Source URL: https://www.theregister.com/2024/09/25/aspi_hyperscaler_cables/
Source: Hacker News
Title: Hyperscalers are carving up the ocean floor into private internet highways
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Summary: The text discusses the significant impact of US-based hyperscalers like Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Amazon on subsea cable infrastructure, raising concerns about security, competition, and geopolitical implications. Their control over this critical infrastructure is altering the internet services landscape and poses risks to global communications and market competition.
Detailed Description: The rapid increase in ownership of subsea cable networks by major US tech companies has sparked concerns among security and compliance professionals regarding the implications of their dominance. The key points from the report by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) include:
– **Hyperscaler Growth**: Over the past decade, the portion of international subsea capacity owned by major hyperscalers has grown dramatically from 10% to 71%.
– **Control of Infrastructure**: These companies are transitioning from being customers of subsea cable capacity to becoming owners, thereby affecting the entire internet services value chain, including content creation and data processing.
– **Displacement of Telecom Carriers**: The tech giants are overshadowing traditional telecom carriers, causing shifts in competition dynamics due to their financial resources and control over existing infrastructure.
– **Resilience vs. Risk**: While new routes being developed can enhance resilience and standardization, they also raise significant concerns over data security. A malfunction or cyberattack on these digital assets could disrupt global communications, suggesting a need for robust safeguards.
– **Geopolitical Concerns**: The interplay between national interests and hyperscaler investments can complicate global infrastructure development. Instances were cited, such as the competition between nations to control submarine cables, highlighting how governments might react to hyperscaler dominance.
– **Calls for Regulatory Oversight**: ASPI urges a closer government engagement with the industry to mitigate risks associated with hyperscaler control, advocating for regulatory changes to align commercial strategies with national security priorities.
– **Meeting Compliance Challenges**: The dominance of hyperscalers in critical infrastructure surfaces issues related to accountability, governance, and compliance with emerging regulations aimed at data security and consumer protection.
These insights are pivotal for professionals engaged in security, compliance, and risk management as they reveal the pressing need to navigate the challenges posed by tech monopolies within the critical infrastructure sector. Understanding the balance between leveraging these technologies and ensuring equitable and secure internet access remains a paramount concern.