Disclosed is an armored electrical or optical cable that includes at least one flexible elongated conducting member for conducting electrical or optical signals and an armor layer surrounding the conducting member, the armor layer including a 5xxx aluminum alloy having greater than 3 wt. % Mg. Such aluminum alloys include, e.g., 5182. Other alternative alloys are disclosed. In one embodiment, the aluminum alloy material is a 5xxx alloy material having an elongation that is 8% or greater, a tensile yield strength that is 207 MPa (30 ksi) or greater, and an ultimate tensile strength that is 276 MPa (40 ksi) or greater. The disclosed armor layer provides substantial weight reduction and cost benefits over steel cable armor, is more environmentally friendly than steel, and has physical properties that are comparable to or better than that of steel.