Cable Landing Station Security Guidance

Undersea cables carry 99%+ of the UK’s international internet traffic. These high-capacity data flows underpin the UK’s digital economy, national security, and global communications. Cable landing stations (CLS) are a critical part of the UK’s subsea telecommunication cable network, acting as the physical interface between undersea cables and terrestrial infrastructure. Due to their strategic importance, CLS are high-value targets for both physical and cyber threats. The Government is committed to strengthening the security of UK cable landing stations.

To support this work, we intend to commission an accredited security consultancy to produce security guidance for CLS operators. This work will be jointly overseen by DSIT, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA).

Deliverables:

Deliverable 1: Written guidance for cable landing station operators – one report setting out bespoke security guidance for CLS operators, that sets out technical protective security measures that operators should take, in a DSIT branded and editable format.

Deliverable 2: A presentation on the guidance and its recommendations.

Deliverable 3: An evidence compendium, setting out individual measures within the guidance and evidence in support of each measure, and identifying guidance or evidentiary gaps.