Subsea cables being developed to detect sabotage attempts

Technological advancements are being made to help subsea fiber optic cables detect disturbances or potential sabotage. Recently, a diver was caught on camera monitoring a cable on the North Sea floor, triggering a signal that the technology was able to detect. This has become important due to recent damage reports of undersea telecommunications cables. In response to concerns, NATO has started the "Baltic Sentry" mission to monitor the Baltic Sea with aircraft, ships, and drones. The EU is also increasing efforts to protect these vital cables, which are essential for internet data transmission between countries. However, it's impossible for authorities to monitor everything at all times, so companies are developing ways to listen for disturbances, like underwater drones or boats. AP Sensing, a German company, has been testing their technology to see how well it can identify disturbances around cables. For example, their fiber optic cables can capture vibrations from activities like a boat dropping an anchor. Their tests show that the technology can detect movement and even the size and location of vessels passing above. While the potential for this technology is significant, there are challenges. Experts say that the sensing technology has limitations. It cannot detect disturbances over long distances without additional devices installed along the cables. Additionally, serious damage can still occur despite protective measures, such as metal casings around the cables. As the demand for fiber optic sensing grows, some firms are exploring how these cables could be deployed in strategic locations, like near ports or gas pipelines. Despite advancements, experts indicate that protecting cables from intentional damage remains difficult. Even with the best protection, strong impacts can cause damage. Overall, while the visible military response to recent submarine cable disruptions is positive, the effectiveness of detection technology will depend on quick reactions from authorities.