Japan Voices Subsea Cable Security Concerns to Ireland, Citing Cybersecurity Threats & Russian Activity
Tokyo, Japan – Japan has formally expressed concerns to Ireland regarding the security of critical subsea cables running off the Irish coast, highlighting potential vulnerabilities to cybersecurity threats and suspicious activity. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba raised the issue during a meeting with Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin in Tokyo on Wednesday, seeking assurances that the Irish government is proactively safeguarding these vital infrastructure components [[1]].
Key Concerns & Irish Response:
The Japanese Prime Minister specifically referenced the presence of Russian fishing vessels near the interconnector between Britain and Ireland, as well as near subsea cables used for global data transmission, raising alarm about potential interference [[1]]. Ireland, a growing technology hub with notable data traffic flowing thru these cables, was described as a “very important technology centre” by Mr.Ishiba [[1]].
Taoiseach Martin responded by outlining Ireland’s existing security measures, including:
National Cybersecurity Centre: Ireland has established a dedicated centre focused on cybersecurity.
NATO Cooperation: A tailored cybersecurity cooperation plan is in place with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation [[1]]. EU pesco Projects: Participation in European Union’s Permanent Structured Cooperation (Pesco) projects aimed at bolstering cybersecurity expertise and protecting subsea cables [[1]].
National forum: A national forum was held two years ago to address modern-day security challenges, prioritizing subsea cable protection and cybersecurity resilience [[1]].
Both leaders agreed on the necessity of continued collaboration and details sharing in the evolving landscape of cybersecurity [[1]]. Officials from both countries will engage further to exchange expertise and knowledge.
Broader Context:
This development underscores the growing global awareness of the vulnerability of subsea cables – the backbone of the internet – to both accidental damage and deliberate attacks. The incident also highlights Ireland’s increasing importance as a key technology and data hub, attracting significant investment from Japanese companies in sectors like technology, life sciences, and financial services [[1]].
The meeting also touched upon Ireland’s commitment to nuclear disarmament and the avoidance of conflict, with Taoiseach Martin’s upcoming visit to Hiroshima symbolizing this stance.**[CTA: Stay informed on global security threats. Subscribe to World-Today-
