Experts are constantly working to improve fiber-optic technology and find ways to make fiber-optic networks even faster. There are many factors that influence data transfer speeds within a fiber-optic network. Experts have now discovered that the shape of fiber-optic cables may also affect transfer speeds. In this article, we’ll tell you all about it!
Square fiber-optic cables instead of round ones?
Optical fibers, also known as glass fibers, make the high-speed internet we’ve come to expect around the world today possible. The demand for faster and more efficient data transmission continues to grow, especially with the advent of Artificial Intelligence. That’s why scientists and researchers are constantly seeking innovations and ways to optimize fiber-optic technology and make it even faster. In a recent study, experts at the University of Iowa discovered that an alternative fiber geometry can improve data transmission speeds. This research focused on rectangular fibers instead of the traditional circular cross-section. These findings could improve not only telecommunications but also the emerging field of photonic quantum computing.
The difference between optical communication and other methods
Optical communication uses light traveling through transparent fibers to transmit information. Unlike traditional communication methods, which rely on electrical signals or radio waves, fiber-optic technology offers a number of significant advantages over traditional communication methods:
- Optical signals lose very little speed as they are transmitted over longer distances;
- Data transfer rates can sometimes reach hundreds of gigabytes per second;
- A fiber-optic network is virtually impossible to hack.
These advantages are particularly evident in multimode fibers. In multimode fibers, multiple light paths—known as modes—allow multiple signals to travel simultaneously. However, multimode fibers also present a number of challenges.
The Challenges of Multimode Fiber
What are the challenges associated with multimode fibers? One of these challenges is signal distortion. Light traveling along different paths does not always arrive at the cable’s output at the same time or in the same position. This problem is sometimes further complicated by the fact that optical signals consist of multiple wavelengths, each moving at a slightly different speed and following unique paths. As a result, the output may appear distorted—and in some cases actually is. This is a challenge that experts are currently conducting extensive research on. Strategies are needed to improve correlations between waves of different frequencies that make up the signal.
Could modifying the shape of fiber-optic cables help?
Currently, we use a circular core for most optical fibers. The reason for this is that this shape makes it easier to manufacture the fibers. In addition, this shape makes it easier to align fibers with connectors and other optical components. However, research now shows that other shapes offer many advantages. In a study published in Advanced Photonics Research, experts investigated how light propagates through submillimeter-sized fibers with circular and rectangular cross-sections. In this way, the researchers sought to determine whether a different shape could improve frequency correlations.
What is the conclusion?
They investigated how laser pulses consisting of multiple wavelengths propagate through different fiber shapes. The results showed that rectangular fibers offered several advantages, despite the fact that they are more complicated to manufacture. The findings from the study suggest that rectangular optical fibers could improve the capacity of optical communication channels by about 20% compared to optical fibers with a circular cross-section. That’s quite a lot!
Greater redundancy and a move away from monoculture
In the Netherlands, there is still a monoculture when it comes to internet networks and fiber-optic cables. This means that many networks lack backup cables or systems in the event of a failure or sabotage. We still see this frequently in the digital sector in our country. This monoculture now poses significant financial and digital risks. If undersea cables are sabotaged, essential networks could simply go down because they have no backup. This problem, of course, became very clear some time ago when airports and hospitals were shut down due to an update to Microsoft’s antivirus program.
How can you increase redundancy?
The question now, of course, is: how do we ensure greater redundancy in the Netherlands? According to political advisor Marijn van Vliet, we would do well to follow Germany’s example. There, the Center for Digital Sovereignty (ZenDiS) works to make the government less vulnerable. This initiative also promotes greater use of open-source software. Thanks to ZenDiS, the German government has an exit strategy—something we unfortunately lack in our country right now. Thanks to this initiative, public institutions can always fall back on an alternative. This makes institutions more independent and therefore better secured!
Surely that’s possible in the Netherlands too?
