NatSec Matters Critical Lines - The Geopolitics of Undersea Cables: Erin Murphy
Aug 6, 2025
In this insightful discussion, CSIS researcher Erin Murphy sheds light on the unseen world of undersea cables, crucial for global communications and national security. She highlights how these cables are vital for military and financial operations, while also pointing out their vulnerabilities amid geopolitical tensions, particularly with China and Russia. Erin further explores the clash between private sector interests and national security, emphasizing the need for collaboration and updated regulations to protect these essential infrastructures. Prepare for a deep dive into a topic that affects us all!
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Cables Are The Internet Backbone
- Undersea cables are the backbone of the internet and carry most online traffic.
- Erin Murphy emphasizes that even podcast recordings and financial systems travel over subsea cables.
Reroute Immediately, Repair Carefully
- Operators can reroute traffic when single cables are damaged to maintain service.
- Plan for repairs that can take weeks or months and build redundancy accordingly.
Private Owners Drive Cable Decisions
- Most subsea cables are privately owned by consortia and hyperscalers like Google and Meta.
- Ownership shifted from telcos to hyperscalers, changing who decides where cables go.