Sheri Biggs on Undersea Cable Security and DHS Oversight

Critical Role of Undersea Cables

• 💡 Undersea cables are vital for the security and daily functioning of the United States.
• ⚠️ The current oversight structure for protecting these assets is fragmented across multiple federal agencies.

Ambiguity and Gaps in Oversight

• 🧩 The lack of a single designated federal lead creates ambiguity, leading to gaps in oversight.
• 🎯 This ambiguity leaves the industry without a clear point of contact during emerging threats.
• ❓ Congress needs to determine if the current structure is adequate for today's risk environment.

Proposed Federal Lead for Cable Security

• 🏠 The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is suggested as a potential lead agency for overseeing undersea cable security.
• 🤝 DHS could facilitate two-way threat intelligence sharing with the industry.
• 🗺️ A holistic approach, involving DHS working with industry to map supply chains, is recommended to identify and mitigate risks, particularly concerning China's potential access.

Core Responsibilities and Strategies

• 🔑 A single hub to coordinate undersea cable security would be beneficial.
• 🛠️ Responsibilities should include supply chain mitigation, hardening cable landing stations, and ensuring industry innovation in detection technologies.
• 🚢 Promoting physical diversity of cables is crucial, as current efforts appear to have stalled.
• 💰 A policy to prosecute companies damaging cables is needed for actual deterrence.

Innovative Oversight Approaches

• 🚀 DHS could implement a "boat bounty" program to identify vessels, such as Russian ships flying under flags of convenience.
• 🚨 DHS should also leverage its role in national emergency planning to assist in contingency plans for undersea cable security.