# EU Action Plan on Cable Security Canonical URL: https://digital-acquis.eu/initiative/eu-action-plan-on-cable-security Entry type: initiative Source edition current through: 17 July 2026 (2026-07-17). This is not a page modification date. Status: delivered. A delivered initiative is not necessarily legislation in force. Instrument: Communication Date as recorded: 21 Feb 2025 Date kind: date Status note: full date links only to published artifact types ## Summary EU Action Plan on Cable Security aims to prevent, detect and respond to risks affecting submarine cables. By Q4 2025, the Commission, Member States and ENISA are to complete cable mapping, a coordinated risk assessment, a Cable Security Toolbox and a priority list of Cable Projects of European Interest. Further measures address investment, integrated surveillance, regional hubs, sensors, surveillance drones, incident reporting, repair vessels and spare parts, alongside crisis response, NATO cooperation, diplomacy, sanctions and attribution. ## Sources - [Official source]() ## Action items (30; complete published list) ### 1. Action item 210001 Key actions on prevention Provenance: source document doc-022, paragraph 1. Digital dimension: no. ### 2. Action item 210002 The Commission, together with Member States and ENISA, through the Expert Group created to deliver on the Recommendation on Secure and Resilient Submarine Cable Infrastructures, will complete by Q4 2025: Provenance: source document doc-022, paragraph 2. Digital dimension: no. ### 3. Action item 210004 ▪ a Mapping of existing and planned submarine cable infrastructures; Provenance: source document doc-022, paragraph 4. Digital dimension: no. ### 4. Action item 210005 ▪ a Coordinated Risk Assessment (risks, vulnerabilities and dependencies) on submarine cables, taking into account spare part security of supply, and stress testing methodology; Provenance: source document doc-022, paragraph 5. Digital dimension: no. ### 5. Action item 210006 ▪ a Cable Security Toolbox of mitigating measures; Provenance: source document doc-022, paragraph 6. Digital dimension: no. ### 6. Action item 210007 ▪ a priority list of Cable Projects of European Interest (CPEIs). Provenance: source document doc-022, paragraph 7. Digital dimension: no. ### 7. Action item 210008 The Commission will, by end of 2025, propose a Delegated Act to amend the Annex part V of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Regulation to prioritise the CPEIs as CEF Projects of Common Interest. This would be a first step towards an EU Investment Framework for submarine Cable projects. Provenance: source document doc-022, paragraph 8. Digital dimension: no. ### 8. Action item 210010 The Commission will: Provenance: source document doc-022, paragraph 10. Digital dimension: no. ### 9. Action item 210011 ▪ review the security of energy supply framework with special attention to critical energy infrastructure. Provenance: source document doc-022, paragraph 11. Digital dimension: no. ### 10. Action item 210012 ▪ facilitate investments and enhance the security of critical electricity cables through the European Grids Package Provenance: source document doc-022, paragraph 12. Digital dimension: no. ### 11. Action item 210014 support the development and deployment on a voluntary basis, of an Integrated Surveillance Mechanism for Submarine cables per sea basin designed to link and fuse data from relevant sources and set-up accurate & real time sea basin situational picture. Provenance: source document doc-022, paragraph 14. Digital dimension: no. ### 12. Action item 210015 work towards the rapid establishment of a dedicated regional hub in the Baltic Sea region as a test bed of the integrated surveillance approach. Provenance: source document doc-022, paragraph 15. Digital dimension: no. ### 13. Action item 210016 explore the concept of a network of undersea sensors to be deployed to secure submarine cables. Provenance: source document doc-022, paragraph 16. Digital dimension: no. ### 14. Action item 210017 launch a dedicated surveillance drones programme (air, surface and underwater) to boost the development and deployment of such capacities. Provenance: source document doc-022, paragraph 17. Digital dimension: no. ### 15. Action item 210018 prepare a report to promote the use of new technological solutions for detection of cable incidents. Provenance: source document doc-022, paragraph 18. Digital dimension: no. ### 16. Action item 210019 support the development of public private partnership with cable operators in view of promoting increased voluntary reporting of cable incidents. Provenance: source document doc-022, paragraph 19. Digital dimension: no. ### 17. Action item 210021 The Commission, together with Member States will: Provenance: source document doc-022, paragraph 21. Digital dimension: no. ### 18. Action item 210022 enhance the effectiveness of EU’s crisis response in all its dimensions by increasing synergies with existing frameworks and assessing with Member States the need for a more tailormade approach. Provenance: source document doc-022, paragraph 22. Digital dimension: no. ### 19. Action item 210023 pooling budget from Union funding programmes, including the possibility for voluntary transfers by Member States from cohesion funds into CEF, to finance an increase in EU cable vessels capacities, as well