Report Warns of Chinese Threats to Trans-Pacific Subsea Cables
Summary
A U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission report warns that cable sabotage could strain trans-Pacific capacity and urges acoustic sensors, a lead security agency, more repair ships and outage plans.
Key points
- The report says cables landing in Taiwan or crossing waters claimed by Beijing score higher for risk; shallow, crowded shipping lanes may make deliberate damage look accidental.
- Researchers estimate that losing three of four direct U.S.-Taiwan cables could exceed remaining active capacity at peak demand.
- If all four direct U.S.-Taiwan cables were severed, the report estimates trans-Pacific networks could have as little as 2% spare capacity at peak demand.
- The report estimates that losing the JUNO and Pacific Light Cable Network cables could push peak demand up to 70% beyond activated capacity.
- Researchers warn that detours could add more than 900 milliseconds to round trips; lighting unused fiber could ease capacity constraints.
- The report identifies a 4,000-meter-class cable-cutting device and a planned crewed seabed station as potential Chinese capabilities, according to its authors.
- Recommendations include acoustic sensors for new cables in high-risk areas, assigning an agency to lead cable security, funding at least five regional repair ships by 2040, and developing outage playbooks.
Article Details
- Publisher
- Data Breach Today (ISMG)
- Report Period
- September; year not stated
- Scope
- Risks to trans-Pacific subsea cables, including sabotage scenarios, capacity impacts, repair readiness, and policy responses.
- Key Statistics
- Four of the 10 highest-scoring cables in the report's vulnerability index are under construction.
- The report says losing any one of three of the four direct U.S.-Taiwan cables could leave peak traffic above remaining active capacity.
- Losing two of the Philippines' three direct links to Guam could create a similar capacity shortfall.
- A scenario severing all four direct U.S.-Taiwan cables could leave the broader trans-Pacific network with as little as 2% spare capacity at peak demand.
- The report estimates that losing JUNO and the Pacific Light Cable Network could push peak demand up to 70% beyond operators' switched-on capacity.
- Recommendations
- Make acoustic sensors a licensing condition for new cables in high-risk areas.
- Assign the Department of Homeland Security or another agency responsibility for subsea cable security.
- Help fund at least five new repair ships for the region by 2040.
- Have CISA or another body work with sectors such as financial clearing and health care on outage playbooks that prioritize data flows.
- Increase penalties for negligent and deliberate undersea cable damage.
People
Mike KuikenThe U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission's vice chair; commented on the report's framing of cable security as a warfighting problem.Yadollah JavaniDeputy commander in Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps; warned that internet cables under the Strait of Hormuz would not be safe if Iran's infrastructure were hit.
Countries
ChinaResearchers at the China Strategic Risks Institute published a recent report for the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission warning that Beijing is building the means to sabotage trans-Pacific cables withoutIranYadollah Javani, a deputy commander in Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, warned on state television last week that internet cables running under the Strait of Hormuz "will not be safe" if Iran's infrastructureJapanDamage to an undersea cable could severely disrupt internet routes between the United States and Taiwan, Japan or the Philippines and force traffic onto slower detours, according to a new report.PhilippinesDamage to an undersea cable could severely disrupt internet routes between the United States and Taiwan, Japan or the Philippines and force traffic onto slower detours, according to a new report.TaiwanDamage to an undersea cable could severely disrupt internet routes between the United States and Taiwan, Japan or the Philippines and force traffic onto slower detours, according to a new report.United StatesDamage to an undersea cable could severely disrupt internet routes between the United States and Taiwan, Japan or the Philippines and force traffic onto slower detours, according to a new report.