What geopolitical factors are increasing the risk to Red Sea submarine cables?

Microsoft Cloud Services hit by Delays Due to Red Sea Submarine Cable Outage

Impact on Azure, Microsoft 365, and Dynamics 365

Reports surfaced on September 7th, 2025, indicating notable disruptions to Microsoft cloud services – including Azure, microsoft 365, and Dynamics 365 – stemming from a major outage affecting submarine cables in the Red Sea. This incident is causing latency issues and, in some cases, outright service delays for users across Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa. The core problem lies with damage to critical fiber optic infrastructure,impacting data transmission speeds and reliability.

This isn’t a localized issue; the Red Sea is a crucial conduit for internet traffic, carrying an estimated 95% of data between europe and Asia. Damage to these submarine cables creates a bottleneck, forcing data to reroute, adding milliseconds – and sometimes seconds – to connection times. For businesses relying on real-time data processing and cloud-based applications, this can translate into substantial operational challenges.

Understanding the Red Sea Cable Damage

the precise cause of the damage remains under examination, but initial reports point to potential disruptions caused by ongoing geopolitical instability in the region. While accidental damage from ship anchors is a common cause of cable outages, the current situation is being closely monitored for potential malicious activity.

Here’s a breakdown of the key factors:

critical Infrastructure: The Red Sea hosts multiple vital submarine cables, including SEA-ME-WE 3, SEA-ME-WE 4, and AAE-1.

Geopolitical Risks: The ongoing conflict in Yemen and broader regional tensions increase the risk of intentional or unintentional damage.

Repair Complexity: Repairing undersea cables is a complex and time-consuming process, often requiring specialized vessels and skilled technicians. Estimated repair times currently range from several weeks to potentially months.

Increased Scrutiny: Following similar incidents in recent months, security around critical internet infrastructure is under heightened scrutiny globally.

Specific Service Impacts & Reported Issues

Users are reporting a range of issues across Microsoft’s cloud offerings. These include:

Azure: Delays in virtual machine provisioning, slower data transfer speeds for Azure Storage, and increased latency for Azure SQL Database instances.

Microsoft 365: Sporadic issues with Teams calls, delays in email delivery via Exchange Online, and slower performance with SharePoint Online and OneDrive.

Dynamics 365: Increased loading times for Dynamics 365 Sales, Dynamics 365 customer service, and other applications. Reports of intermittent connectivity issues are also surfacing.

Power BI: Users are experiencing slower report refresh times and potential disruptions to Power BI service availability.

Microsoft has acknowledged the issue and is actively working with cable operators to restore service. They are also implementing mitigation strategies, such as rerouting traffic through alternative pathways. However, these workarounds are not without limitations and can contribute to continued performance degradation.

Mitigation Strategies & Workarounds for Businesses

While the situation is largely outside of individual user control, businesses can take steps to minimize the impact of the Red Sea cable outage:

1. Prioritize Non-Critical Tasks: Defer non-essential tasks that rely heavily on cloud connectivity.
2. Optimize Data Transfer: Reduce the amount of data being transferred by compressing files and optimizing data queries.
3. Leverage Caching: Implement caching mechanisms to store frequently accessed data locally.
4. Regional Redundancy (for Azure Users): If feasible, consider deploying applications and data across multiple Azure regions to improve resilience. This is a long-term strategy but crucial for business continuity.
5. Monitor Service Health: Regularly check the Microsoft 365 Service health dashboard and the Azure status page for updates.
6. Dialogue is Key: Keep employees and customers informed about potential disruptions and expected resolution times.

Ancient Context: Previous Submarine Cable Incidents

This isn’t the first time submarine cable infrastructure has been disrupted. Several incidents in recent years highlight the vulnerability of global internet connectivity:

2020: A cable cut in the Mediterranean Sea caused widespread internet outages in Egypt and other countries.

