More than 1 million kilometers of undersea cables connect the world, including Australia, where they are buried under beaches and stretch out into depths of up to 8km before reaching landing stations in Sydney and Perth. However, these cables are vulnerable to sabotage, accidents, and hacking.
Recent incidents in the Baltic Sea, suspected to be sabotaged by a Chinese-registered ship, have raised concerns about the security of undersea cables. Despite the promises of satellite technology, these cables still carry 99% of Australia’s data, with a capacity of up to 300 terabits of data per second.
Experts warn that disrupting these cables could have serious geopolitical implications for Australian security, as they are essential for defense, intelligence sharing, and economic stability. While shark bites have caused damage in the past, fishing incidents, anchors, and intentional sabotage pose a greater threat to the cables.
Google has reinforced cables with a Kevlar-like substance to protect against shark bites, but intentional acts of sabotage have the potential to disrupt vital services and infrastructure. Australia has announced plans to strengthen digital connectivity and resilience through new cable projects.
While efforts are being made to enhance security and resilience, the complex geopolitics involving Australia, China, Taiwan, and the Pacific add another layer of complexity to the protection of undersea cables. Attributing intentional sabotage in the underwater environment remains a challenge, making it difficult to prevent and respond to threats effectively.
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