DDoS refers to Distributed Denial of Service that involves multiple compromised systems distributed across different locations, and flooding a target system such as website, network, or server with high volume of traffic.
This is to overload the target’s resources, thereby making it inaccessible to legitimate users and potentially causing significant downtime or disruption.
The report shows that, although Nigeria’s computer services sector faced the highest volume of attacks, the scope of cyber threats extended to less traditional targets, including local beauty salons, which experienced 206 incidents, ranking them second in attack frequency.
Data processing and hosting companies followed closely, with 116 attacks, underscoring the pervasive risk across Nigeria’s essential and emerging industries.
As Africa’s leading digital economy, Nigeria’s appeal to cybercriminals has surged, with attackers not only focusing on high-profile targets but also exploring new avenues in industries not typically associated with cyber threats.
NETSCOUT’s Regional Director for Africa, Bryan Hamman, said: “The growing sophistication of cyber threats worldwide is reflected in Nigeria, where attackers are using increasingly complex methods.
“Nigeria has seen as many as 23 different attack vectors in a single event, ranging from TCP and CLDAP (Connection-less Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) to DNS amplification, underscoring the need for a robust cybersecurity framework.”
Nigeria’s experience is part of a wider West African trend, the report indicated.
The telecom sector, particularly wireless telecommunications, has become a frequent target across the region, with countries like Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire facing a high volume of attacks on critical infrastructure.
Ghana, for instance, experienced unprecedented DDoS attack volumes, with peak bandwidths reaching 314.25 Mbps, showcasing the extent of potential disruption from these attacks.
Hamman emphasized the need for Nigeria to adopt proactive and localized cybersecurity strategies.
“The statistics from NETSCOUT’s report underscore the urgency of developing country-specific defences to protect Nigeria’s foundational industries.
