Irish waters may be a 'choke point' in terms of vulnerability of subsea cables

The webinar heard a recommendation that Ireland should harden the physical and cybersecurity of the land components of data cables. File picture: Ander Gillenea/AFP/Getty

Irish-controlled waters are considered internationally a “choke point” in terms of the vulnerability of transatlantic subsea cables, a UN expert has said.

Around 11 fibre optic cables, connecting North America to Europe, pass through or near Ireland’s EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone), which stretches over 200 nautical miles off the south west and west coast.