Fibre optics use thin strands of glass or plastic to guide light from one point to another. Because light can travel through a fibre with limited loss, fibres can deliver illumination into compact or hard-to-reach spaces. In a miniature resin printer, for example, fibre optics may route ultraviolet light to a small print head to cure resin.
In cybersecurity, fibre optics are part of the physical infrastructure that carries data between networks and devices. Attacks can target this infrastructure through cable damage, unauthorized access to connection points, or interception of optical signals. Defenses include securing cable routes and equipment, monitoring for service disruption, and using encryption so intercepted traffic cannot be readily read. A fibre’s ability to guide light does not itself provide security; protection depends on the surrounding network and controls.