The European Commission has issued a joint communication to support all EU member states which have experienced a significant increase in incidents involving subsea cables.
The communication outlines a range of measures to “bolster the resilience of this critical infrastructure, addressing prevention, detection, response, recovery, and deterrence”, the Commission says.
Communication cables connect several member states to one another, link islands to the EU mainland, and connect the EU to the rest of the world, carrying 99% of inter-continental internet traffic.
Subsea electricity cables facilitate the integration of member states' electricity markets, strengthen their security of supply, and deliver offshore renewable energy to the mainland, the Commission says.
“In recent weeks and months, submarine cable incidents have risked causing severe disruptions in essential functions and services in the EU, impacting the daily lives of EU citizens. This initiative responds directly to these threats,” it says.
The communication ranges from preventative measures, such as stepping up security requirements and risk assessments on submarine cables, to detection.
It emphasises the need for “swift action” on response, recovery and developing increased repair capacity, and deterrence through enforced sanctions and diplomatic measures against “hostile actors”.
The Commission says that these “strategic actions complement ongoing work by the Submarine Cable Infrastructure Expert Group, composed of member states and the EU Agency for Cybersecurity”.
“The actions are complementary to NATO's existing activities and support national and regional endeavours, reaffirming Europe's commitment to protecting critical submarine infrastructure, which is essential to global communications and energy security,” it says.
