The new organization will work through the ICPC to advocate for the protection of undersea cables and emphasize the critical role of telecommunications networks.

Figure 1. Global Organizations Focus on Safeguarding Subsea Cables.

In a separate initiative from several months ago, NATO financed an innovative project aimed at redirecting internet traffic to space in the event of subsea cable disruptions. Figure 1 shows Global Organizations Focus on Safeguarding Subsea Cables.

The Subsea Cable Initiative by the U.N., ITU, and ICPC

In response to growing global tensions, the ITU, U.N., and International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) have come together to create an advisory body focused on enhancing submarine cable resilience, aimed at promoting best practices for both governments and the industry.

"Resilience is undoubtedly a critical and timely issue when it comes to submarine cable infrastructure," said Ryan Worstall, an ICPC executive and submarine cable infrastructure expert, in a LinkedIn post. "This is an exciting step forward for the ICPC and ITU as they work together to address the resilience of submarine cable infrastructure. We’re eager to see the outcomes of this collaboration."

Details of the Advisory Body

The advisory body is co-chaired by Dr. Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, and Prof. Sandra Maximiano, Chair of the Board of Directors of the National Communications Authority of Portugal.

According to the ITU, the body will focus on improving cable resilience by encouraging best practices for both governments and industry stakeholders. The goal is to ensure the efficient deployment and repair of submarine cables, minimize the risk of damage, and strengthen the continuity of communications through these cables.

NATO's Plan to Redirect Subsea Traffic to Satellite

NATO has expressed growing concern over the resilience of the subsea cable network, given the ongoing cuts, escalating geopolitical tensions, and conflicts in various regions around the world.In response, NATO has funded what it describes as "a visionary project" to reroute internet traffic to space in the event of subsea cable disruptions.

As subsea cable damage continues to increase, NATO and other organizations are turning to emerging satellite technologies as a crucial part of the resilience strategy. The NATO initiative aims to reduce the internet’s vulnerability by diverting data flow to space if undersea cables are damaged or severed. The $2.5 million project, launched on July 31, received partial funding from NATO's Science for Peace and Security program (SPS).

The Key Takeaways on Subsea Cable Protection

The establishment of the new advisory group by the U.N.-ITU, with support from the ICPC, aims to raise awareness about the safety and protection of subsea cable systems. The cable cuts this year have pushed the issue beyond casual corporate discussions, making it a regular topic in international news.

NATO's HEIST project, which focuses on rerouting traffic from subsea cables to satellites, appears to align with this goal of enhancing resilience. However, it remains a challenge, as the projected 150 to 200 cable faults by the end of 2024 highlight the ongoing vulnerability of subsea infrastructure.

Source: NETWORK Computing

Cite this article:

Priyadharshini S (2024), "International Organizations Prioritize Protection of Subsea Cables", AnaTechmaz, pp. 133