On Underwater Data Centers: Surveillance, Monitoring, and Environmental Management in the Baltic Sea

Abstract

This article analyzes underwater surveillance and monitoring technologies aimed at enhancing security and environmental management, using a hypothetical underwater data center in the Baltic Sea as a case study. It explores cutting-edge solutions such as remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), and smart buoys, focusing on their integration for monitoring underwater infrastructure and safeguarding against infrastructural threats. With rising concerns over maritime security due to recent events like the Nord Stream outage, this research highlights the need for advanced technological systems to address such a kind of vulnerabilities. The analysis also considers multi-layered potential of these systems for security, safety, and environmental resilience. Consequently, this study provides insights into the feasibility, challenges, and future directions for deploying underwater data centers as a sustainable alternative to traditional land-based facilities of this type, contributing to the broader discourse on securing critical underwater infrastructure and promoting eco-friendly data storage solutions​.