KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM CLOUDFLARE’S 2024 YEAR IN REVIEW
Internet Trends, Security Insights, and More
As a Microsoft Partner and cloud solutions provider, we always keep a close eye on internet trends and security developments. Cloudflare’s 2024 Year in Review gives us a fascinating look at the state of the internet: traffic patterns, security threats, and the evolution of how we connect online. For SME businesses, understanding these insights is critical to staying secure and optimised in the digital landscape.
Let’s break down the highlights from Cloudflare’s Year in Review and what they mean for your business.
Here is the original article – Cloudflare Radar 2024 Year in Review
The Growing Internet Traffic
Cloudflare reported a steady growth in global internet traffic in 2024. Video streaming, online collaboration tools, and gaming continue to drive the surge. Cloudflare’s network saw record-breaking bandwidth usage during global events, including major sports tournaments and cultural moments.
What This Means for SMEs:
- Ensure your internet infrastructure can scale to meet peak demand without sacrificing performance.
- Partnering with a reliable provider (like us!) ensures enterprise-grade uptime and speed for your business-critical applications.
Rising Security Threats
One key theme from 2024 is the increased volume and sophistication of cyber threats. Cloudflare observed spikes in DDoS attacks, ransomware attempts, and phishing campaigns across various sectors, particularly during holiday seasons or global events.
Key Takeaways:
- DDoS Attacks: The frequency and size of DDoS attacks have grown, requiring advanced protection mechanisms.
- Phishing and Social Engineering: Threat actors continue to exploit human error, with more convincing phishing emails and SMS campaigns.
What SMEs Can Do:
- Implement robust security measures such as DNS protection, endpoint management, and email filtering.
- Educate your team on recognising phishing attacks and other social engineering tactics.
- Monitor for unusual traffic patterns or resource spikes.
At Black Sheep Support, we work with Cloudflare and other partners to provide email security, DNS protection, and proactive monitoring to safeguard your systems.
The Rise of AI-Powered Tools and Threats
AI continues to be a double-edged sword. Cloudflare’s report highlights how artificial intelligence improves cyber defences but also enhances the capabilities of cybercriminals.
- AI Tools for Defence: AI-driven threat detection and automated mitigation are improving response times to potential breaches.
- AI Tools for Attack: Phishing emails and social engineering scams are becoming harder to detect due to AI.
Practical Advice for SMEs:
- Leverage AI-powered tools like Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and other advanced monitoring solutions.
- Regularly update your security stack to ensure it matches the sophistication of emerging threats.
- Assess your AI usage to minimise risks while maximising productivity.
Internet Outages: A Reminder for Resilience
Cloudflare’s data tracked major global internet outages in 2024 caused by hardware failures, misconfigurations, and provider disruptions. These events underscore the importance of business continuity planning.
How SMEs Can Prepare:
- Use redundant systems and backups to ensure critical services remain operational.
- Deploy cloud-first strategies to minimise reliance on on-premises infrastructure.
- Implement tools that monitor uptime and proactively address service disruptions.
At Black Sheep Support, our managed services ensure high availability and fast recovery for our customers.
IPv6 Adoption Gains Momentum
Cloudflare’s data shows continued adoption of IPv6, which offers a larger address space and improves internet performance.
Why SMEs Should Care:
- IPv6 enables smoother access to modern services and devices.
- Businesses using outdated systems may experience slower connectivity or compatibility issues.
If you’re unsure whether your business infrastructure is IPv6-ready, we can help assess and modernise your setup.
Talk to Us About Your 2024 Challenges
As 2024 comes to a close, now is the perfect time to reflect on the challenges your business faced this year. Whether it’s staying secure, scaling infrastructure, managing costs, or adopting the latest technologies, we know every business has its unique pain points.
At Black Sheep Support, we’re here to listen, strategise, and help you tackle those challenges head-on.
How We Can Help in 2025:
Security Upgrades: From Microsoft 365 security to DNS protection, we keep your business secure.
Cloud Infrastructure Optimisation: Helping you leverage scalable and cost-effective solutions for growth.
Adopting New Technologies: Streamlining the adoption of tools like AI and Microsoft Copilot to improve efficiency.
Hardware & Software Solutions: From hardware upgrades to managed IT services, we ensure your systems perform at their best.
Let’s work together to make 2025 a year of growth, resilience, and success for your business.
