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DDoS Attacks Spike Sharply in MENA
Cyberattacks across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) escalated significantly in 2025, with Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) incidents rising by 138% year-on-year, according to a new analysis by StormWall, a cybersecurity company specializing in DDoS protection.
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StormWall reported mitigating 2.8 million DDoS attacks against its regional clients in 2025, a sharp increase from 1.2 million attacks in 2024, underscoring the growing threat landscape facing digital infrastructure in the region.
Finance, Entertainment Most Targeted Industries
For the second consecutive year, the finance sector emerged as the most targeted industry in MENA, accounting for 19% of all DDoS attacks. The sector’s critical role in national economies and its reliance on always-on digital services make it a prime target for cybercriminals.
The entertainment industry followed closely, absorbing 16% of attacks, while the retail sector accounted for 14%, reflecting attackers’ focus on high-traffic, consumer-facing platforms.
Attack Methods Grow More Sophisticated
StormWall analysts warn that DDoS attacks in MENA are not only increasing in volume but also in complexity. About 34% of attacks now use multiple vectors, representing a 92% increase compared to the previous year.
Attackers are increasingly relying on probing techniques, sending low volumes of traffic to identify vulnerabilities before launching large-scale assaults. The use of this tactic has grown 2.5 times year-on-year.
Meanwhile, botnets operating in the region have quadrupled in size, expanding from an average of 7,000 bots in 2024 to 28,000 in 2025. These large botnets are frequently deployed in carpet bombing attacks, whose occurrence rose by 63% over the past year.
Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran Top Targeted Countries
In terms of geography, Saudi Arabia was the most targeted country in the region, accounting for 22% of all DDoS attacks recorded by StormWall.
It was followed by the United Arab Emirates with 17%, while Iran ranked third at 12%, highlighting concentrated attack activity in key digital and economic hubs.
Rapid Digitalisation Attracts Cybercriminals
Commenting on the findings, Ramil Khantimirov, CEO and co-founder of StormWall, noted that the region’s rapid digital transformation has increased its exposure to cyber threats.
“MENA countries are rapidly digitalising and are often early adopters of new technologies, investing heavily in projecting a forward-looking national image through innovation,” he said.
“That visibility makes the region an attractive target for opportunistic attackers, and we’re already seeing adversaries use increasingly advanced tools and techniques. For businesses operating in MENA, basic DDoS protection is no longer sufficient.”
