The U.S. broadband industry launched an emergency coalition to combat what it calls an unprecedented wave of criminal attacks on critical infrastructure.

The Strategic Threat Response & Infrastructure Knowledge Exchange (STRIKE) looks to respond to escalating vandalism and theft targeting fiber networks and cable infrastructure.

Co-led by CableLabs subsidiary SCTE and the Internet & Television Association (NCTA), the initiative was unveiled with vandalism incidents now averaging more than 800 per month and affecting more than 1.5 million customers.

According to industry data, some 5,770 criminal acts were reported between June and December 2024 alone, averaging 824 incidents monthly, with attacks disrupting services to U.S. military installations, 911 emergency systems, and government facilities.

It’s not simply copper theft, either, with the organization behind STRIKE warning of deliberate assaults on health care networks, law enforcement communications, and educational institutions.

“A threat to broadband infrastructure is a threat to our national security," SCTE President and CEO Maria Popo noted in a statement. "STRIKE ensures that executive-level visibility is directly connected to frontline realities.”

STRIKE's executive forum includes senior leaders from major operators, including Comcast, Charter Communications, Altice USA, Cox, GCI, Mediacom, and Rogers. Comcast's Elad Nafshi serves as chair, while Charter's Tom Monaghan will take on the vice chair role.

The coalition aims to position infrastructure attacks as a top-tier national security threat while facilitating intelligence sharing between operators and government agencies. It will integrate policy advocacy with technical standards and operational protocols into what organizers call a “cohesive national defense strategy.”

The STRIKE initiative will look to build upon prior infrastructure protection campaigns, like the "Don't Cut Cable" public awareness effort that enlisted communities in safeguarding networks. The coalition's inaugural strategy session will be held at TechExpo25, SCTE's flagship industry event, where participants will establish strategic priorities and immediate response protocols.

Legislative push for stronger penalties

Beyond the initiative, NCTA is simultaneously advocating for federal legislation to address the threat.

The proposed Stopping the Theft and Destruction of Broadband Act would amend federal law to ensure attacks on private networks face the same penalties as those targeting government systems. The bill has been sent to the House Judiciary Committee for review.

In addition to legislative efforts, the trade group wants agencies like the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and FBI to increase intelligence sharing and label attacks on network infrastructure as domestic terrorism, “when the facts warrant.”

“This isn’t simply an industry issue, it’s a nationwide emergency,” NCTA CTO Rikin Thakker added. “STRIKE will mobilize our collective strength, aligning policy advocacy with strategic operations to strengthen our efforts to protect America’s critical communications infrastructure.”