Protecting the global commons against rising threats to undersea, space infrastructure

U.S. Army 8th Theater Sustainment Command, National Security Law Team

The security of critical undersea and space networks has become a central concern for governments, businesses and international organizations. These vital cables, pipelines, satellites and data centers form the backbone of global communications, trade and security. As geopolitical tensions escalate, the need to safeguard these assets is increasingly urgent.

There are international laws such as the Outer Space Treaty (1967) and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982). Domestic laws and civil liability standards in most countries provide another level of deterrence. But malign actors are willing to ignore or violate these laws if it suits their interests.

The crucial networks are also vulnerable to nonstate actors such as terrorists and vandals, as well as to accidental damage.

Global commons refers to areas or resources shared by all nations but not owned by any nation. These include the high seas, outer space and the atmosphere. Although orbiting satellites, data centers, and undersea cables and pipelines may be built and maintained by individual countries or companies, access to the resources is fundamental to global commerce, communication, scientific advancement and national security.

Undersea cables, which carry about 99% of international data traffic, are a prime example of how the global commons are crucial to transnational business and communications. Additionally, pipelines that transport resources such as natural gas are vital for the global energy supply. Similarly, space-based infrastructure, such as satellites that provide everything from navigation to weather forecasting to telecommunications, is indispensable to nations worldwide.

However, the global commons are difficult to defend and susceptible to damage, whether by kinetic attacks, such as explosions, or by cyberattack.

Suspected attacks on undersea cables and pipelines are increasing. In 2022, the Nord Stream pipeline, which carries natural gas from Russia to Europe, was sabotaged, causing environmental damage and disrupting energy supplies across Europe.

In December 2024, an undersea power cable connecting Finland and Estonia, known as the Estlink-2, was severed in the Baltic Sea. Finnish authorities believe an oil tanker that is part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” used to evade Western sanctions over Moscow’s unprovoked war against Ukraine intentionally dragged its anchor more than 60 miles along the seafloor, damaging the cable. That followed the severing of another Baltic Sea cable in November 2024 and incidents of Russian spy ships mapping undersea infrastructure off the coasts of European member states of NATO.

In February 2025, a Chinese-crewed vessel registered in Togo was suspected of severing a subsurface fiber-optic cable connecting Taiwan to the Penghu Islands, strategic territory in the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan labeled the incident potential gray-zone harassment after detaining the eight crew members. China claims self-governed Taiwan as its territory and threatens to annex it by force.

Such attacks on critical infrastructure can have major economic and security ramifications.

Meanwhile, China and Russia are modernizing their space-based infrastructure and weapons. The United States and its Allies and Partners are increasingly concerned by the ability of the two authoritarian regimes to disrupt or destroy critical space assets with cyberattacks, direct-energy weapons and anti-satellite missiles.

Disabling space communication, navigation and weather satellites could cripple not only military operations but also civilian infrastructure on which economies rely. The Outer Space Treaty prohibits certain military activities and encourages the communal peaceful use and exploration of space.

The protection of undersea and space infrastructure must be a priority for the international community, which should establish stronger frameworks and agreements to safeguard the global commons, including:

• Strengthening international law: Clear, enforceable rules are needed to protect undersea cables, pipelines and space assets.
• Improved surveillance and monitoring: Nations must invest in advanced technologies to track undersea and space activities. This could include deploying satellites to detect threats and autonomous underwater sensors to secure cables and pipelines.
• Cybersecurity protocol: With global infrastructure increasingly dependent on digital technologies, protecting against cyberattacks is paramount. Governments must develop international norms for maritime and space cybersecurity and establish protocols for responding to cyberattacks.
• Joint defense initiatives: Nations should form alliances to ensure mutual protection of critical infrastructure, potentially including joint maritime and space patrols, as well as intelligence sharing on potential threats.

Recent attacks on pipelines and cables, coupled with growing threats in space, highlight the vulnerability of critical infrastructure. To prevent disruptions, countries must work together to safeguard the resources, ensuring that the global commons remain open and secure.

The U.S. Army’s 8th Theater Sustainment Command is based in Honolulu, Hawaii.