{"id":248382,"date":"2025-05-20T16:03:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-20T14:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cls.fr\/?p=248382"},"modified":"2025-11-14T16:13:35","modified_gmt":"2025-11-14T15:13:35","slug":"submarine-cables-challenge-beneath-sea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cls.fr\/en\/submarine-cables-challenge-beneath-sea\/","title":{"rendered":"Submarine Cables: The Challenge Beneath the Sea"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>Silent, invisible and essential, submarine cables stretch for thousands of kilometers across the ocean floor. They carry over 95% of global internet traffic, and their disruption can instantly affect not just connectivity, but also national sovereignty and economic stability.<\/p>\n<p>Yet despite their importance, these critical connections face multiple risks. From a ship dropping its anchor in the wrong place to suspicious activity near sensitive areas.<\/p>\n<p>In this context, CLS\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/maritime-intelligence.groupcls.com\/solutions\/maritime-domain-awareness-and-law-enforcement\/maritime-awareness-system\/\">Maritime Awareness System (MAS)<\/a> stands out as a decisive tool. MAS is an advanced maritime surveillance platform. We offer a complete range of maritime domain monitoring services through our MAS platform, our team of experts analysis, big data and artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n<p>Its objective is to provide a comprehensive view of what can happen beneath the sea. With its ability to detect unusual behavior and trigger alerts in critical areas, MAS offers a unique and proactive solution for safeguarding these essential networks.<\/p>\n<p>To understand how MAS contributes to the protection of this system, we spoke with C\u00e9dric Lorillec. He is the head of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cls.fr\/en\/expertise\/vigisat-sar-station-network\/\">VIGISAT<\/a> unit, the French radar satellite image reception station based in Brest. From this key position, he shares his perspective on today\u2019s maritime challenges and the role of MAS as an essential tool for securing global connectivity beneath the sea.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;2_3,1_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||0px||false|false&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;2_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2>MAS: A Strategic Response to Silent Threats<\/h2>\n<p>Submarine cables are more than just infrastructures. According to C\u00e9dric Lorillec, \u201cThey are vital assets whose failure can directly impact both national sovereignties and economic actors.\u201d Recent events have reminded the world that these invisible installations, especially outside territorial waters, are highly vulnerable. And sometimes, a civilian vessel and an anchor are all it takes to inflict serious damage.<\/p>\n<p>This type of sabotage, in terms of diplomatic international relations, the country responsable should be able to deny any role in it. They are calculated disruptions\u2014difficult to trace, harder still to prevent. In this context, CLS\u2019s Maritime Awareness System (MAS) becomes an important line of defense.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;]<div id=\"attachment_248388\" style=\"width: 693px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-248388\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cls.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/LORILLEC-Cedric-683x1024.jpg\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"LORILLEC Cedric\" class=\"wp-image-248388 size-large\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cls.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/LORILLEC-Cedric-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/www.cls.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/LORILLEC-Cedric-480x720.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 683px, 100vw\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-248388\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">C\u00e9dric Lorillec, Head of the VIGISAT Unit<\/p><\/div>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>C\u00e9dric explains that MAS offers a dual approach to securing underwater cables:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Preventive<\/strong>: MAS ensures surveillance of maritime traffic in areas of interest. It identifies suspicious behavior and alerts relevant authorities. In many cases, this leads to early intervention\u2014ranging from radio contact to the deployment of naval units.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Reactive<\/strong>: When an incident occurs, MAS can instantly synthesize data to identify all vessels present in the area\u2014even those that have disabled their identification systems. This rapid situational awareness is crucial to any response effort.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/maritime-intelligence.groupcls.com\/top-5-most-used-mas-features-for-next-level-maritime-domain-awareness\/&#8221; button_text=&#8221;Discover the top 5 most-used MAS features&#8221; button_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2>Human Expertise + AI<\/h2>\n<p>Protecting global cable networks requires more than data. It requires understanding. MAS combines the power of big data with the insight of expert analysis. The system processes an enormous volume of maritime information\u2014from AIS signals to satellite imagery, administrative databases, and open-source intelligence (OSINT). Artificial intelligence is used to detect anomalies and learn from past patterns.<\/p>\n<p>But technology alone is not enough. As C\u00e9dric emphasizes, \u201cThe expertise of VIGISAT teams is essential.\u201d These specialists configure complex alerts and interpret contextual signals that AI alone might miss. Their work ensures permanent monitoring of sensitive zones and supports the continuous improvement of MAS algorithms.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cls.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Database.jpg\" width=\"900\" height=\"675\" alt=\"Database\" class=\"wp-image-248390 aligncenter size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cls.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Database.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.cls.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Database-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 900px, 100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>The Challenge Beneath the Sea of Submarine Cables<\/h2>\n<p>Submarine cables are no longer just technical assets, they are strategic infrastructure. Their protection requires not only awareness, but action. With MAS, CLS contributes every day to securing the invisible systems that sustain our global connectivity. Because protecting what lies beneath is now essential to everything above.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=&#8221;@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6Ijk1In19@&#8221; button_text=&#8221;Contact our team&#8221; button_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _dynamic_attributes=&#8221;button_url&#8221; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Silent, invisible and essential, submarine cables stretch for thousands of kilometers across the ocean floor. They carry over 95% of global internet traffic, and their disruption can instantly affect not just connectivity, but also national sovereignty and economic stability. Yet despite their importance, these critical connections face multiple risks. From a ship dropping its anchor [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":248383,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[88,69],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-248382","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-maritime-security","category-securite-maritime"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cls.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/248382","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cls.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cls.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cls.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cls.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=248382"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.cls.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/248382\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":248393,"href":"https:\/\/www.cls.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/248382\/revisions\/248393"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cls.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/248383"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cls.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=248382"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cls.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=248382"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cls.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=248382"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}