While the concept of bots is not new, malicious bots have been quietly multiplying and rising in the shadow to become a greater part of internet traffic and the cornerstone of cyber attacks. Yet, many businesses remain unaware of the pivotal role these bad bots play in exploiting vulnerabilities and perpetuating online chaos. In 2022, almost half of the internet traffic was bot-driven, underscoring the importance of being vigilant about this growing menace.

Malicious bots serve as the linchpin for a variety of cyber threats, from data breaches to distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. They operate quietly and behind the scenes, probing for weaknesses and amplifying the impact of cyber assaults. With the proliferation of our digital-dependent lifestyles and the advent of Gen-AI, these bad actors have been empowered with endless capabilities, creating a surge in growth of bot-driven threats.

Businesses, especially small enterprises, are at the forefront of this digital battleground, facing multifaceted risks posed by unchecked bot traffic. The repercussions of falling victim to such attacks are dire, and can include financial losses, legal ramifications, erosion of customer trust, and irreparable damage to brand reputation. What’s worse is the potential for prolonged downtime, which poses huge threats to unprepared organizations. 

In addition, as online activity explodes, there’s a large risk of congestion and instability made worse by malicious bots. And without robust cybersecurity measures in place, an unprepared business inadvertently contributes to the number of internet disruptions, perpetuating a cycle of vulnerability and chaos.

Proactive measures are essential to protect digital assets. From implementing access controls to deploying advanced threat detection systems, businesses have no choice but to increase their defenses against the rising tide of bad bots. 

Amidst this landscape, it’s important to note that the global bot security market is poised for substantial growth, with a projected CAGR of 19.2% by 2026. This growth is primarily attributed to the escalating prevalence of bad bot traffic and the consequential loss of revenue. As the stakes continue to rise, investing in bot security solutions becomes not just a matter of safeguarding against cyber threats but also of protecting the bottom line.

Discover how you should prepare your business to withhold these new threats and safeguard its infrastructure, assets and clients on BotGuard‘s webinar on March 13th.