A private security firm has been brought in to try and protect Ireland’s undersea data cables that carry 97% of the world’s internet global communications, we can reveal.
The company was hired by EirGrid amid fears of a possible Russian attack.
Defence Minister Simon Coveney confirmed Eirgrid was using a private company to provide surveillance and monitoring capability for their undersea network and cables via global positioning system (GPS) tracking.
Read More: Government 'seriously concerned' Russia will attack underwater internet cables off Irish coast
The issue was raised at an extraordinary EU energy security meeting last week called after the recent attacks on the Nord Stream I and 2 gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea.
It is understood concern was raised over Ireland’s ability to protect its underwater and offshore infrastructure including the gas pipelines connecting to the UK.
A top level meeting was subsequently held in recent days between the Dept of Defence and the Dept of Environment, Climate and Communications, which is responsible for the safety and security of the cables and pipelines.
Following queries from a number of backbench TDs, Mr Coveney revealed: ”The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications sought support from my Department in relation to additional measures that could be put in place by the Defence Forces to ensure that critical offshore infrastructure including data cables is protected.
“My officials and the Defence Forces have been engaged with the Dept of the Environment,Climate and Communications and while the Defence Forces have limited subsea capabilities particularly in this specialist area, additional patrols and targeted surveillance of offshore infrastructure including data cables are being examined.
“We have also had meetings involving Gas Network Ireland and EirGrid.
“EirGrid already has a private company providing surveillance and monitoring capability for its undersea network and cables via global positioning system, GPS tracking.
“There are some systems in place and we will increase patrolling both by the Air Corp and the Naval Service to improve that.”
Sinn Fein Defence spokesman Johnny Brady TD warned the attack on the Nord Stream pipeline showed the vulnerabilities of the strategically important cables that run through Irish water .
He said: “Some three quarters of all cables in the northern hemisphere pass through Irish waters and 97% of global communications including business operations, financial transactions and internet traffic are carried through these cables.
“They are critically important and it has been suggested that we are the achilles’ heel in the security of these critical data cables.
“Our current security is totally inadequate particularly when we are unable to put our ships to sea due to understaffing and that they are unable to see what is happening below the surface of the water.”
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