This paper is a collaborative view of the NATO CCDCOE Strategy and Law Branch researchers highlighting the strategic importance of undersea cables in cyber security and the dependence of states on their functioning. This is not a complete catalogue of states’ dependence on undersea cables for cyber security, neither are the issues presented in any particular order. While the authors have made an effort to describe the dependence on undersea cables from a global perspective, it is acknowledged that there may be national and regional differences. The aim of the paper is solely to make member states and partnering countries reflect on the transmission of data via undersea cables and where necessary, strengthen their security efforts in this area.
The authors of this paper are independent researchers at the NATO CCDCOE; they do not represent NATO, nor does this paper reflect NATO’s position.