Latest news with #RedShield
Techday NZ
2 days ago
- Business
- Techday NZ
RedShield launches Third Horizon to combat rising DDoS threats
RedShield has launched a new cybersecurity feature named 'Third Horizon' to provide additional protection against Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) and automated bot attacks. New defence mechanisms The technology aims to make DDoS attacks more difficult by disrupting attack methods and forcing attackers to adapt in ways that typical automated or artificial intelligence-driven tools are unable to manage effectively. This approach seeks to put obstacles in place that increase the effort and cost required for cybercriminals attempting to undermine web applications. Fabian Partigliani, Chief Executive Officer at RedShield, said: "Much of the security industry remains focused on traffic profiling via AI-driven anomaly detection. However, in the last three years automated, bot-driven threats have become both greater in scale and frequency and more sophisticated. "As a result, traditional anomaly detection alone is no longer enough as a defence. In response to the escalation of DDoS and automated bot attacks, RedShield is introducing the 'Third Horizon' as the next evolution of DDoS and bot protection." Barrier to automated threats The Third Horizon feature works by challenging suspicious users seeking access to an application. When RedShield's systems identify unusual or potentially malicious behaviour, a user must supply a valid email address and then verify their identity using a code sent to that email. This can occur even if the individual does not have a pre-existing account, serving as an additional barrier that adds complexity for attackers using automated systems. Partigliani explained: "Third Horizon adds a layer of complexity that bad actors hate because it costs them more time, resources, and money. There are no simple technologies available to let them create enormous volumes of fake user accounts and then retrieve and enter verification for each one. An attacker will typically go and find an easier target." Three-layer approach RedShield's service operates by employing a three-tiered architecture for threat defence. The first layer, referred to as the First Horizon, uses traffic profiling to block high-volume attacks and evidently malicious traffic. RedShield achieves this through continuous volumetric protection provided via the AWS cloud platform. The Second Horizon focuses on sophisticated bot detection, targeting malicious bots attempting to appear as legitimate users. This level is described as an ongoing contest between defenders and attackers, with the technology seeking to increase the cost for would-be intruders. The newly launched Third Horizon provides an identity and intent challenge, requiring suspicious users to confirm an email address before accessing a site or application. This step particularly aims to counter mass automation since automated bots typically struggle to answer such requests at scale, thereby increasing the difficulty and expense faced by those behind DDoS and bot attacks. Growing threat landscape Recent findings underscore the scale of the challenge facing organisations. The Imperva Bad Bot Report indicates that automated bots accounted for nearly half of all internet traffic in 2024, and nearly a third was attributed to malicious bots. The frequency and size of DDoS attacks also grew sharply, with attacks exceeding 1 terabit per second increasing 1800% globally from the third to the fourth quarter of last year. Attackers continue to use bots for credential theft, data scraping, and overloading key business functions, including login and checkout services, exposing businesses in New Zealand and worldwide to operational and reputational risks. RedShield is extending its layered approach by offering the Third Horizon as an optional add-on service for customers requiring heightened protection. The company relies on the global infrastructure of AWS alongside its proprietary controls, which it describes as aimed at enabling continued application availability for legitimate users while deterring malicious activity. The new Third Horizon service will become available to RedShield customers for critical applications in the coming weeks, providing an additional tool in the evolving array of cyber defences.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
RedShield Enhances DDoS And Bot Attack Protection With 'Third Horizon'
RedShield, a web application security service using AWS technology, has introduced a new layer of security in response to the proliferation of ever-more-sophisticated Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) and automated bot attacks. The new 'Third Horizon' protection that RedShield is introducing to its service thwarts DDoS attacks by disrupting the attack vector, requiring bad actors to respond in ways that cannot easily be managed by typical automated tools to gain access to a web application. 'Much of the security industry remains focused on traffic profiling via AI-driven anomaly detection," said Fabian Partigliani, Chief Executive Officer at RedShield. 'However, in the last three years automated, bot-driven threats have become both greater in scale and frequency and more sophisticated. 'As a result, traditional anomaly detection alone is no longer enough as a defence. In response to the escalation of DDoS and automated bot attacks, RedShield is introducing the 'Third Horizon' as the next evolution of DDoS and bot protection.' Practical barriers to bad actors The Third Horizon introduces additional practical barriers to automated attacks. When deployed to protect an application, and RedShield's controls detect suspicious activity, users seeking access to a web application must first provide a valid email address and then verify their identity via a code sent to that address. This adds friction and therefore cost to the attacker seeking to make automated attacks. While this may seem like a familiar two factor authentication approach, Third Horizon comes into play even when there is no existing user account. 'Third Horizon adds a layer of complexity that bad actors hate because it costs them more time, resources, and money,' says Partigliani. 