{
  "id": 18454313,
  "title": "US military expands Pacific cyber hub to counter risks to undersea cable networks",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/06/us-military-expands-pacific-cyber-hub-to-counter-risks-to-undersea-18454313",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-11-06T06:00:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Reuters Business via SCMP",
    "slug": "reuters-business-via-scmp",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3373508/us-military-expands-pacific-cyber-hub-counter-risks-undersea-cable-networks"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The United States military has bolstered its cyber defense capabilities in Hawaii to safeguard its Pacific communications networks from potential threats. This expansion of cybersecurity presence is part of a broader effort to detect and counter disruptions to critical infrastructure, including undersea cables that link the Pacific to the US mainland. The new initiatives, known as Cyber Defence Forces Pacific, involve relocating personnel from Maryland to Hawaii to enhance cybersecurity defense in the region. These personnel will join the Defence Information Systems Agency's (DISA) Pacific command, which has also established a regional center for monitoring military communications networks. The center aims to identify issues such as damaged undersea cables, electromagnetic spectrum problems, and service outages that could impact operations in the Pacific. Most intercontinental internet traffic passes through undersea cables, and damage to these cables can disrupt communications or force data onto alternative routes, potentially creating vulnerabilities for hostile actors seeking to intercept information. A recent study by the China Strategic Risks Institute highlighted that most undersea cable damage worldwide results from accidents or natural events, but warned that China is developing capabilities to disrupt this critical infrastructure. US officials have accused a group called Volt Typhoon, with alleged Chinese ties, of compromising critical infrastructure networks, including on Guam. Washington has also accused Beijing of using undersea cables for surveillance and espionage. Despite these concerns, the US and Japan have agreed to enhance joint efforts to prevent malicious cyber activities, recognizing the importance of secure communications for coordinating military operations across the Pacific.",
  "summary": "The US military has expanded its cybersecurity presence in Hawaii and set up a regional centre to better detect threats and disruptions to its Pacific communications networks. The new initiatives come amid US accusations of Chinese cyber operations targeting critical infrastructure, including on Guam, and concerns about the security of undersea cables linking the Pacific to the US mainland.…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}