Keeping the Internet Afloat. Submarine Cables and Their Daily Drama
Oh, the tangled webs we weave—underwater! This document dives deep into the murky waters of the submarine cable systems that keep your tweets tweeting and your snaps snapping. It's not just about the internet; these cables are the lifelines of international communication and cloud networking. But alas, the life of a submarine cable isn't all smooth sailing.
From the wrath of Poseidon himself in the form of undersea earthquakes and tsunamis to the more mundane threats of Jaws wannabes and clumsy ship anchors, these cables face dangers that could sever our cat video supply. And let's not forget the human element—pirates and terrorists who apparently have nothing better to do than mess with our binge-watching plans.
This document talks about beefing up underwater defenses with high-tech solutions like Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) to keep those pesky anchors away, and 24/7 monitoring of marine activities at Network Operation Centers (NOCs). Because who needs sleep when you could be monitoring the deep blue sea?
And in a move that would make any open-source enthusiast proud, it champions the adoption of open access cable systems. Because sharing is caring, even several thousand feet underwater.
So, if you're a cybersecurity professional, a law enforcement agent, or just a nerd for all things nautical and networked, this document is your treasure map. It offers a treasure trove of insights into the current state of submarine cable systems, the perils they navigate, and the strategies we mere mortals can employ to protect these vital veins of the virtual world. Here's to keeping the data flowing and the internet glowing.
unpacking in more detail (PDF)