as modular repair equipment. Provenance: source document doc-022, paragraph 23. Digital dimension: no. ### 20. Action item 210024 propose in the medium term – depending on the needs – to build an EU Cable multipurpose Vessels Reserve ready to use, possibly through an Implementing Act under the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (including rescEU). This could be complemented by regional framework agreements to secure the immediate availability of appropriate vessels with specialised crews. Provenance: source document doc-022, paragraph 24. Digital dimension: no. ### 21. Action item 210025 design a joint approach to ensure the security of supply of cable spare parts through e.g. targeted stockpiles. Provenance: source document doc-022, paragraph 25. Digital dimension: no. ### 22. Action item 210027 The Commission and the High Representative will: Provenance: source document doc-022, paragraph 27. Digital dimension: no. ### 23. Action item 210028 enhance operational cooperation with NATO on the resilience and protection of cable and other critical submarine infrastructures. Provenance: source document doc-022, paragraph 28. Digital dimension: no. ### 24. Action item 210030 The Commission and the High Representative, together with Member States will: Provenance: source document doc-022, paragraph 30. Digital dimension: no. ### 25. Action item 210031 deploy a proactive cable diplomacy to reach out to strategic partners, including in multilateral fora, with a view to cooperate on issues related to cable security. Provenance: source document doc-022, paragraph 31. Digital dimension: no. ### 26. Action item 210032 enhance the capacities of the EU to react and limit the impact of the shadow fleet. Provenance: source document doc-022, paragraph 32. Digital dimension: no. ### 27. Action item 210033 enhance the capacity to hold malicious actors accountable, notably by making best use of the existing sanctions regimes and coordinated attribution. Provenance: source document doc-022, paragraph 33. Digital dimension: no. ### 28. Action item 210034 step-up the strategic communication approach on cable security to combat the hybrid campaign abusing plausible deniability. Provenance: source document doc-022, paragraph 34. Digital dimension: no. ### 29. Action item 210035 launch a reflection at international level on how to make full use of the International Law of the Sea Framework to enhance the security of submarine cables Provenance: source document doc-022, paragraph 35. Digital dimension: no. ### 30. Action item 210036 reinforce dialogue and cooperation with NATO on cable security. Provenance: source document doc-022, paragraph 36. Digital dimension: no. ## Referenced entries - [European Grids Package]() — status: delivered. The European Grid Package will fast-track expansion and modernisation of transmission and distribution networks, deepening market integration and lowering bills. It streamlines TEN-E, accelerates permitting — including environmental assessments — and mandates integrated, cross-border planning with effective cost-sharing, focusing on interconnectors and distribution grids. It prioritises digitalisation, flexibility and efficient use of existing assets, while increasing visibility of manufacturing supply needs. An EIB “grids manufacturing package” (≈€1.5 bn) will underpin EU component capacity, and an “Energy Highways” effort will tackle critical bottlenecks. Together, the measures unlock renewables and storage, strengthen security of supply, and support electrification at least cost. Source document doc-022, action item 210012: > ▪ facilitate investments and enhance the security of critical electricity cables through the European Grids Package ## Citing documents - [The Pact for the Mediterranean]() — status: delivered. Source document doc-054, action item 460056: > Mediterranean Submarine Cable Security Dialogue — Dedicated dialogue with southern Mediterranean partners on the security of submarine cables, in line with the EU Action Plan on Cable Security. ## Current developments Latest updates from Digital Policy Alert and Global Trade Alert. No reviewed developments available; this does not establish that no developments exist. ## Associated policy priorities - [External Strategy, Security & Democratic Resilience]() ## Broader policy context (shared priority; not a direct citation) - [Action Plan on Drone and Counter Drone Security]() — status: delivered. Action Plan on Drone and Counter-Drone Security prioritises a Drone Security Package, coordinated risk assessment and industrial coordination to address drone threats. Proposed actions include registration and direct remote identification for drones above 100g, D-TECT Forum launch in Q2 2026, a Drone Security Toolbox and an EU Trusted Drone Label. The plan also covers resilience testing for critical infrastructure, training, cellular detection, voluntary deployment and procurement, annual exercises, a centre of excellence and cooperation with Ukraine. - [Action Plan on the Cybersecurity of Hospitals and Healthcare Providers]() — status: delivered. Healthcare cybersecurity action is centred on a European Cybersecurity Support Centre, sector-specific guidance, maturity assessment and incident-response support. Planned measures include a rapid-response service in the EU Cybersecurity Reserve, a Health Cybersecurity