solutions can help organizations detect and prevent bot attacks, thereby reducing the associated financial losses. Organizations may also invest in training and awareness programs to help employees recognize and respond to bot attacks.
Conclusion
As we move into 2024, web application security, DDoS attacks, and bot attacks will continue to be major areas of concern for organizations. By understanding the trends and statistics from 2023, organizations can better prepare for the future and implement effective strategies to mitigate these threats.
