Recent incidents of damage to underwater fiber optic cables have raised global alarm about the vulnerability of communications infrastructure. To mitigate these risks, NATO announced an ambitious backup project using a network of satellites called HEIST (Hybrid Space-Submarine Architecture Ensuring Infosec of Telecommunications).
Sabotage and damage: what is happening?
Two episodes drew attention in 2024. The first occurred in February, when cables connecting Germany to Finland and Lithuania to the Swedish island of Gotland were damaged. Investigations pointed to deliberate sabotage, but those responsible have not yet been identified. The second case, in November, was declared guilty: the Houthi rebels, from Yemen, claimed responsibility for the sabotage of a cable in the Red Sea that connected Europe to Asia.
Although sabotage is a growing concern, this damage is not always intentional. Factors such as ship anchors, submarines or even natural events often affect the cables, which are positioned at depths of between 1 and 8 kilometers on the seabed. Repairing these cables, in addition to being expensive, can take weeks, further worsening the impact on global communication networks.
Satellites as an emergency solution
In response to this vulnerability, NATO is developing the project HEISTa hybrid network that will act as a backup in the event of interruptions in submarine cables. Although they will not completely replace fiber optic cables, satellites would be a temporary solution to minimize losses caused by prolonged outages.
Still, there are significant limitations. While submarine cables offer transmission speeds of up to 100 Tbpsadvanced satellites like Starlink reach, at most, 200 Gbps. In other words, despite their emergency utility, satellites cannot meet the growing demand for data traffic in an efficient and continuous manner.
The challenge of protecting critical infrastructure
The importance of submarine cables in global communication is undeniable: More than 95% of the world’s internet data traffic passes through these networks. Its vulnerability, whether due to sabotage or accidents, reinforces the need for initiatives such as HEIST, but also demands greater vigilance and investment in security.
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Source: https://www.hardware.com.br/noticias/protegendo-a-conectividade-otan-planeja-rede-de-satelites-como-backup-para-cabos-submarinos-danificados.html
