Mitigating a DDoS Attack for Logistics

A case study of how VKTechno Solutions helped a logistics company defend and scale its cargo tracking system.

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Memory Usage Reduced

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Server Uptime Achieved

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System Performance Boost

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DDoS Attack Mitigated

Executive Summary

The Cargo Tracking System of a leading logistics company faced critical issues — from memory inefficiencies and server crashes to a severe DDoS attack. VKTechno Solutions optimized the system with modern technologies, ensuring security, performance, and scalability.

Key Challenges

Heap Memory Full

Inefficient memory usage caused system crashes and slowdowns.

Server Crashes

Poor connection pooling caused unstable infrastructure.

Outdated Tech

Legacy code led to high CPU usage and GC errors.

Validation Flaws

Inconsistent filtering of valid/invalid requests.

DDoS Attack

Malicious traffic overwhelmed the system.

Solutions Implemented

01

Memory Optimization

Reviewed and optimized data structures, introduced static allocation, and partitioned data across multiple machines to reduce memory usage.

02

Server Stabilization

Implemented efficient connection pooling and caching mechanisms to optimize performance and minimize network overhead.

03

Technology Upgrade

Adopted the latest Spring Framework for better CPU efficiency, garbage collection, and scalability, reducing out-of-memory risks.

04

Request Validation

Redesigned request tracking to reset valid/invalid counts hourly and included captcha validation for improved accuracy.

05

DDoS Mitigation

Deployed advanced DDoS protection using rate limiting, geo blocking, and real-time traffic monitoring tools to safeguard system availability and reliability.

Client Background and Needs

Team collaborating on logistics Cargo containers stacked Truck on highway

Industry

The client operates in the logistics and cargo tracking industry, offering advanced tracking solutions to monitor and manage cargo shipments in real time. Their system provides valuable insights into cargo status, location, and progress throughout its journey, helping businesses maintain transparency and efficiency in their operations.

Size

The client handles a significant volume of cargo, tracking millions of shipments on a daily basis. They have built a robust network that connects warehouses, transport hubs, and various stakeholders involved in the logistics process, ensuring a seamless cargo tracking experience for all users.

Specific Challenges

  • Memory and Performance Issues

    High memory usage and slow system performance caused frequent crashes.

  • Server Crashes

    Unstable server infrastructure led to unexpected downtime.

  • Outdated Technology Stack

    Legacy systems caused inefficiency and scalability problems.

  • Security Vulnerabilities

    Weak defenses exposed the system to cyber threats.

  • Request Tracking Issues

    Incorrect data tracking affected operational insights.

Client Needs

  • Performance Optimization: Improve memory efficiency, streamline server performance, and enhance real-time cargo tracking.
  • Security Strengthening: Implement robust DDoS defenses and ensure system reliability during peak traffic.
  • Technology Upgrade: Replace outdated technologies with modern scalable solutions.
  • Data Accuracy: Fix validation and tracking issues for reliable insights.
  • Scalability: Design for growing volumes without compromising uptime.

Project Objectives

As always, clients grow with you!

Project goals illustration Project goals illustration

Memory Optimization & Performance Enhancement

Reduced memory usage by 50%, optimized data structures, and partitioned data for better scalability.

Server Stability & Optimization

Improved connection pooling and caching, increasing uptime to 99.9% and reducing crashes by 70%.

Technology Upgrade

Upgraded to latest Spring Framework, improving processing speed by 40% and reducing CPU usage by 30%.

DDoS Protection & Security Enhancements

Implemented rate limiting and real-time monitoring, reducing breaches and outages by 90%.

Improved Data Accuracy & Request Validation

Redesigned validation mechanism, improving data accuracy by 95% and reducing reporting errors.

Scalability & Future Growth Support

Implemented architecture improvements supporting 50% capacity increase to handle future demands.

Solution Approach

Memory & Performance Optimization

  • Approach: Used static memory allocation techniques and partitioned data across multiple servers to balance load efficiently.
  • Tools: Java, Spring, JBoss
  • Innovation: Horizontal scaling helped handle peak traffic without performance drops.

Server Optimization

  • Approach: Optimized connection pooling strategies and minimized network overhead to reduce system crashes.
  • Tools: HikariCP, Caffeine, JBoss
  • Innovation: Implemented caching for frequent queries, significantly reducing response time.

Technology Upgrade

  • Approach: Migrated system to the latest version of Spring Framework for better scalability and speed.
  • Tools: Spring Framework, JBoss
  • Innovation: Reduced CPU usage by 30% while improving processing speed by 40%.

DDoS Protection

  • Approach: Deployed CAPTCHA validation at all layers and added request throttling per IP address.
  • Tools: Cloudflare, API Gateway
  • Innovation: Multi-layer validation and IP filtering reduced breach attempts by over 90%.

Data Accuracy & Validation

  • Approach: Introduced hourly resets for request counters and logged detailed request flows.
  • Tools: Java, DB Triggers, JBoss
  • Innovation: Real-time request validation led to 95% accuracy in cargo tracking data.

Scalability & Growth

  • Approach: Designed infrastructure to support auto-scaling and horizontal expansion with ease.
  • Tools: Load Balancer, JBoss
  • Innovation: Scalable components boosted system capacity by 50% with zero downtime.

Implementation Process

Requirement Analysis

Detailed stakeholder discussions and KPIs defined to identify bottlenecks.

Design & Planning

Scalable architecture designed incorporating caching and security strategies.

Development Phase

Implemented caching, CAPTCHA, and traffic control mechanisms effectively.

Testing & Validation

Load and security testing ensured robustness under peak traffic conditions.

Deployment & Monitoring

Seamless deployment with real-time monitoring enabled for performance.

Roles & Responsibilities

  • VKTechno Team: PM, devs, security, testers.
  • Client Team: Provided insights, tested infrastructure.

Key Challenges & Solutions

  • DDoS Traffic: CAPTCHA + throttling blocked malicious requests.
  • Memory Usage: Static allocation + partitioning lowered consumption.
  • Legacy Tech: Upgraded to Spring + Caffeine improved efficiency.

Results & Impact

Performance Improvements

  • 40% reduction in DB query response time via caching
  • 30% increase in throughput, 10,000+ requests/hr handled
  • 25% less memory usage with optimized management

Security Enhancements

  • 100% DDoS attack prevention with multi-layer validation
  • 95% reduction in malicious traffic via IP filtering

Operational Efficiency

  • Near zero server crashes via connection pooling optimization
  • Hourly resets ensuring real-time cargo tracking accuracy

Specific Benefits Delivered

  • Uninterrupted operations with zero downtime during peaks
  • Improved user satisfaction with faster response times
  • Robust security safeguarding data and system integrity
  • Dynamic scaling supporting growth without added costs

Positive Business Impact

  • Increased productivity managing more shipments daily
  • Operational cost reduced by 15% via resource optimization
  • 20% boost in customer retention through accurate tracking

Scalability & Future Growth

  • Flexible infrastructure dynamically scaling with traffic
  • Prepared for future growth without extra hardware costs
  • Supports 50%+ capacity increase seamlessly