Taiwan official warns data gap threatens undersea cable security

Taiwan Network Information Center Chair Kenny Huang (黃勝雄) warned at a forum in Portugal on Wednesday that a lack of data is hindering efforts to protect undersea cables and other critical infrastructure.

Reporters reported that Huang made the remarks at the Mafra Dialogues, a forum on maritime security hosted by a Portuguese organization. The event brought together experts from Taiwan, India, and Portugal and was livestreamed online.

“Most undersea cable damage is caused by human activity, such as fishing operations or ship anchors,” Huang said. He added that the lack of reliable data makes it difficult to determine causes, assign responsibility, or take preventive action.

Huang stressed that “no data means no evidence,” noting that without evidence there can be no clear jurisdiction or control over maritime zones. He said this weakens a country’s ability to respond to threats and protect critical infrastructure.

He said building detailed digital models of exclusive economic zones using sonar imaging is essential to improve monitoring and decision-making. Such data would help authorities identify risks and plan appropriate responses.

Participants at the forum said undersea cables, energy systems, and digital networks form the backbone of modern economies and societies. They warned that these systems are increasingly targeted by hybrid threats, and attacks are often difficult to attribute but may be interconnected.

An Indian researcher said global maritime infrastructure, including cables, pipelines, offshore wind farms, and ports, is highly interconnected and requires international cooperation to protect. She said countries must share intelligence and coordinate responses as threats in maritime domains continue to grow.

A Portuguese defense expert said unmanned systems cannot replace human-operated systems but can support them. He added that rapid technological change poses challenges for defense planning, as systems can quickly become outdated if not continuously updated.