Record-Breaking 1.3 Tbps DDoS Attack in Poland Neutralized: Largest Cyber Threat in Polish History

The Polish internet infrastructure recently withstood an unprecedented distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack measuring an astonishing 1.3 terabits per second – marking the largest such attack ever recorded in the country. Security teams have been battling this extensive cyber assault over several days, effectively neutralizing what would have otherwise caused significant disruption to digital services nationwide.

This record-breaking attack has already overshadowed previous incidents documented in the CERT Orange Polska Report for 2024, establishing a new benchmark for cybersecurity threats in the region.

Attack Methodology and Techniques

Sophisticated Volumetric Targeting

Over the past week, cybersecurity specialists observed and continuously mitigated a series of attacks directed at one of Poland’s leading companies. The threat actors employed significant volumetric attacks, utilizing nearly every available traffic amplification technique to maximize impact.

Burst Attack Strategy

The attackers implemented a sophisticated burst attack methodology, characterized by short-lived but extremely intense waves of network traffic directed at the target. Rather than delivering a constant stream of malicious traffic, these attacks came in repetitive, violent surges designed to overwhelm servers, applications, and network infrastructure.

Escalation Pattern and Record Numbers

The DDoS campaign demonstrated a clear pattern of escalation, with each successive wave increasing in both intensity and technical complexity:

1. Initial surge: 700 Gbps
2. Secondary wave: 846 Gbps
3. Maximum intensity: 1.1 Tbps
4. Record peak: 1.3 terabits per second

This final measurement represents not only the largest attack observed on the Orange Polska network but also likely the most significant DDoS event in Polish internet history.

How the Attack Was Mitigated

Critical Success Factors

Several key elements contributed to the successful defense against this extraordinary cyber threat:

• The experience of our engineers proved invaluable in recognizing and responding to the attack patterns
• Seamless collaboration between Orange specialists and the targeted company’s security teams
• Comprehensive preparation and planning implemented well before the attack occurred
• Robust infrastructure designed to withstand significant traffic surges
• Well-established operating procedures and communication protocols during DDoS events

Successful Outcome

Thanks to this multi-faceted approach, the attack was successfully mitigated without noticeable impact on either customer services or the integrity of the Orange network infrastructure.

Lessons in Cybersecurity Preparedness

It’s worth emphasizing that protection against DDoS attacks is far from simple. Threat actors continually evolve their techniques, increase attack capacity, and expand their arsenal of digital weapons.

Constant Vigilance

At Orange Polska, DDoS attacks of varying magnitudes are detected and countered daily. Each incident provides valuable learning opportunities and experiences that strengthen defense capabilities for future threats.

The Prevention Formula

Success always comes from proper preparation and a thorough understanding of attack characteristics—both by the security team and the targeted organization. This record-breaking DDoS event demonstrates that with appropriate planning and expertise, even the most substantial cyber attacks can be effectively neutralized.