Q&A on the Connectivity Revolution and the Rise in Cyber Attacks

[Alper Aktaş]

Zayo's 2026 Cybersecurity Report indicates a rapid increase in cyberattacks targeting the manufacturing sector. Specifically, the scale and targeting of distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks are growing. These types of attacks aim to make networks inaccessible to legitimate users by employing a large number of "zombie" devices.

### DDoS Attacks and the Manufacturing Sector

• DDoS targets a website or network with a flood of traffic, often from compromised devices.
• Unlike traditional denial-of-service, DDoS attacks utilize thousands of devices and are more complex.
• Attackers have begun to target critical sectors such as manufacturing directly, in addition to telecommunications.
• The average attack size in manufacturing is the highest at 11.6 Gbps, indicating that even short-term disruptions can have significant operational impact.

### The New Normal in Cybersecurity and Recommendations

• The proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI), IoT devices, and rented botnets has made DDoS attacks a persistent and widespread threat.
• Attacks are now faster and more focused; most conclude within 10 minutes, rendering reactive protection insufficient.
• Real-time, automated attack detection and response systems are essential.
• DDoS protection, SD-WAN, and managed firewall services are recommended as examples for proactive security strategies.
• System visibility and network segmentation should be enhanced, allowing for instant monitoring of traffic flow and rapid blocking of attacks.

### Attack Volume and Metrics

• Attack volume refers to the total periodic attack activity, encompassing both attack frequency and traffic quantity.
• Attack size, furthermore, measures the bandwidth intensity (in Gbps) of a single attack.
• The average attack size has increased by 70%, indicating that attention should be paid not only to the number of attacks but also to their intensity.

In conclusion, the increasing level of connectivity and integration makes the manufacturing sector more vulnerable to DDoS attacks. It is critical for organizations to ensure cybersecurity with proactive and integrated solutions in this new threat landscape.