European Cybersecurity Threats Rise: DDoS Attacks on the Increase

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European Organizations Face Unrelenting DDoS Threats, Report Reveals

A recent report by Link11, a European IT security provider, has shed light on the escalating threat of distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks in the region. The European Cyber Report 2026 reveals that DDoS attacks have become a persistent menace, with the number of documented attacks in Link11’s network surging by 75% in 2025.

Escalating Threats

The report highlights the alarming increase in the duration and volume of DDoS attacks. The longest recorded attack lasted an unprecedented 12,388 minutes, equivalent to over eight days of continuous bombardment. Moreover, active DDoS attacks were observed 88% of the time, translating to 322 days per year when systems in the Link11 network were under siege.

Shift in Attack Dynamics

The data also indicates a significant shift in attack dynamics, with a greater than 70% probability of an initial attack being followed by at least one additional attack. On average, 2.8 follow-up attacks were recorded after an initial incident, representing an 80% increase compared to the previous year.

Hybrid Approach

Attackers are now employing a hybrid approach, combining massive bandwidth with long-lasting, low-and-slow scenarios. This strategic combination allows them to systematically test protective mechanisms, vary patterns in real-time, and increasingly target the application level. As a result, the size of an attack is no longer the sole determining factor; its endurance and adaptability have become equally critical.

Rethinking Resilience

The report emphasizes the importance of rethinking resilience in the face of these evolving threats. DDoS attacks are no longer merely a technical problem but have a direct impact on revenue, reputation, service level agreements, and regulatory requirements. To counter this, organizations must adopt a holistic approach to their security architecture, incorporating always-on DDoS protection, Web Application & API Protection (WAAP), and automated, AI-powered detection and mitigation.

Key Statistics

509 terabytes of cumulative attack volume, equivalent to the daily data traffic of a medium-sized city or over 170,000 hours of HD video streaming
Three attacks surpassing 1 Tbit/s were recorded in 2025, with the strongest attack measuring 1.33 Tbit/s and over 120 million packets per second
70% of companies targeted in an initial attack are hit again, with an average of 2.8 follow-up attacks recorded after an initial incident

Conclusion

The report’s findings underscore the need for companies to prioritize digital availability and cyber resilience. As the threat landscape continues to evolve, organizations must adapt their security strategies to withstand the constant barrage of technological, operational, and geopolitical attacks.