Advisory Board, a network of health CISOs, cyber exercises and a ransomware recovery subscription service. The plan also covers cyber hygiene, threat intelligence, procurement guidance, training, regulatory mapping and international cooperation. - [Digitalisation of Return Case Management]() — status: forthcoming. The Commission will table a dedicated initiative to digitalise Member States’ return case management, as part of a new common approach on returns. COM(2025) 101 sets a common return system and, in Art. 42(1)(d), makes national digital systems for return/readmission/reintegration a core component; a separate act will specify interoperability, once-only data flows and statistics. The Commission’s Political Guidelines commit to digitalising case management; von der Leyen’s 17 March letter signalled presentation by end-2025. A 2026 consultation under the Work Programme will prepare governance and implementation, aligning with SIS/Eurodac and digital-by-default delivery while ensuring uniform practice across the Union. - [DigitalJustice@2030]() — status: delivered. The Commission's justice digitalisation programme will expand shared tools, data availability and cross-border digital cooperation. It plans a repository of digital justice tools, an IT toolbox, exchanges among Member States and guidance on high-risk AI. Other actions cover legal and judicial-data reuse, common videoconferencing requirements, remote participation in criminal hearings, support for national digitalisation and further development of the European Electronic Access Point. - [European Centre for Democratic Resilience]() — status: not recorded. The Centre will be the operational backbone of the European Democracy Shield, uniting national capabilities to detect, analyse and attribute foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI). It will pool open-source intelligence, media forensics and platform signals, provide rapid alerts and incident-response templates, and coordinate joint attribution with partners. The Centre will convene Member States and neighbouring countries, standardise methodologies, and channel support to independent media and media-literacy initiatives. By closing gaps between monitoring, policy action and sanctions, it will strengthen deterrence, help protect elections and debate, and build a European capacity against hybrid threats. - [European Democracy Shield]() — status: delivered. It will harden democratic resilience by combining early detection of foreign information manipulation, coordinated analysis and rapid response across the Union. A new European Centre for Democratic Resilience will pool national expertise and capacities as the hub for monitoring, attribution and joint action with partners. The Shield will leverage the EU’s FIMI toolbox and the Digital Services Act, expand media- and digital-literacy efforts, and strengthen crisis communication to counter disinformation systematically. It complements a forthcoming Media Resilience Programme supporting independent journalism, and is anchored in upgrades to EU internal-security governance. Work will also address harmful social-media design and youth well-being through expert advice on safeguards and enforcement. - [European Preparedness Union Strategy]() — status: delivered. The Preparedness Union Strategy would improve EU anticipation, coordination and response across crises through an EU risk and threat assessment, crisis dashboard and an upgraded Emergency Response Coordination Centre. It also proposes stockpiling, minimum preparedness requirements, revised civil-protection arrangements, early-warning guidance and preparedness training. The strategy includes measures for public-private continuity planning, population self-sufficiency during extreme disruptions, EU-wide exercises, civil-military coordination and cooperation with partner countries. - [European Space Shield]() — status: forthcoming. The European Space Shield is a proposed flagship within the Readiness Roadmap for defence readiness. It would establish and protect a European system of space capabilities for defence purposes, building on EU space systems and national capacities. The roadmap envisages endorsement of the shield as a priority flagship, coordinated prioritisation through space and defence programmes, coordination with Member States' procurement plans, and the shield's launch. - [Europol & Eurojust Revision]() — status: in progress. Europol & Eurojust Revision seeks to modernise Eurojust's legal framework and strengthen cross-border criminal-justice cooperation. The proposal addresses structural and operational constraints identified by the 2025 evaluation, improving governance and operational performance, cooperation with EU partners and third countries, and analytical and proactive capacity. It would expand Eurojust's mandate to cybercrime, gender-based violence and violations of EU restrictive measures, while reinforcing coordination with Europol and supporting work on serious and organised cross-border crime. - [Frontex Revision & EU Visa Support Office]() — status: forthcoming. Frontex is slated for a stronger mandate and reinforced standing corps, allowing the European Border and Coast Guard Agency to expand its presence and operational support. The Commission also assigns Frontex a stronger role in supporting Member States with returns and places a