Faced with increasing threats to undersea internet infrastructure, NATO has initiated the HEIST (Hybrid Space/Submarine Architecture Ensuring Infosec of Telecommunications) project to create a hybrid network linking undersea cables with satellite communications. The goal is to ensure continuity of data flow even if traditional links fail. 

Importance of undersea cables 

Currently, more than 95% of international internet transmission is carried out via undersea cables, whose total length exceeds 1.2 million kilometers. They are crucial to global communications, but at the same time vulnerable to damage from human activity, natural disasters or deliberate acts of sabotage. 

An example of the vulnerability of this infrastructure is the incident that took place in February 2024, when the cargo ship Rubymar dragged its anchor along the bottom of the Red Sea after a missile attack, rupturing three fiber optic cables. As a result, about 25% of Internet traffic between Europe and Asia had to be rerouted, highlighting the fragility of the global communications network. 

Undersea cable network / overview image 

Purpose of the HEIST Project 

The HEIST project aims to increase the resilience of internet infrastructure by: 

• Rapidly detecting and accurately locating damage to undersea cables. 

• Automatically rerouting data through alternative channels, including satellites, in the event of  failure. 

This will allow critical data to be transmitted even in emergency situations. 

HEIST plans to use advanced technologies such as: 

high-bandwidth laser links for satellite communications, capable of transmitting much more data than traditional radio systems. 

Rapid cable damage detection systems with one-meter accuracy that will reduce repair times and minimize internet outages. 

International collaboration 

The project is being carried out by the HEIST consortium, including researchers from the US, Sweden, Iceland and Switzerland, as well as partners from the private sector and government institutions. Testing of the system is planned for 2025 at the Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden. 

The NATO initiative aims to create a more resilient and reliable Internet infrastructure that can function even in the face of major disruptions. This will safeguard international communications from potential threats, which is crucial for global security and stability. 

Sources: NATO, TechRadar.com, Benchmark.co.uk