From 10–12 March 2026, the NESA Center conducted the Indo-Pacific Oceans Workshop virtually for 81 participants from over 30 countries, most of whom hailed from navies, coast guards, and national security institutions. The workshop focused on the underwater domain with a particular interest on the protection of critical underwater infrastructure (CUI), exploring underwater domain awareness (UDA), and detailing the emerging threats from the underwater domain that impact maritime security operations. Participants discussed how subsea cables can be better protected, how the increasing amount of maritime data can be effectively translated into more precise operations, how grey zone tactics are present in the underwater domain, and how various technologies and technical tools can help counter subsea threats, among other topics.

NESA Center Director, Ambassador (Ret.) John Desrocher, and Academic Dean, Dr. Roger Kangas, opened and closed the event, while Professor Jeffrey Payne led the deliberations and monitored sessions. For more information on the NESA Center’s work in maritime and underwater domain awareness, please contact the NESA Center’s Registrar office, or reach out directly to Professor Payne.

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