visa strategy among measures aimed at attracting international talent and reducing administrative barriers. - [Harmonised EU Framework for Data Retention]() — status: forthcoming. The Commission is preparing an impact assessment on data retention by service providers for criminal proceedings. The work responds to divergent national rules and the absence of an EU-wide framework, which authorities identify as an obstacle to investigations and cross-border cooperation. Consultations will examine the obstacles, possible non-regulatory and regulatory responses, and impacts on citizens' security, electronic-communications services and the protection of fundamental rights. - [International Digital Strategy]() — status: delivered. International Digital Strategy would extend EU digital cooperation through partnerships, dialogues, trade agreements and infrastructure with trusted partners. The programme covers secure connectivity, Digital Public Infrastructure, AI, software, submarine cables, satellite connectivity, quantum research, semiconductors, high-performance computing, cybersecurity and digital identity. Measures include the Digital Partnership Network, additional bilateral and regional partnerships, EU Tech Business Offer, support for Arctic, MEDUSA and Blue-Raman cables, and integration work on the EU Digital Identity Wallet with Ukraine, Moldova and the Western Balkans. - [New Strategic EU-India Agenda]() — status: delivered. Europe have tabled a Strategic EU–India Agenda that elevates the partnership across five pillars: prosperity, technology, security, connectivity and enablers. It prioritises concluding an FTA and an Investment Protection Agreement, alongside Global Gateway investments and supply-chain de-risking via the EU–India TTC (chips, solar, APIs). It deepens digital cooperation (e.g. trusted data flows, secure 5G/6G and interoperable digital public infrastructures) and expands joint R&I in AI, HPC/quantum and space. A Security and Defence Partnership with a Security of Information Agreement will underpin maritime, cyber and hybrid resilience. Delivery will be steered by an annual summit, upgraded TTC, and an EU–India Business Forum. - [ProtectEU: A European Internal Security Strategy]() — status: delivered. ProtectEU sets out EU internal-security action based on regular threat assessments and stronger operational capacity. It covers terrorism, organised crime, cyber-related and hybrid threats, with proposed changes involving Europol, Eurojust and Frontex. The strategy also calls for a European Critical Communication System, better protection of critical infrastructure and transport hubs, stronger cybersecurity, updated organised-crime and firearms rules, and closer operational cooperation with partner regions. - [Roadmap on Lawful and Effective Access to Data]() — status: delivered. The Roadmap for lawful and effective access to data for law enforcement sets out the conditions that should govern access to digital evidence. It says access must be necessary, proportionate, founded on clear, precise and accessible legal rules, subject to independent oversight and accompanied by effective remedies. The roadmap identifies deleted data, jurisdictional conflicts, difficult device forensics, encryption and limited analytical capacity as obstacles to obtaining criminal evidence. - [Strengthening EU Economy Security]() — status: delivered. Strengthening EU Economy Security centres on faster risk assessment, shared intelligence and action to reduce dependencies in critical supply chains, technologies and infrastructure. The Commission proposes an Economic Security Information Hub, stronger coordination with Member States, an adviser group involving businesses, trade-resilience information and an expanded Observatory on Critical Technologies. It will also consider funding safeguards, foreign-investment screening guidance, dual-use export-control evaluation, trade-defence tools, customs measures, procurement preferences and restrictions on high-risk suppliers. - [Team Europe]() — status: delivered. Aligns the EU, Member States, the EIB/EBRD, agencies and the private sector to act as one, pooling finance, expertise and diplomacy for maximum impact. Born during COVID-19, it is now the default delivery model for international partnerships and Global Gateway. It coordinates over 160 Team Europe Initiatives and mobilised €179 billion in 2021–2023, underpinned by instruments such as the €40 billion EFSD+ guarantee and regular Global Gateway business fora, with governance via a Board, Business Advisory Group, and a Civil Society & Local Authorities platform. By joining up investments, reforms and standards, Team Europe scales high-standard projects worldwide and strengthens EU strategic influence. - [White Paper for European Defence]() — status: delivered. The White Paper invites Member States to increase collaborative defence procurement and proposes fast consideration of SAFE and the European Defence Industry Programme. It calls for military support to Ukraine and greater integration of Ukraine's defence industry, mobility corridors and access to EU space-based governmental services. Further measures include a defence-industry dialogue, a Defence Omnibus Simplification proposal, an armament technology roadmap and military-mobility action. --- [Reading guide and interpretation notes]() · [Methodology]()