A converter station is the grid facility that changes electricity into a form that can travel efficiently between different networks. In many interconnectors, it converts AC to DC for long-distance transmission and then back to AC at the other end. This makes it a critical part of submarine power links, especially where grids use different frequencies or need stable cross-border transfer.
From a cyber security perspective, converter stations matter because they are active operational technology sites, not passive cable landing points. They contain control systems, protection relays, industrial communications, and remote access tools that can affect power flow, voltage, and synchronization. An attacker who reaches these systems could disrupt service, force outages, or damage equipment; defenders therefore harden them with segmentation, strong identity controls, logging, and secure remote maintenance. In practice, converter stations are a focal point for both physical protection and OT security monitoring.