Cables That Listen Beneath the Waves

Real-time monitoring turns fiber lines into early-warning systems for European infrastructure

10 Apr 2025

Europe’s undersea infrastructure is receiving a security upgrade, as a new project in the North Sea converts fibre-optic cables into continuous threat detection systems. The initiative aims to counter rising fears of sabotage and outages affecting critical energy and data links.

German technology firm AP Sensing has introduced a system that transforms existing communications cables into real-time monitoring tools. Now operational in the North Sea, the system identifies threats such as divers, anchors and submersibles, providing immediate alerts to onshore control centres. The company claims the technology offers a low-cost security solution without the need for new infrastructure.

The deployment follows recent incidents in the Baltic Sea that exposed vulnerabilities in Europe’s submarine cable network. These disruptions have prompted European Union officials and NATO to place greater emphasis on securing undersea assets.

“Turning fibre cables into live sensors gives operators a critical edge,” said Daniel Gerwig, global sales manager at AP Sensing. “It is about spotting danger before it disrupts vital services.”

The system forms part of a wider European effort to strengthen infrastructure security. NATO has expanded military exercises in the Baltic, while Brussels has proposed new measures to protect subsea networks crucial to energy supply and internet connectivity.

Industry experts forecast that real-time cable monitoring will soon be adopted more broadly, as telecom and energy companies incorporate the technology into their operational strategies.

While security specialists acknowledge that no system offers complete protection, converting existing cables into early warning systems is viewed as a significant step. Companies can enhance resilience with minimal additional cost or construction delays.