Submarine cables, spanning nearly 1.5 million kilometres worldwide, form the backbone of international communications and data transfer. These underwater networks are essential for maintaining both economic stability and national security. Recently, an increase in disruptions, particularly in the Baltic Sea region, has raised alarms about the vulnerability of this critical infrastructure.
While many incidents seem to result from accidental damage, investigations suggest that some outages may be linked to deliberate sabotage by state-sponsored groups. This has prompted calls for enhanced measures to protect and monitor undersea cable systems.
**Why this matters**
Submarine cables carry the vast majority of global internet and telecommunications traffic, making them vital to everyday digital activities and international commerce. Disruptions can lead to significant economic losses and compromise national security by affecting communication channels. Ensuring the resilience and security of these networks is increasingly important in a world where cyber and geopolitical tensions are rising.
Source: News Source