Submarine cables, crucial to global economy and telecommunications, are increasingly vulnerable to geopolitical, physical, and cyber threats, including nation-state sabotage and spying, according to intelligence firm Recorded Future. These fiber-optic cables, transmitting an estimated 99% of all intercontinental internet traffic and communications, including daily financial transactions worth roughly $10 trillion and sensitive government and military communication, are attractive targets for intelligence collection and sabotage. The number of undersea cables has doubled over the past decade, reaching an estimated 529 cable systems in operation today.
Intentional attacks pose the most significant risk to these cables, with state-sponsored groups being the greatest threat, especially given the increasing number of Chinese-owned companies operating cables and Russia’s interest in mapping the submarine cable system. China’s threat lies in its ability to control digital flows due to its prominent role as an owner/operator in the industry, creating opportunities for intelligence collection. Russia, however, threatens the physical security of submarine cables, particularly those in the North Sea region.
The report also highlights the increasing role of tech giants like Amazon, Google, Meta, and Microsoft in the development and ownership of the global cable network, raising concerns over market monopolies and digital sovereignty. Landing stations, connecting the submarine cable with terrestrial networks, also present an attractive target for intelligence collection due to their accessibility and lack of heightened security protections.
Source: SecurityWeek
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