The Minister for Defence has told a conference in Valentia that subsea cables are at risk of cyber attacks.
Helen McEntee has been speaking at the second annual Subsea Cable Security and Resilience Symposium.
The first transatlantic cable connecting Europe with North America was laid between Valentia Island and Newfoundland in the 19th century.
The Minister for Defence and Foreign Affairs told the gathering in Valentia that this country’s prosperity, connectivity and energy security are inseparable from the integrity of our undersea infrastructure.
Minister Helen McEntee said subsea cables carry the vast majority of global data flows, underpinning everything from financial systems to public services.
She told the conference they also support critical services including hospitals.
Minister McEntee warned this infrastructure is increasingly exposed – to hybrid threats, cyber attacks and geopolitical tensions.
She said she has launched the National Maritime Security Strategy and has also directed officials to develop urgent legislation to ensure that Irish Defence Forces have appropriate enforcement powers at sea, in line with international law.
The minister said this is in light of growing maritime threats and in preparation for Ireland’s forthcoming EU Presidency.
Minister McEntee acknowledged the work that has been done by the Valentia Island Transatlantic Cable Foundation to promote and raise the profile of the Transatlantic Cable Ensemble whose aim is for Valentia to become a UNESCO World Heritage site.
