Traffic Scrubbing and Filtering Techniques

Traffic Scrubbing and Filtering Techniques

Traffic scrubbing represents one of the most effective mitigation techniques during active attacks. Scrubbing centers analyze all incoming traffic, filtering out malicious packets while allowing legitimate traffic through. Modern scrubbing uses multiple detection methods including signature matching, behavioral analysis, and machine learning to identify attack traffic.

BGP-based traffic redirection enables rapid activation of scrubbing services. By announcing more specific routes, you can redirect incoming traffic through scrubbing centers. Configure BGP communities to signal different scrubbing policies based on attack types. Implement automatic failback mechanisms to restore normal routing once attacks subside.

DNS-based redirection provides an alternative activation method for organizations without BGP access. Update DNS records to point to scrubbing service IP addresses. While slower than BGP redirection, DNS changes eventually propagate and redirect traffic. Use low TTL values on DNS records to enable rapid changes during attacks.

GRE tunneling enables on-premises scrubbing appliances to receive and clean traffic. Configure GRE tunnels between your network and upstream providers or scrubbing centers. Clean traffic returns through the tunnel while attack traffic is dropped. This approach provides flexibility in choosing scrubbing locations and technologies.