'There are no simple technologies available to let them create enormous volumes of fake user accounts and then retrieve and enter verification for each one. An attacker will typically go and find an easier target.' Three layers of protection RedShield's protection operates on multiple horizons: First Horizon: Traffic Profiling: Blocking large volumetric attacks and obvious bad traffic. This is "table stakes" – necessary but not sufficient given the evolving attacks. RedShield uses "always on" volumetric protection from hyperscale cloud provider, AWS, to provide the best defence. Second Horizon: Sophisticated Bot Detection: Using advanced techniques to identify and block malicious bots that are trying to look legitimate. This raises attacker cost but is an ongoing arms race – determined attackers will find ways to evade detection. Third Horizon: Identity & Intent Challenge: When activity looks suspicious or systems are under particular strain, RedShield's controls can challenge the user, asking for an email address and only enabling access to the site when a code included in an email sent to that address is entered. As mass automated bot attacks cannot readily respond to this challenge at scale, this significantly increases the complexity and cost for the attacker, protecting critical applications while prioritising availability for legitimate users. Scale of threat According to the Imperva Bad Bot Report, almost half of all 2024 traffic was related to bot activity, with almost one third of the overall global traffic being connected to malicious bots. While attacks of greater than 1 terabit per second (Tbps) grew 1800% globally from Q3 to Q4 last year alone, a bigger concern is their sophistication. Bots mimic humans to take over accounts, scrape data, or overload specific functions like login pages or checkout processes. Attacks target APIs and business logic, putting New Zealand businesses at risks of operational disruption, data theft, and reputational damage. RedShield's service applies its three horizon approach and AWS' global infrastructure to protect organisations from even these latest threats. RedShield's Third Horizon will be available to customers in the coming weeks, on request, as an additional service for critical applications that need an extra layer of protection. RedShield solutions are available on the AWS Marketplace. About RedShield RedShield is the essential partner for enterprises needing a fast, effective security solution for difficult-to-fix application risks. Our expert-driven service, powered by AWS, not only blocks threats and provides application-specific fixes on-the-fly, without requiring code changes, but also includes comprehensive change management, vulnerability scanning, monitoring, 24/7 incident management and detailed reporting. RedShield secures your entire application landscape - from legacy systems to crown jewels - reducing risk, controlling costs, and enabling development teams to stay focused on growth.
Otago Daily Times
24-05-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Community backs appeal to tune of $10K
Salvation Army Captains Paul and Jocelyn Smith with Cameron McIntosh, 19, of Oamaru, who spent eight hours collecting for the Red Shield Appeal. PHOTO: JULES CHIN The Salvation Army Red Shield appeal in the Waitaki District made over $10,000 this year thanks to volunteers and generous public support. The funds raised will go directly into the community through welfare support, food banks and social services. Salvation Army Captain Jocelyn Smith was "really, really happy" with the results. "We had Scouts and the Lions clubs, the three high schools and volunteers from all over the place. "We cracked just over $10,000. It's great. We needed that." Last year, the Salvation Army produced over 700 food parcels for people in need. The high cost of living had since increased demand. Capt Smith said the appeal was also a great way for Salvation Army volunteers to be face-to-face with the public. "People say beautiful things, such as I want to give to the Sallies, my son's in rehab at the moment and you guys are helping him to get sober. Or you guys helped me when we had no food and got us through a really tough time and we really appreciate it." Those stories were "golden". Capt Smith said the amount of money, resources and personnel required to keep up the community support was "big", with only one staff member working 20 hours a week and three part-time volunteers helping with the food bank.
7NEWS
22-05-2025
- General
- 7NEWS
Adelaide mother-of-four admits to stealing food amid cost-of-living crisis
A mother-of-four has made the shocking admission she regularly shoplifts to feed her children amid the cost-of-living crisis. Nakiah* said she feels guilty but blames rising food prices for leaving her with little choice to ensure her children do not go hungry. 'No parent wants to hear your kid say 'I'm still hungry' after dinner,' Nakiah told 7NEWS. 'I feel guilt but at the same time I don't because it's for my children — I'll do anything for my children.' The single mother, from Adelaide's northern suburbs, is not alone, with Salvation Army data released ahead of the charity's annual Red Shield Appeal showing the cost-of living crisis is having widespread impact. The Red Shield Report 2025 — which surveyed 3586 vulnerable Australians who had received food, financial aid or material aid from The Salvation Army — found almost a quarter (24 per cent) had eaten food past its expiry date to save money. It also found one in 20 Australians have taken and eaten food from bins outside supermarkets and restaurants, while a majority of people are skipping meals. Nakiah said the rising costs of housing and essential services and other basic living expenses meant there was often not enough money left to adequately feed her family. She admits to shoplifting at least once a fortnight so her children don't go to bed hungry, saying it is her last resort — and it frightens her. 'You walk through (the shops) just watching and knowing I'm about to do something like that — it's so scary,' she told 7NEWS. 'So many people are just brought to guilt and shame to do the wrong thing when they don't want to. 'We can't do this any more, we can't keep living like this.' Salvation Army spokesperson Robyn Lorimer said many people across Australia were cutting corners to make ends meet. 'We're finding people would prefer to sit in the dark than put their lights on,' she said. 'For some, they're even having to go to a public toilet or shopping centre just to shower because they can't justify the water costs.' The Salvation Army is aiming to raise $2 million in its annual Red Shield appeal this weekend, to support those people doing it tough — and to intervene before more of them resort to crime.
