Australia’s undersea internet cables pose significant risks due to sabotage, accidents, and hacking. These critical infrastructure carry 99% of Australia’s data and are essential for its digital connectivity. If disrupted, it would have serious geopolitical implications for Australian security.
Australia’s Undersea Cables: A Critical yet Vulnerable Infrastructure
Introduction
Australia is connected to the world through a network of undersea cables that carry 99% of its data. These cables are vulnerable to various threats, including sabotage, accidents, and hacking.
The Importance of Undersea Cables
Undersea cables are critical for Australia’s digital connectivity. They enable fast and reliable communication between distant lands, carrying up to 300 terabits of data per second. According to Cynthia Mehboob, a researcher at the Australian National University, “Without them, the internet as we know it would cease to exist.”
Threats to Undersea Cables
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Sabotage: Intentional damage to the cables can have serious geopolitical implications.
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Accidents: Fishing incidents, dredging, and anchors dragged over the cables can cause damage.
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Hacking: Cyber attacks on the cables can disrupt communication.
Recent Incidents
In 2022, two of the three cables connecting Tasmania to the mainland were accidentally cut. In the Baltic Sea, two cables were damaged in a suspected sabotage attack last month.
Australia’s Response
The Australian government has announced plans to spend $18m over four years on a cable connectivity and resilience centre. This move is seen as part of the Quad’s efforts to limit China’s influence.
Conclusion
Key Statistics
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99% of Australia’s data is carried through undersea cables.
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Up to 300 terabits of data can be carried per second.
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$167bn: the contribution of digital technology to the Australian economy each year.
The Backbone of Global Data Transfer
Threats to the Cables
These cables are vulnerable to sabotage and accidents, as well as hacking. In addition, they can be damaged by fishing incidents, such as dredging, nets, and trawlers, or by anchors dragged over them. Geological events like underwater landslides or volcanoes also pose a threat.
The Importance of the Cables
The cables are essential for Australia’s defense, intelligence sharing, and international relations. Disrupting these cables would have serious geopolitical implications for Australian security.
Last month, two Baltic Sea cables were damaged in a suspected sabotage attack. Experts say that Australia’s own cables are not immune to threats.
The Role of Satellites
While satellites are critical for remote areas and some backup, the backbone of the internet is still the undersea cables. They offer faster, cheaper, and higher capacity data transfer than satellite technology.
Consequences of a Disruption
If Australia were cut off entirely from these cables, essential services would be disrupted, and there would be significant political, military, and economic ramifications. The internet as we know it would cease to exist without them.
Growing Reliance on the Cables
Australia’s reliance on the cables will only grow, according to experts. They are critical for data transfer, and their capacity is virtually limitless.
New Developments
Google Cloud has revealed its Australia Connect project, which aims to expand and strengthen the resilience of Australia’s digital connectivity. The Australian government has also announced plans to spend $18m on a cable connectivity and resilience centre.
Geopolitics Involving Australia, China, Taiwan, and the Pacific
The geopolitics involving these countries remain complicated, with no easy way to work out if damage to the cables is intentional or not.
Cable Protection Zones
While Australia has cable protection zones, flagging them makes it clear to potential bad actors exactly where the cables are. This adds complexity to the attribution of intentional sabotage on the sea bed.
