In a decisive move to bolster the European Union’s digital infrastructure, the European Commission has unveiled an ambitious strategy to enhance the security and resilience of submarine cable networks, announcing a €347 million investment and a new security framework. The initiative, highlighted in the article titled “Commission increases submarine cable security with EU347 million investment and new toolbox,” published on the European Commission’s Digital Strategy website, marks a significant step toward safeguarding critical digital arteries that underpin EU connectivity.
The funding, which is set to be channeled through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF Digital) over the 2024 call for proposals, is designated to support the construction of new cross-border and submarine cable infrastructure. These investments aim both to diversify Europe’s connectivity routes and to reduce strategic dependencies on non-EU providers. According to the Commission, ensuring the physical and cybersecurity of undersea cables is essential, as nearly all international internet traffic relies on them.
Alongside this financial commitment, the Commission has introduced a new “Toolbox on Submarine Cable Security.” Developed in collaboration with EU Member States and relevant stakeholders, the toolbox provides a framework of best practices and cooperative mechanisms designed to mitigate risks across the entire lifecycle of cable systems—from the planning and deployment stages to their operation and decommissioning. Emphasis is placed on both preventive measures and responsive capabilities, reflecting growing concerns over potential sabotage and geopolitical vulnerabilities.
The development comes against a backdrop of mounting global attention to the strategic importance of undersea cables, which have increasingly become focal points in the evolving landscape of hybrid threats. The Commission underlined that the initiative aligns with broader EU priorities in cybersecurity, digital sovereignty, and the secure deployment of next-generation digital infrastructure. By enhancing coordination among Member States and promoting shared risk assessments, the toolbox aims to create a harmonized approach across the Union.
Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton stated that resilient and secure cross-border infrastructure is indispensable for the EU’s internal market and digital future. He stressed that by investing in secure cable systems and providing the right tools to defend them, the EU is asserting its strategic autonomy in the digital domain.
The €347 million allocation and supporting policy efforts represent not only a technical upgrade but also a clear geopolitical signal that the EU intends to take greater responsibility for the integrity of the digital backbone it depends upon. As implementation begins, success will likely rest on the ability of EU institutions and Member States to operationalize the toolbox effectively while ensuring that public and private sectors maintain robust partnerships in the face of evolving security challenges.
