Service providers: the gatekeepers of Internet security

Against a backdrop of the huge Internet of Things-based DDoS attacks we've seen in the last few months, some commentators have warned of the impending death of the Internet.1 Security expert Bruce Schneier recently warned that over the past year or two, someone has been probing the defences of the companies that run critical pieces of the Internet.2 There is now little doubt that if someone really wants to take down the Internet, they will direct their attacks at service providers. How can service providers protect themselves and their customers, from these giant attacks?