The Vulnerability Nexus: Analyzing Risks to Submarine Cable Infrastructure

Submarine cables, spanning approximately 600 networks globally, handle 99% of international data traffic, making them critical for telecommunications, internet, and financial transactions. Evolving from the 19th-century telegraph to modern fiber-optics, they now support vast amounts of global connectivity, with cables like SEA-ME-WE linking continents across 39,000 km. However, these cables face risks from natural disasters, human activities like anchoring, and aging infrastructure, compounded by geopolitical tensions and cyber threats.

Climate change adds further challenges, endangering coastal landing stations and overall cable resilience. Protecting this infrastructure requires investments in modern technology, international collaboration, and robust monitoring systems. Strengthening submarine cable security is essential to ensure uninterrupted global communication and economic stability.