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DDoS as Cover and the Rise of Unified Web Defenses in Europe
Taylor Hawes
December 17, 2025
From the Editor’s Desk
This week’s cybersecurity world reminds us that strategy without execution can leave major gaps open to exploitation. As policy debates continue globally, organisations and governments alike face mounting pressure to prioritise practical cyber defence over rhetoric.
🔎 Deep Brief
DDoS as Cover and the Rise of Unified Web Defenses in Europe
European organizations are preparing for a tougher threat environment in 2026, driven by geopolitical tension, fast AI use by attackers, and wider regulatory pressure. New insights from Link11 show that DDoS attacks are changing purpose. Instead of aiming only to knock services offline, many attacks now act as distractions. While teams focus on restoring availability, attackers move quietly to steal data, abuse access, or place malware. These follow-on actions often stay hidden long after the DDoS traffic stops.
At the same time, API use across finance, retail, and public services is expanding risk. Poorly secured or poorly documented APIs give attackers direct paths into core business systems. Automated attacks that exploit logic flaws or weak controls are expected to rise through 2026.
Security tooling is also shifting. Standalone web firewalls, bot controls, and DDoS filters struggle against multi-step attacks. European firms are moving toward combined web application and API protection platforms that correlate signals across layers. AI-based traffic analysis is becoming standard as large botnets create sudden, complex attack patterns that rule-based tools cannot handle.
Regulators are adding pressure. Rules such as NIS2 and DORA require faster reporting and stronger supply-chain controls, pushing security into daily operations rather than yearly checks.
Takeaway
DDoS alerts should be treated as early warning signs of wider intrusion attempts, supported by unified web defences and continuous monitoring based on behaviour, not static rules.
🧠 Strategy in Action
What the New U.S. National Security Strategy Leaves Out
The latest U.S. National Security Strategy has drawn scrutiny for its limited focus on cyber threats, despite persistent and sophisticated campaigns from long-standing adversaries. Analysts note that critical infrastructure sectors, like transport systems, energy grids, and financial services, remain vulnerable due to under-resourced public-private defence efforts and reductions in federal cyber personnel. Recent operations by advanced threat groups demonstrate that hostile nations continue to embed capabilities in key systems, heightening risks to national resilience and response readiness. The article argues that without rebuilding cyber staffing, restoring collaborative programmes, and integrating offensive and defensive cyber operations into strategy, current policy falls short of defending against real-world digital threats.
Takeaways:
A credible national cyber posture requires sustained investment in talent, public-private partnerships, and a comprehensive strategy that explicitly addresses ongoing operations targeting critical infrastructure.
🕵️ Threat Actor Spotlight
APT16
APT16 is a China-linked threat group tracked by the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the identifier G0023. This actor has been historically observed targeting organisations in Japan and Taiwan, especially through spearphishing campaigns that compromise web infrastructure to stage later actions. Techniques include infrastructure compromise and use of custom tools to support operational goals. The group’s observed activities highlight the importance of monitoring email-based vectors and securing servers against unauthorised use as part of a broader cyber defence programme. Threat intelligence on groups like APT16 helps defenders understand common tactics and prioritise mitigations that can block early stages of intrusion.
🛠️ Tool Check
ITSM Tools Comparison
IT Service Management (ITSM) tools support the delivery and oversight of IT services across incident, change, asset, and service request processes. They help standardize operations, enforce workflows, and improve visibility for IT and security teams. These platforms are also crucial for implementing frameworks such as ITIL and maintaining reliable service delivery.
Popular ITSM solutions include NinjaOne Ticketing Software, SuperOps Service Desk, Freshservice, ServiceNow IT Service Management, Jira Service Management, and SolarWinds Service Desk, among others. These tools vary by automation support, incident handling capabilities, scalability, and integrations with other IT operations systems. Choosing the right ITSM platform often depends on business size, workflow complexity, and the need for compliance or audit readiness.
🗣️ Community Signal
You can lead from your position and help in a positive way, influence up the chain of command. This is true for anyone, especially for those who aspire to be a SOC manager, director, a deputy CISO, a CISO. -Gerald Auger of Cybersecurity Mentors Podcast.
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Until Friday’s edition - Let’s keep that zero-day count at zero!