Yes, that should certainly be possible in the Netherlands as well. All open-source software is integrated, and then maintenance and patching are outsourced to a service provider, while hosting is handled by a cloud provider. The Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations must address this in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Affairs. But in addition to this problem, we also have the vulnerable undersea cables near the Netherlands Antilles. In this area, there are only two fiber-optic cable routes, both of which belong to the same provider. If something goes wrong here, the entire Caribbean region goes down. So, in fact, an additional cable needs to be laid here. The Ministry of Defense is currently in talks with DINL regarding the physical security of the undersea cables.
Kaspersky Security Network
The figures illustrating this come from the Kaspersky Security Network list. This list has been maintained since 2013, and this year marks the first time the Netherlands has topped the list. Between July and September 2024, over 116 million cyber incidents occurred via servers in the United States. Germany follows in third place with 13 million attacks. This gives the U.S. a 25% share of all cyberattacks worldwide, while Germany accounts for just 3%. Compare that to the Netherlands, whose servers were the target of 41% of all cyberattacks worldwide in the third quarter of this year.
Increase in cyber incidents in the Netherlands since 2022
According to the Kaspersky Security Network report, the number of cyber incidents on Dutch servers suddenly surged in early 2022. At that time, the Netherlands ranked third on the global list of server abuse. It didn’t take long for our country to rise to second place, with only the United States ahead of it in terms of the high number of cyberattacks. The Netherlands remained in second place through the second quarter of 2024, but this changed in the last quarter. Although the number of attacks in our country did drop somewhat after mid-2022, we still ranked first in Q3, even ahead of the U.S.
The Netherlands has become a popular target for cybercriminals
It seems, then, that our country has suddenly become a haven for cybercriminals. When we compare the Netherlands’ share in the third quarter to that of three years ago, the difference is 36%. In 2021, it was 5%, and this year it’s 41%. The cybersecurity expert can’t explain why this increase is so massive. In 2023, the number of cyberattacks on Dutch servers dropped by more than 100 million. But unfortunately, there seems to be another rise in the number of incidents this year, keeping us in first place.
Where does this data come from?
Kaspersky Security Network compiles this list using data it receives in response to cyberattacks. When one of the cybersecurity provider’s customers is attacked online, they record the source of that attack. A WebAntivirus component then pinpoints the location of the threat. Their analysis focuses on malware samples, which are often found in multiple countries worldwide. One explanation for the Netherlands’ top ranking is our position within transatlantic internet traffic. A large portion of this traffic passes through the Amsterdam Internet Exchange. Our robust infrastructure is highly attractive to cybercriminals, as it allows them to easily reach many companies all over the world!
Ransomware remains one of the biggest cyber threats
Ransomware has been a major threat for years, and it remains a significant risk today. The number of cases in which people fall victim to ransomware hasn’t necessarily increased, but cybercriminals have found new ways to scam people with it. Criminals combine ransomware with data exfiltration and then threaten to make sensitive information public. For companies that work with sensitive data, it is now therefore especially important to ensure their systems are properly secured. Hackers are also increasingly exploiting legitimate tools within systems to stay under the radar. This makes it increasingly difficult to detect them.
Social engineering is becoming more inventive
Social engineering also remains a common threat. Phishing is one of the most common forms of social engineering. Businesses, in particular, are increasingly affected by this, as fake emails are becoming harder and harder to distinguish from genuine ones. Today, cybercriminals use AI to make these emails look as real as possible. Through these emails, they try to gain access to company data or payments. As a business, it’s therefore wise to keep your staff vigilant about filtering out fake emails. This way, you can avoid a lot of trouble!
Malware is becoming increasingly difficult to detect
Of course, malware isn’t exactly a new phenomenon in the world of cybercrime. However, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to detect, which naturally makes it more dangerous. Advanced cybercriminals are now even offering malware-as-a-service. This allows criminals with less technical expertise to easily launch attacks on companies. Malware is also becoming increasingly sophisticated and thus better at evading detection. To achieve this, polymorphic techniques are used, which allow the malware to change its form to bypass antivirus software.
