Corero Network Security has unveiled its 2026 Threat Intelligence Report, revealing a major transformation in Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, with artificial intelligence driving faster, more complex, and harder-to-detect threats.
According to the report, attackers are no longer relying solely on large-scale traffic floods. Instead, they are increasingly deploying low-volume, highly targeted attacks designed to evade traditional detection systems. More than half of sub-1 Gbps attacks are now under 200 Mbps, allowing them to blend seamlessly with legitimate traffic while probing network defenses.
The report also highlights the growing use of ultra-fast “pulse attacks,” some lasting as little as six seconds. These short bursts leave virtually no time for manual response, rendering conventional mitigation strategies ineffective. As a result, organizations relying on human intervention or delayed response mechanisms are becoming increasingly vulnerable.
In addition to speed and stealth, the complexity of attacks has significantly increased. Modern DDoS campaigns can involve more than 50 attack vectors operating simultaneously and adapting in real time. This multi-vector approach enables attackers to continuously adjust their tactics, making detection and mitigation far more challenging.
The findings further reveal a 262% year-over-year increase in peak attack sizes, with terabit-scale attacks now capable of occurring within seconds. Despite this, over 90% of attacks last less than 10 minutes, emphasizing the need for immediate, automated protection.
“These findings show that the industry must rethink its approach to cybersecurity,” said Carl Herberger. “When attacks are fast, stealthy, and adaptive, there is no opportunity for manual response. Protection must be always-on and capable of stopping threats in real time.”
The report underscores a clear shift in cybersecurity strategy. Organizations must move beyond threshold-based detection and adopt continuous monitoring, automated defense systems, and real-time mitigation capabilities to effectively combat modern threats.
As AI continues to evolve, so too will cyberattacks—making proactive, intelligent defense systems essential for maintaining service availability and network resilience.
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