Eavesdropping attacks on data cables are an information security risk that should not be ignored. In principle, there is no such thing as a cable impervious to eavesdropping. Cables differ in quality only with regard to the effort required to tap them. Whether a cable is actually being tapped can only be determined using sophisticated instruments.

In addition, deliberate manipulation of cables (which can include their outright destruction) poses a danger to the organisation in question. Malfunctions of cables can be caused with manipulative intent. Such manipulations often aim to disrupt IT operations or damage a particular organisation.