The manipulation of information using AI is one of the biggest new cyber threats
Unfortunately, AI has opened up a lot of opportunities for cybercriminals. It has become easier to manipulate and deceive people by manipulating information with the help of artificial intelligence. For example, it is possible to mimic someone’s voice using AI. If you think you’re on the phone with a family member or close friend asking for money, it could just as easily be a cybercriminal. In addition, a lot of misinformation is being spread to manipulate people’s views and ways of thinking using AI. Do you receive a suspicious call from someone you think you know? Be vigilant and don’t jump to conclusions too quickly!
DDoS attacks are a nightmare for businesses
A DDoS attack has always been something every company fears, but this risk has now become much greater than it ever was. It is the most frequently reported threat, even more so than ransomware. Here, too, it is striking that cybercriminals are increasingly offering to carry out DDoS attacks for others in exchange for payment. This significantly increases the risk of large-scale attacks. As a result, DDoS attacks are currently one of the biggest cyber threats
Data breaches and attacks on supply chains
Finally, the threat of data breaches is increasing dramatically this year. This is because attackers are taking a much more targeted approach. Attackers also often put more pressure on companies, for example by threatening to make certain data public. As a result, companies are less likely to report a cyberattack or data breach to the police. Cybercriminals are also increasingly choosing to attack companies through their supply chains. They do this, for example, by spoofing emails from a supplier, which immediately gives them access to that supplier’s entire network.
Conclusion: Be aware of the biggest cyber threats right now
Over the past year, therefore, we haven’t really seen the emergence of new forms of cybercrime. Instead, existing threats have grown more severe due to new techniques and the refinement of existing ones. As a result, attacks are harder to detect, and threats are also more difficult to identify. Given the rapid changes in the field of cybercrime, it is important for every company to stay informed about current threats and take appropriate measures. You can never be too careful when it comes to today’s biggest cyber threats!
Warning from the AP
In its “Government Sector Policy,” the Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP) highlights this risk currently faced by government agencies. This risk involves not only the danger of being overly dependent on a service provider, but also all developments taking place within the government regarding privacy. To the public, it often seems that government agencies are still struggling to comply with privacy legislation. They are occasionally reprimanded by the AP for this. One of the concerns is that when the AP discovers vulnerabilities in government agencies’ systems, it often takes too long to address them. Reasons for this include outdated IT systems, a lack of knowledge, insufficient prioritization, or even a combination of all these factors. As a result, it sometimes takes far too long for data breaches or similar issues to be resolved.
The government lacks a great deal of knowledge
The biggest problem, therefore, is actually a significant knowledge gap within government agencies. As a result, it takes too long for outdated systems to be replaced and for problems to be resolved. Knowledge of privacy law is also often insufficient, particularly among executives. When GDPR violations occur, they are often the result of a lack of knowledge. The Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP) recently expressed concerns about GDPR compliance at the Tax and Customs Administration. For this reason, the authority will be scrutinizing this agency closely in the coming period.
The Impact of Generative AI on GDPR Compliance
Unfortunately, there are still many government agencies that believe they don’t need to fully understand privacy issues. The Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP) is now deeply concerned about the impact generative AI will have on government compliance with the GDPR. Many municipalities have already indicated that they intend to experiment with this technology, but this could have significant consequences—especially since many municipalities fail to conduct proper research before proceeding with such experiments.
Compliance with the amended Telecommunications Act
So what exactly has changed in the Telecommunications Act over the past year? We’ll explain. Last year, the Telecommunications Act was amended to include a reporting and duty-of-care obligation for internet service providers and companies offering other telecommunications services. These changes give internet service providers greater responsibility for identifying cyber threats and ensuring digital resilience. Apart from the new obligations, these stricter requirements also signal preparations for the NIS2 Directive, also known as the Cybersecurity Act.
What do the duty to report and the duty of care entail?
