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Securing the Lifelines: Protecting Underwater Communication and Power Cables
Discover how cutting-edge technology and international cooperation safeguard the hidden networks powering 95% of global internet traffic beneath the ocean.
Underwater communication and power cables are the unsung heroes of our interconnected world, facilitating over 95% of international data transmission and enabling cross-continental electricity distribution. These submerged infrastructures are vital for internet services, global financial transactions, and energy supply, underscoring the critical importance of their security.
Technological Overview of Underwater Cables
Designed to withstand the challenging marine environment, underwater cables are constructed with multiple protective layers. At their core lies the conductor, typically composed of copper for power transmission or optical fibers for data transfer, serving as the primary medium for communication or electricity flow. Surrounding this core is insulation material that prevents water ingress and electrical leakage, ensuring signal integrity. Encasing the insulated core, steel wire armoring provides mechanical protection against physical damages such as those caused by fishing activities, anchor drags, and natural seabed movements. The outermost layer, known as the sheath, is made of durable polymers like polyethylene, offering additional defense against environmental factors and abrasion. Specialized vessels meticulously lay these cables along predetermined seabed routes, aiming for decades of reliable service beneath the ocean’s surface.
Current Deployment Status of Underwater Cables
As of early 2025, the global network of submarine cables has expanded significantly to meet the increasing demand for high-speed internet and reliable power transmission. According to TeleGeography, there are over 1.48 million kilometers of submarine cables in service worldwide, encompassing 597 cable systems and 1,712 landing stations that are either active or under construction. This extensive infrastructure underscores the critical role these cables play in global connectivity.
Major tech companies are investing heavily in new submarine cable projects to enhance global data transmission capabilities. For instance, Meta has announced plans for ‘Project Waterworth,’ aiming to deploy a 50,000-kilometer subsea cable system connecting the United States, India, South Africa, Brazil, and other regions. This ambitious project, exceeding the Earth’s circumference, is designed to bolster economic cooperation, digital inclusion, and technological development, particularly in emerging markets.
Emerging Threats to Underwater Cables
Despite their robust construction, underwater cables face several threats that can disrupt global communications and power supplies. Natural hazards such as earthquakes, underwater landslides, and strong ocean currents can physically damage or sever cables. For instance, submarine landslides near tectonic plate boundaries have historically resulted in multiple cable breaks, highlighting the vulnerability of these infrastructures to geological events.
Human activities also pose significant risks; accidental damage from fishing trawlers, ship anchors, and dredging operations is a common cause of cable faults, with an estimated 100 to 150 cables severed each year primarily due to such inadvertent interactions. Moreover, deliberate sabotage aimed at disrupting communication or power supply presents severe economic and security consequences, as evidenced by incidents where vessels suspected of espionage have been monitored near critical infrastructure.
China’s Deep-Sea Cable Cutting Technology
Recent developments have raised concerns about the security of these critical infrastructures. Chinese researchers have unveiled a compact deep-sea cable cutting device capable of operating at depths up to 4,000 meters (13,123 feet). This tool is designed to sever armored cables protected by steel, rubber, and polymer sheaths. While initially intended for civilian applications like salvage operations and seabed mining, the device’s capabilities have sparked apprehension regarding its potential military uses, especially in disrupting global communication networks.
Cybersecurity Threats to Underwater Cables
Beyond physical vulnerabilities, underwater communication and power cables are increasingly susceptible to cyber threats that can compromise data integrity and global connectivity. Malicious actors may exploit vulnerabilities in cable infrastructure to intercept sensitive information, posing risks to national security and economic stability.
While submarine cables are physically located deep beneath the ocean’s surface, cyber threats can target these infrastructures through associated terrestrial systems and network management protocols. Cable landing stations, where these undersea cables connect to terrestrial networks, are critical nodes in global communications. Unauthorized access to these facilities can allow attackers to intercept data, disrupt services, or manipulate information. For instance, hacking into the network management systems can enable cybercriminals to monitor traffic and potentially disrupt data flows. Moreover, specialized submarines or underwater drones equipped with advanced technology can tap into submarine cables to intercept or even modify data without causing physical damage. Such activities have been attributed to nations with sophisticated naval capabilities.
Cybercriminals can target the network infrastructure associated with submarine cables through Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, causing disruptions that affect internet services and financial transactions. Furthermore, coordinated cyber and physical assaults can amplify the impact on submarine cable systems, leading to prolonged outages and significant data breaches.
To mitigate these cyber threats, it is essential to implement comprehensive security strategies, including enhanced encryption protocols, strict access controls, continuous network monitoring, and international collaboration to establish cybersecurity standards and share threat intelligence related to submarine cable infrastructures. By addressing vulnerabilities in associated terrestrial systems and enhancing cybersecurity measures, it is possible to safeguard these critical undersea infrastructures against evolving cyber threats.
Implications and Countermeasures
The emergence of advanced cable-cutting technologies and the increasing cyber threats underscore the need for enhanced security measures. Implementing monitoring systems, such as distributed acoustic sensing (DAS), can detect and respond to unauthorized activities near cable routes.
Implementing monitoring systems, such as distributed acoustic sensing (DAS), can detect and respond to unauthorized activities near cable routes. DAS technology captures disturbances in fiber optic signals caused by vibrations or temperature changes, providing early warnings of potential threats like undersea drones or vessels dragging anchors.
Developing alternative communication pathways, such as satellite systems, can reduce reliance on submarine cables, ensuring continuity in data transmission even if undersea cables are compromised. Fostering global partnerships is crucial to establish norms and agreements for protecting underwater infrastructures. Enhanced measures, including improved security, risk assessment, and quicker response capabilities, are being enacted to safeguard these vital assets. Ensuring the resilience of underwater communication and power cables is vital for maintaining global connectivity and security in the face of evolving technological threats.
