Copper cabling is network wiring that carries data as electrical signals, rather than light like fiber. Common examples include Ethernet cables used to connect servers, switches, and other devices. In cyber security, copper links matter because they are part of the physical attack surface: if an attacker can reach the cable, patch panel, or nearby port, they may disrupt service, intercept traffic with unauthorized devices, or insert hardware for persistence.
Copper is also affected by electrical noise and signal leakage, so good installation practices help both reliability and security. Defenders reduce risk with locked rooms and racks, clear labeling, controlled access to patch panels, and regular inspection of cable paths. In real environments, copper cabling often appears in attacks through rogue taps, hidden inline devices, or simple unplugging and re-patching that causes outages. Careful physical design makes those actions easier to detect and harder to perform.