The reporting obligation means that internet service providers are required to report any outages or other issues to the RDI as soon as possible. Security incidents must also be reported immediately, so that the RDI can be certain that the appropriate measures are being taken to protect customer data. The duty of care stipulates that an internet service provider must “take appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure the security and continuity of services.” The goal of the stricter legislation is to minimize security risks as much as possible and ensure that a provider’s services can be restored as quickly as possible following a disruption or other incident. Because incidents are reported quickly, security measures can be improved and greater insight into cyber threats is gained.
Preparing for the NIS2 Directive
In addition to the new obligations being imposed on internet service providers, the RDI will also examine preparations for the NIS2 Directive—which will become the Cybersecurity Act in the Netherlands—during its inspections. This is a technological directive established by the European Commission. The law has not yet entered into force, but it is expected to do so sometime next year. The directive sets stricter requirements regarding the security of network and information systems. During inspections, internet providers can therefore expect to be asked how they are already preparing for the Cybersecurity Act!
Working from home part-time is the new norm at many companies
A survey by the employers' association AWVN shows that many employers plan to continue allowing remote work. Nearly all employers offer their staff the option to work from home, and seven out of ten do not plan to require employees to return to the office more often. The survey was conducted among more than 350 employers who are members of the association. The association also reports that half of employees regularly work from home and come to the office an average of three days a week. 94% of employers indicate that working from home is practiced in their company.
Employers are positive about the work-from-home policy
Three out of four employers say they are satisfied with the current balance between working from home and working in the office. However, they do indicate that they would prefer to see the office workload spread out a bit more evenly. Currently, the office is always extremely busy on Tuesdays and Thursdays, while there are often very few people there on the other days. Otherwise, however, employers are very satisfied with how working from home is organized. According to the AWVN, employers are so positive about working from home because, in most cases in the Netherlands, there is good consultation regarding working from home. In addition, many employers see the benefits of working from home, according to the association. Consider, for example, a better work-life balance without negative effects on performance.
Employers provide internet allowance for remote work
The AWVN survey also shows that one in three employers—or 33%—contributes to their employees’ internet costs. This is usually done through a fixed allowance, either as a one-time payment or on a monthly basis. In addition, 37% are considering introducing this policy in the near future. A survey by KPN of more than 300 managers in the Netherlands confirms these figures.
Alternative to the internet allowance for working from home
KPN recently introduced an alternative to the employer’s contribution toward internet costs: Internet van de Zaak. This allows employers to easily determine how much they want to contribute toward their employees’ internet costs. The amount they contribute is automatically deducted from the employee’s monthly bill. Of course, both the employer and the employee must be KPN customers for this to work. Easily arranging financial reimbursement isn’t the only benefit of Internet van de Zaak. Through this subscription, employees also gain access to a comprehensive help desk that offers support beyond just internet connectivity. If something goes wrong with the connection at home, this help desk ensures employees are back online in no time!
Ukrainian victories prompt the development of drones
The Ukrainian military has recently scored a number of major victories against the Russian military. Just recently, Ukraine even invaded the Russian region of Kursk. They achieved this, in part, by disrupting Russian communication and control systems. So you can understand that Russia didn’t want this to happen again. That’s why the Russians created new drones that operate via fiber-optic cables. After all, these cannot be disrupted, so the Ukrainian army can no longer effectively use this tactic.
The drone is not affected by interference thanks to fiber-optic cables
The new drone was developed in the Russian city of Novgorod, at the Ushkuynik production center. The drone’s design ensures that it can be deployed in areas where radio communication is disrupted without compromising its functionality. This is thanks to the fiber-optic cables, which allow the drone to be controlled with precision. This technology is also used in wire-guided missiles. The first reports about this new drone were released via the military Telegram channel Siberian Army.
Fiber-optic drones are also available on the commercial market
According to Forbes, Ukraine is currently working on similar technologies. And they are not the only ones looking to adopt this idea from Russia. The German company HIGHCAT is set to demonstrate a fiber-optic drone in Ukraine later this month, and a company from Singapore is also offering a similar fiber-optic system for drones on the commercial market. The company is called Skywalker Technology and offers not only this technology but also various types of drones with military applications. So it’s a popular new technology, but of course there are also drawbacks. After all, the drone can’t fly farther than the fiber-optic cable is long. Additionally, there’s always the risk that the cable could get damaged or tangled. Finally, the pilot must stand closer to the target than usual, which naturally increases the risk somewhat.
