NATO military and civilian sector leaders gathered in Brussels on Tuesday to explore ways to improve their response to critical undersea infrastructure threats.
The gathering, which also involved industry representatives, reviewed strategies aimed at boosting situational awareness and improving information sharing and preparedness. Participants also examined best practices for deterring and defending against an undersea attack.
“Leveraging innovation and technology, including through increased sensing and monitoring to detect suspicious activity near critical undersea infrastructure, is a key focus,” said Jean-Charles Ellermann-Kingombe, assistant secretary general for innovation, hybrid and cyber at NATO. “This is not a new problem set for NATO, but it is one that requires even closer cooperation between civilian and military actors in the face of intensifying hostile campaigns, including by Russia.”
Addressing Growing Threats
A December 2023 report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies recommends that NATO create a dedicated unit to oversee CUI threats, noting that the military alliance does not have the proper mechanisms to address threats amid increasing Russian aggression.
In May, the alliance formed the Maritime Centre for Security of Critical Undersea Infrastructure, based in London with a presence at NATO Headquarters, to coordinate efforts between member states to secure a wide range of CUI, from internet cables to energy pipelines.
The alliance is also investing in further protecting the infrastructure against criminal activities. In a recent interview with Defense News, French Navy Adm. Pierre Vandier, chief of NATO’s Allied Command Transformation, disclosed the early development of a fleet of unmanned surface vessels to protect critical components under the sea.