2021 has seen the telecommunications industry go through a particularly intense period of fragility, with this year thus far seeing the most cyber attacks in telecommunications than any other industry. This can be attributed to lockdowns and social distancing measures brought about by the pandemic, which has seen a drastic rise in online gaming, and dependence on the Internet. These conditions have made communications service providers (CSPs) particularly attractive targets for attackers, due to the sheer volume of network usage, bringing to attention the need for cost-effective access to cybersecurity protection.

CSPs are often too focused on delivering service to consumers that they neglect to protect themselves. This leaves them vulnerable to distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, with its serious consequences eventually trickling down to end users – the consumers.

It is also commonplace for telecommunications companies to be shorthanded, lacking the budget or expertise to focus on strengthening their cybersecurity. This is due to the technical nature of cybersecurity, which requires trained and dedicated teams to specifically manage cybersecurity alone. As such, even while acknowledging a growing demand for DDoS protection for customers, most CSPs have little to no expertise in handling DDoS attacks, let alone the knowledge of running DDoS mitigation as a business.

To add to this challenge, traditional appliance vendors that offer DDoS protection no longer offer the most effective and robust solutions for CSPs, due to their high costs and time consumption. These common pain points often leave CSPs ill-equipped to mitigate cyber attacks, placing both themselves and their customers at high risk.

Cost-effective Cybersecurity Protection
Starting and maintaining an anti-DDoS service is both expensive and challenging for CSPs. In fact, shouldering the cost of a box is just the tip of the iceberg. Other factors such as integration, productisation, customer support and the training of a capable team also come into play. Furthermore, for CSPs to retain key customers and attract new customers to their network, an increasing number of boxes will be needed to keep up, presenting scalability and functional issues. In the event of an attack, traffic can overwhelm the protection service pipeline regardless of the size of the boxes, yet again presenting the need for effective protection to prevent hackers from exploiting traffic and carrying out zero-day attacks.

Recognising these challenges and how telecommunications companies and internet service providers have become frequent victims of DDoS attacks over the past year, Nexusguard offers CSPs a cost-effective alternative to traditional appliance vendors under its Transformational Alliance Program (TAP100).

Under the TAP100 program, Nexusguard is distributing its DDoS Mitigation Platform, the MX7000, a powerful and versatile ‘cloud-in-a-box’ DDoS mitigation solution, to CSPs dealing with impacts brought about by cyber attacks or wishing to add advanced cybersecurity capabilities to their product portfolio. The box is fully and centrally managed by a security operations centre, available 24/7 to ensure that updates and patches are delivered at all times to address any urgent security needs. It also manages and processes data locally, to ensure performance, data sovereignty and that compliance requirements are met.

The MX7000 boxes are complimentary for any CSP looking to launch an anti-DDoS service over the next three years, and the programme comes with over 10 pre-productised managed security services that will protect customers. The cybersecurity solutions provided under TAP100 are delivered within a span of 90 days, helping to reduce total-costs of ownership on technology, operations and cybersecurity staff. By providing a cost-effective alternative for CSPs in protecting against DDoS attacks, CSPs can better focus on their business and delivering to customers.

Additional advantages of the TAP100 program include its ability to act as a sales pipeline accelerator for CSPs. This allows for greater customer acquisition and lead generation as well as greater customer service and protection, enabling CSPs to experience accelerated revenue growth. With its full suite of managed cybersecurity services, CSPs will be better equipped to not only enhance their ability to protect their own network, but also invest in added access to new sales pipelines.

Importance of Anti-DDoS Measures
Given that the current landscape of increased internet dependence is driven by the pandemic and directly affects the vulnerability of the telecommunications industry, there has never been a more crucial and appropriate time for CSPs to look into rolling out anti-DDoS measures.

The potential consequences of CSPs not adopting preemptive anti-DDoS measures, include a higher chance of becoming targets for hackers who are actively improving their methods of attack. Especially since CSPs are often the first resource customers turn to when they are under attack, DDoS protection is no longer a feature that is “nice to have” for customers, but a business necessity in order for CSPs to maintain their edge. As such, CSPs simply cannot afford to put themselves at risk of DDoS attacks, as neglecting to safeguard their consumers’ network access essentially compromises their very bread and butter.

However, in order for CSPs to fully leverage DDoS mitigation programs, they also have to be adequately informed and educated on the need for such solutions to recognise the importance of protecting themselves, thereby protecting their consumers. With Nexusguard, CSPs can offer DDoS protection solutions as a service, move up the cybersecurity value chain and gain access to additional sales pipelines to stay ahead of the game.