As Ian Leonard Betts aptly stated during the MARS2025, “Enterprises must plan and prepare for catastrophic internet failures, given that 95% of global internet traffic relies on undersea cables.”
This underscores the growing urgency of securing undersea infrastructure to ensure global digital resilience. Recent incidents of attacks on undersea cable infrastructure in the Baltic Sea and Red Sea have drawn attention to the possibility of hybrid warfare. Geopolitical tensions may spill over wherein undersea internet infrastructure is deliberately targeted to disrupt economic activity.
Undersea cables facilitate bulk of transnational internet traffic and enable trillions of dollars in global commerce. There are over 450 subsea data cables covering 1.5 million kilometers, in addition to extensive undersea gas and electricity pipelines. Countries highly dependent on these interconnectors—such as the Baltic states and the UK—face greater vulnerabilities compared to net exporter nations with larger landmass.
Approximately 150–200 faults occur annually, the majority due to fishing activities and deployment of ship anchors. Natural disasters also lead to infrastructural damage. However, with the emergence of hybrid warfare, there is a significant rise in attacks as a result of intentional sabotage.
Business Continuity Strategies:
– Organizations should reassess their continuity plans to prepare for potential network failures due to undersea cable disruptions.
– Establish redundant communication channels including satellite-based internet backup solutions to reduce reliance on undersea cables.
– Ensuring that alternative data routing strategies are in place through diversified cloud providers and fiber-optic networks.
Simulation Drills:
- Conducting stress simulations to assess how organisations are equipped to function in the event of internet failure, cyberattacks or physical damage to undersea infrastructure
- Conducting scenario-based simulations to enhance operational resilience while developing strategic response plans.
As Danny Chan aptly said in the same webinar – “Being comfortable in an uncomfortable environment is the essence of resilience,” organisations need to continuously adapt, anticipate and respond to evolving threats and risks. The security of undersea infrastructure is no longer just a national security concern but a fundamental key for global economic stability and digital resilience.
Disclaimer: This article has reference to expert opinions and open sources including Reuters and BBC.
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