As one of the key maritime security providers, NATO has a major role in critical maritime infrastructure protection. The Nord Stream pipeline attacks of 2022 brought the need of infrastructure protection at sea into the public security debate. Yet, NATO representatives had alerted to such vulnerabilities well ahead this incident.

With warnings by senior military leaders about the lack of security of underwater data cables and foreign naval activities close to infrastructure locations, the alliance was well aware about security risks since at least 2015.

Yet, the Nord Stream attacks were an important catalyst for stepping up activities in the alliance and the 2023 sabotage of the Baltic Connector pipeline reconfirmed the need for action. With critical maritime infrastructure protection now a political priority in the capitals, the alliance has developed a significant portfolio of responses.