What are the implications of this ruling in the lawsuit against Google?
There is no doubt that the U.S. judge’s ruling will have major consequences. However, this will take some time, as Google announced after the trial that it would appeal the Washington judge’s ruling. That ruling stated that “Google is a monopolist and has acted in a manner designed to maintain this position.” In the worst-case scenario (for Google, that is), Alphabet’s company will have to cease its lucrative search engine operations. This means Google will lose its immensely high advertising revenue. This would be detrimental to the company, as the advertising market accounts for over three-quarters of Alphabet’s revenue. So far, however, the judge has only ruled that Google is violating U.S. antitrust law. It is not yet known what sanctions the court will impose on the company.
What prompted the lawsuit against Google?
Google has built a monopoly in the advertising market, but that’s not the only problem. The company is also abusing that monopoly position. In 2021 alone, Google paid $26.3 billion to ensure that its search engine is the default on smartphones and browsers. This, of course, is done with the aim of maintaining its dominant market share. Apple receives the largest annual payment to pre-install Google as its search engine. This, of course, comes at the expense of other search engines and advertisers, who lack the resources to spend that much money on such agreements. After all, Google recoups the money it spends through the high fees it charges for advertising on its search engine. Newcomers who might actually have better search engines therefore don’t stand a chance.
Google doesn't like competition
The fact that Google has a large market share is not the problem. After all, this is not illegal. The problem is that the company is doing everything it can to limit its competition, and that is not allowed. Even with its large budget and extensive legal resources, Google was unable to justify these abuses in court. For instance, the company’s lawyers tried to convince the jury that they are not a search engine, but simply answer people’s questions. The judge clearly saw it differently. The judge’s ruling in this case will significantly alter Google’s position in the advertising market, but hopefully it will also encourage authorities to take more action against Big Tech companies for illegal behavior.
What do you think—is this a step in the right direction?
1. Electronic health records and data analysis
Electronic health records have been in use in the healthcare sector for quite some time now, but they are becoming increasingly efficient and sophisticated. A health record contains detailed information about a person’s medical history, such as laboratory results, past prescriptions, vaccinations, and so on. Thanks to fiber optics, this information can be transmitted quickly and securely between various medical facilities and healthcare providers within the healthcare sector. After all, this is highly sensitive information, so the connection must be as secure as possible. Finally, fiber optics enables the generation of valuable insights through data analysis and the use of AI.
2. Fiber optics in healthcare make telemedicine possible
The use of fiber optics in healthcare is making it increasingly feasible to offer telemedicine and remote consultations. Doctors can use secure and high-speed fiber-optic networks to provide remote consultations to patients. Today, diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring can all be done remotely, which is, of course, ideal for people who have difficulty getting to the hospital, such as the elderly. Thanks to the advanced encryption technology and security protocols in a fiber-optic network, patients’ sensitive data is secure. Currently, efforts are even underway to enable doctors to perform surgeries remotely using robotics!
3. Make faster and more accurate diagnoses
The modern technologies that doctors use to make a diagnosis generate a large volume of data. This data must be transferred quickly and securely so that test results are available sooner and doctors can make more accurate diagnoses. Thanks to the high speeds offered by fiber optics, specialists can exchange data and results more quickly, leading to earlier diagnoses and more efficient and effective treatments. The sooner a condition is addressed, the better it can often be treated. Fiber optics in healthcare therefore also offers better prospects for patients.
Conclusion
Fiber optics are therefore crucial to the healthcare sector. They enable doctors and specialists to communicate more quickly, facilitate faster diagnoses, ensure that sensitive data remains confidential, and allow doctors to provide remote treatments and consultations. Technological advancements in healthcare are currently progressing at a rapid pace, so we expect fiber optics to become even more important in this field!