Google’s New Cable Plans to Enhance Physical Internet Security
Google Cloud is set to play a role in constructing a new high-tech subsea cable system to enhance Australia’s online connectivity with the world.
When people think of internet security, they often picture firewalls and virus-blocking software, but the physical infrastructure that delivers the data, particularly undersea cables connecting countries, is also a critical vulnerability. Currently, there are approximately 1.4 million kilometers of submarine cables in use globally.
Most cables serving Australia currently end in Perth (5) or Sydney (12), with additional cables planned for the Sunshine Coast and Darwin by 2027.
International submarine cables currently connecting to Australia. ACMA/CC BY 4.0
Given the escalating global threats and recent cyberattacks on Australian and New Zealand government infrastructure, a new advanced subsea cable system with new landing points is being constructed to securely transmit high volumes of data from the US, Australia, and Asia.
The Australia Connect project, a joint effort by Google Cloud and its partners, aims to position the nation as a data hub for the region, bridging the Pacific to the internet.
The Bosun subsea cable will link Darwin to Christmas Island, offering onward connectivity to Singapore. This cable system also establishes connections between Melbourne, Perth, and Christmas Island.
The route of the new Bosun and Interconnect cables. Courtesy of Google
Google Cloud’s Brian Quigley noted that, in addition to the Bosun subsea cable, they are collaborating with partners to establish terrestrial fiber pairs linking Darwin to the Sunshine Coast, connecting Bosun with the Tabua subsea cable system linking the US, Australia, and Fiji.
The Australia Connect initiative, involving Google and key partners like NEXTDC, SUBCO, Vocus, and local governments, aims to enhance digital infrastructure, boost data speeds, strengthen cybersecurity, and improve redundancy.
The collaborative effort seeks to create a connected, tech-savvy future for regions like the Sunshine Coast. The announcement of new cable routes was welcomed by Communications Minister Michelle Rowland and NEXTDC CEO Craig Scroggie, highlighting the vital role of submarine cables in Australia’s digital ecosystem.
AAP contributed to this report,
