Podmorskie kable telekomunikacyjne jako element globalnej infrastruktury krytycznej. Ocena podatności na zagrożenia
Undersea Telecommunication Cables as an Element of Global Critical Infrastructure. Assessment of Vulnerability

Summary/Abstract: The article is the first in Polish literature attempt topresent the role played in the modern information world by underseatelecommunications cables. The author draws a synthetic history of theundersea cables’ development as well as presents its current network.The article also discusses the most common causes that lead to cuttingthe cables and shows examples of such events and their consequences.The author also emphasizes that according to the international law of thesea the telecommunication cables are not subject to special protection.Although they are an important element of critical infrastructure, thisissue does not arouse the interest of states, because in the vast majoritythey are owned by private companies. The development of cable-basedcommunication is extremely dynamic. In a period shorter than that ofone generation, they transformed from a „means of communication”,useful, but without a critical importance, to the real „nervous system”of a globalized economy operating mainly based on virtual reality. Undersea cables, due to their economic, political and social importance, aswell as their physical characteristics, are potentially strongly exposed todestructive influences. They may be a consequence of natural disasters,but also of steps taken intentionally by individual people, extremistorganizations or even states.

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