Source · Select Committees · National Security Strategy (Joint Committee)
Recommendation 3
3
Accepted
We also found sceptical views in some parts of the cable industry about the risks...
Conclusion
We also found sceptical views in some parts of the cable industry about the risks of co-ordinated attacks. We agree that resilience across the sector is generally robust, major disruption is unlikely, and hype is unhelpful. But we caution against adopting ‘business as usual’ industry views to determine national security risk: individual operators have few financial incentives to prepare for a crisis that may never come. The Government, by contrast, has a duty to prepare competently for low-likelihood, high-risk scenarios. The lessons of 9/11, the financial crash, Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine are reminders that such events do happen. (Conclusion, Paragraph 38) 62
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the underlying sentiment, committing to ensuring subsea cable infrastructure is geographically diverse and working with industry and Crown Estates to secure space for future routes to support long-term resilience.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Government agrees with this recommendation. We recognise the importance of ensuring subsea cable infrastructure is geographically diverse and acknowledge that, where practicable, reducing clustering around high-concentration points is beneficial. The Government continues to work closely with industry, The Crown Estate, and The Crown Estate Scotland, to ensure that there is space available for future subsea cable routes and landings in geographically diverse areas around the UK. We recognise that the number of suitable locations for cable landings is limited for technical reasons. However, our proactive planning is designed to support the long-term resilience of the UK’s subsea connectivity. diversification where possible, and to ensure that future developments take account of both operational needs and national security considerations.