UK Government Responds to Undersea Cable Threats
The UK government has outlined a set of plans for new powers and penalties to help it protect UK undersea cables during national security emergencies, the BBC reports. This follows reports that Russia is using commercial fishing trawlers to map undersea cables, with 500 incidents of Russian boats loitering above cables in the last four and a half years.
In a policy paper shared this week, the British government noted that the UK is "highly dependent" on undersea infrastructure owned by private sector companies. While the report notes that connectivity is "resilient," with "faults rarely causing noticeable disruption to data or energy availability," it is still "vulnerable to damage from accidents and potential sabotage."
As a result, the UK is consulting on changes to legislation to address these risks, especially as "threats to the homeland from state actors are increasing" and "critical national infrastructure, including undersea cables and pipelines... continue to be a target."
New Criminal Offenses Proposed
The proposed changes include new criminal offenses, such as causing a security compromise to critical undersea infrastructure. This covers both physical and non-physical interference, including remote electronic interference, cyber activity, and preparatory conduct aimed at compromising infrastructure. Additional offenses would be linked to obstructing repairs and failing to preserve evidence when requested.
With these new offenses, the UK government proposes penalties on a three-tier scale. Up to 14 years' imprisonment is suggested for intentional conduct, 10 years for reckless conduct, and two years for grossly negligent conduct, alongside potentially unlimited fines. The government is also considering an even higher maximum penalty for more serious cases and whether these penalties will apply solely within the UK's national waters or further afield.
Emergency Ministerial Powers
The proposals also grant new powers to government ministers. In a national emergency, UK ministers could order telecom companies to remove or disable services. Ministers would also be able to compel telecom companies to grant officials access to sensitive sites, such as cable landing stations.
These proposals are part of a White Paper, an official UK government policy paper for new legislation. Interested parties can respond via an online questionnaire until January 14, 2027.
Context of UK-Russia Relations
UK relations with Russia, similar to much of the Western world, have deteriorated since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Other incidents, such as the Salisbury Novichok poisonings in 2018, have also contributed to steadily worsening relations between the two countries.
Recent Incidents and Threats
Meanwhile, Russia has made several efforts to map and plan attacks against undersea cables in Europe. In September, reports indicated that NATO allies had foiled a Russian training exercise involving a "secret weapon" targeting undersea cables in Norway. Additionally, in January, Royal Navy attack helicopters were deployed to deter a Russian ship loitering less than a mile from five undersea cables in UK waters. This was one of 500 such incidents involving Russian ships reported this week.