2021: Damage to a cable in the black Sea impacted internet access in several Eastern European nations.

2023: Multiple cable cuts in the Red Sea, attributed to Houthi attacks, caused significant disruptions.

Increased Cable Capacity: New cables with higher bandwidth capabilities are being deployed to meet growing demand.

Diversification of Routes: Laying cables along different routes to reduce reliance on single points of failure.

Enhanced Cable Protection: Implementing measures to protect cables from accidental damage and malicious attacks.

* Advanced Monitoring Systems: Utilizing complex monitoring technologies to detect and respond to cable faults more

Jaguar Land Rover Production Grounded by Cyberattack: A Growing Threat to Global Manufacturers

London, UK – Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has suspended production across all its UK facilities following a significant cyberattack, sending ripples through the automotive industry and highlighting the escalating vulnerability of major manufacturers to digital threats. The disruption, confirmed earlier today, impacts all JLR models and has forced thousands of employees to stay home, marking a substantial blow to the company’s operations.

Hacker Group “Hellcat” Claims Responsibility

A hacker identifying as “Rey” has taken responsibility for the attack, posting a screenshot of what they claim is internal JLR data on a Telegram channel boasting over 50,000 subscribers. This brazen act underscores a worrying trend: cybercriminals increasingly leveraging social media platforms to showcase their exploits and amplify their impact. Cyber security experts have linked “Rey” to the “Hellcat” hacking group, which previously targeted JLR in March. Hellcat’s methods bear striking similarities to those employed by the “Scattered Spider” cell, notorious for attacks on prominent retail chains like Marks & Spencer.

The Rise of “Hacktivism” and Ransomware

While JLR has refrained from commenting on the specifics of the attack, stating they are investigating the allegations, the incident is a stark reminder of the evolving landscape of cybercrime. This isn’t simply about stealing data anymore; it’s about disruption, reputation damage, and increasingly, financial extortion. Groups like Hellcat and Scattered Spider are often motivated by a combination of financial gain and a desire for notoriety. They represent a new breed of hacker – younger, more loosely organized, and highly adept at exploiting vulnerabilities in corporate networks.

The automotive industry, in particular, is becoming a prime target. Modern vehicles are essentially computers on wheels, packed with sensitive data and connected to the internet. This connectivity, while offering convenience and innovation, also creates numerous potential entry points for hackers. Beyond the immediate disruption to production, a successful attack could compromise vehicle safety features or expose customer data.

Beyond JLR: A Wave of Attacks Targeting Major Brands

JLR is far from alone. In recent months, a string of high-profile organizations have fallen victim to similar attacks. Co-OP, Harrods, and even Qantas have all been targeted, demonstrating the widespread nature of this threat. These groups are becoming increasingly bold, often succeeding in their attempts to extract ransom or simply cause chaos. The speed and sophistication of these attacks are outpacing the ability of many organizations to defend themselves.

Protecting Your Business: Proactive Cybersecurity Measures

So, what can businesses do to protect themselves? Experts recommend a multi-layered approach to cybersecurity, including:

• Regular Security Audits: Identify and address vulnerabilities in your systems.
• Employee Training: Educate employees about phishing scams and other social engineering tactics.
• Strong Password Policies: Enforce the use of strong, unique passwords.
• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Add an extra layer of security to your accounts.
• Incident Response Plan: Develop a plan for responding to a cyberattack.
• Staying Updated: Regularly update software and security patches.

The JLR attack serves as a critical wake-up call. In today’s interconnected world, cybersecurity is no longer an IT issue; it’s a business imperative. The cost of inaction is simply too high. As these hacker groups continue to evolve and refine their tactics, proactive defense and a commitment to ongoing security vigilance are essential for safeguarding your organization’s assets and reputation.

This is a developing story. Archyde.com will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. For more in-depth analysis of cybersecurity threats and best practices, explore our dedicated Cybersecurity section and stay informed about the latest breaking news.