NATO has invested in an Internet project that seeks to redirect information traffic from undersea cables to satellites. This project arose as a preventive measure against possible attacks or damage caused by natural disasters that could affect the submarine infrastructure for data transmission.
Internet project will strengthen data security
According to a Bloomberg report, the Internet project involves an international team of researchers from the United States, Iceland, Sweden and Switzerland. These academics are developing technologies that would enable a seamless shift of Internet traffic to satellite systems in critical and contingency situations. NATO has recognized the importance of this project and, through its Science for Peace and Security Program, has contributed a grant of up to $433,600, out of a total of $2.5 million needed for its implementation.
In addition, NATO advisor and program manager Eyup Kuntay Turmus mentioned that the implementation of the project will start soon. However, a two-year period dedicated to testing prototypes and navigating through a complicated international regulatory framework is anticipated before the system can be fully operational.
Collaborators in the project include Viasat, a U.S. satellite internet company that suffered a cyber attack during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Sierra Space, and Icelandic cybersecurity firm Syndis. One of the objectives of the project is to improve the detection of threats to submarine cables, increasing the accuracy in locating disturbances from one kilometer to just meters.
This project is particularly relevant given that the majority of Internet traffic, as well as data representing approximately $10 trillion in financial transactions, transits through these cables. The potential impact of a failure in these systems was demonstrated in March, when a massive internet outage severely affected West and Central Africa.
To further strengthen security measures, NATO has established a center dedicated to coordinating practices to protect this vital infrastructure in response to incidents such as the explosion of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. Nord Stream 2 pipeline explosion pipeline explosion last September 2022. The European Commission has also issued warnings about the need to improve the security of submarine cables in the face of rising global tensions.
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Source: Techspot
Photo: AI-generated
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