Machine Learning Models for DDoS Attack Detection: A Systematic Literature Review

Authors

  • Chinyere Chioma Isiekwene Department of Computer Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1197-8833
  • Nureni Ayofe Azeez Department of Computer Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, Nigeria
  • Solomon A. Akinboro Department of Computer Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, Nigeria
  • Oladipupo Sennaike Department of Computer Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26740/vubeta.v3i2.40146

Keywords:

Systematic Literature Review, Machine learning models, DDoS, Hybrid models, Networks

Abstract

The study aims to present a detailed analysis of different machine learning models used in the detection of distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks. The report adopted the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) style to determine the research domain, established a search list, and analyzed all the selected articles from scientific databases such as IEEE, Springer, Elsevier, MDPI, SSRN-JETIR, Wiley online-library, and Google Scholar to meet eligibility criteria. A total of 6560 articles were retrieved, and 75 were deemed eligible for study. The review identified seven subject categories in the literature review, and the results show that 48% of the reviewed papers were from Elsevier (Science Direct), IEEE covered 20%, Springer covered 16%, while MDPI count was 10.67%. 2023 had the highest number of paper sources, followed closely by 2022, then 2024. The study reveals the milestone achieved in the use of machine learning models in detecting distributed denial of service attacks alongside the existing gap in the application of these models.

Author Biographies

Chinyere Chioma Isiekwene, Department of Computer Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, Nigeria

Chinyere Chioma Isiekwene obtained her B.Sc. from the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, in 2015, and possess double M.Sc. degrees from the Lagos State University, Ojo-Badagry, Lagos State, in 2020 and the University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos State, Nigeria, in 2023. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Computer Science at the University of Lagos, Nigeria, with research interests encompassing cybersecurity, malware detection, data theft prevention, information security, privacy and trust, data mining techniques for scalable network traffic analysis, anomaly detection, and machine learning. She is a Lecturer in the Faculty of Computing at MIVA Open University, Nigeria, and a member of the Computer Professionals of Nigeria (CPN) and the Nigerian Computer Society (NCS).

Nureni Ayofe Azeez, Department of Computer Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, Nigeria

Nureni Ayofe Azeez obtained his B.Tech. (Hons.) from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria, in 2005, an MSc from the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, in 2008, and a Ph.D. from the University of the Western Cape, South Africa, in 2013, all in Computer Science. His areas of research include Security & Privacy, Trust Management, Access Control, and E-Health. He is a recipient of the Young Scientist Award at the 22nd International CODATA Conference, held in Cape Town, South Africa, in October 2010. He is an associate professor of computer science at the Department of Computer Sciences, University of Lagos, Nigeria.

Solomon A. Akinboro , Department of Computer Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, Nigeria

Solomon A. Akinboro is an Associate Professor from the Department of Computer Science, University of Lagos, Akoka, Nigeria. He holds a B. Tech degree in Computer Engineering from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho; an M.Sc. in Computer Science and Engineering; and a PhD in Computer Science from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Research interests include Data Communication Network, Information Security, Artificial Intelligence and ICT4D.  He is a member of the following professional bodies: Nigeria Computer Society, Nigeria Society of Engineers and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).

Oladipupo Sennaike, Department of Computer Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, Nigeria

Department of Computer Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, Nigeria

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Published

2026-06-11

How to Cite

[1]
C. Chioma Isiekwene, N. A. Azeez, S. A. Akinboro, and O. Sennaike, “Machine Learning Models for DDoS Attack Detection: A Systematic Literature Review”, Vokasi UNESA Bull. Eng. Technol. Appl. Sci., vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 389–411, Jun. 2026.
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