Security of Cables: European Commission publishes landmark report and funding for Cable Hubs

During a visit to Riga (Latvia) Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen announced progress made on boosting the security and resilience of Europe’s critical submarine cable infrastructure, under the EU Action Plan on Cable Security.

Protecting cable infrastructure is helping tackle hybrid threats and improve the security and defence of the Union.

The Commission has published a report that includes mapping, risk assessment and stress testing of the EU's submarine cable infrastructures. This report was prepared and agreed with Member States, in the framework of the Expert Group set up under the Commission Recommendation (EU) 2024/779 on Secure and Resilient Submarine Cable Infrastructures.

The Commission is also announcing new funding opportunities under the Digital Europe Programme to establish Regional Cable Hubs and to stress-test the resilience of undersea cable infrastructures.

First report from the Cables Expert Group: Mapping, risk assessment and stress testing

The first report from the Cables Expert Group including the Commission, Member States and the European Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), has delivered on several actions under the prevention pillar of the Cables Action Plan: 

• a mapping of existing and planned submarine data cable infrastructures connecting EU territories between each other and with other parts of the world
• a coordinated risk assessment identifying seven main risk scenarios that build on different threats, vulnerabilities and dependencies
• a guidance to stress-test these risk scenarios

The report also provides a comprehensive policy and market overview of EU submarine data cable infrastructures.

Funding for cable security actions

The European Cybersecurity Competence Centre – the EU Central hub for managing cybersecurity funds – is publishing a €10 million Call dedicated to the establishment of Regional Cable Hubs, financed under the Digital Europe Programme. This is the first of several upcoming calls over the next three years dedicated to Hubs, worth a total €21 million. The EU will co-finance up to 70% of the cost for the establishment of these hubs.

Regional Cable Hubs will support the monitoring and detection of threats to submarine cables by aggregating the relevant data and information, develop AI-based threat analysis to set a near real time situational picture and allow faster response in case of incidents. The objective is to finance one hub per sea basin. The Commission is working with all interested Member States on the Hubs, with a particular focus on the Nordic Baltic region which will be a test bed for such infrastructure.

Additionally, the Centre is launching a €10 million call to support preparedness and stress testing the resilience of critical infrastructure, under the Cyber Solidarity Act.

To support the pivotal role that submarine cables play in securing and maintaining reliable digital connectivity, the Commission has already made significant investments through initiatives such as CEF Digital. A total of 51 Digital Global Gateways projects have been funded under CEF Digital calls, amounting to €420 million, with a new wave of projects to be announced shortly.

Next steps

The Expert Group is working on the next report, expected by the end of 2025, to deliver a Cable Security Toolbox of mitigating measures, in response to the results of the EU risk assessment; and a priority list of Cable Projects of European Interest (CPEIs), to be prioritised for future public support, such as under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and other programmes.

Member States have until 31/03/2026 to respond to the Call, to build a Consortium in each sea basin and present a project proposal.

Background

In February 2024, the Commission adopted its Recommendation (EU) 2024/779 on Secure and Resilient Submarine Cable Infrastructures, which foresees a Submarine Cable Infrastructure Expert Group, chaired by the European Commission and composed of representatives from Member State authorities as well as the European Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA). 

In February 2025, the Commission and the High Representative adopted a Joint Communication on an EU Action Plan on Cable Security, with a set of measures to safeguard critical submarine cable infrastructures, encompassing the whole resilience cycle: prevention, detection, response & recovery, and deterrence.

Torsten Schack Pedersen, Danish Minister for Resilience and Preparedness and representing the Presidency of the Council of the EU said:

"EU submarine cable infrastructure is an essential backbone of the European Union’s connectivity, economy and security of supply. This report is an important step towards further strengthening of this critical infrastructure. Denmark will continue to prioritise the EU Action Plan on Cable Security during our presidency of the Council of the European Union. It is crucial that the Member States and the Commission continue cooperation on this matter."