Have you ever imagined what life would be like if everyone’s electronic devices suddenly stopped working? If entire continents lost all electricity, running water, and communication systems? Picture a blackout, but worse—battery-powered electronics, devices, and generators would instantly die. The aftermath would be catastrophic, potentially transforming first-world countries into third-world countries.
If you think this scenario could only happen in a sci-fi movie, you’re wrong. Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) attacks have the potential to turn this nightmare into reality.
What is an Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Attack?
An Electromagnetic Pulse, or EMP, is a massive burst of electromagnetic energy that can occur naturally or be deliberately induced. The electromagnetic waves released in an EMP act like a giant moving magnet, causing a changing magnetic field that moves electrons in nearby wires, inducing a current. However, with such a huge burst of energy, an EMP can cause damaging power surges in any electronics within range.
Types of EMP Attacks, How EMP Attacks Work, and Their Effects
There are three main types of EMP attacks: Natural, Nuclear, and Non-Nuclear. While natural EMPs come from the sun, the others are man-made. Both, however, result in the mass temporary and/or permanent disabling of electricity and electronics.
Natural EMPs
A natural EMP attack, commonly referred to as a geomagnetic storm, occurs when the sun ejects a massive stream of plasma. Most of the time, Earth’s magnetic field deflects these ejections. However, if enough plasma is emitted at once, the impact can cause the magnetic field to wobble and create an extremely powerful EMP attack.
The last significant event was the Carrington Event in 1859, the most intense geomagnetic storm in recorded history. It knocked out the majority of the new telegraph network. Experts suggest that if a similar storm occurred today, it could cause billions or even trillions of dollars in damage to satellites, radio communications, and power grids, resulting in massive electrical blackouts that could take weeks or even years to repair.
We narrowly avoided such a storm in 2012 when a geomagnetic storm missed Earth by a week and instead hit a STEREO-A spacecraft. NASA predicted that if this storm had hit Earth, it would have caused over two years of recovery efforts, with a total economic impact exceeding $2 trillion—20 times greater than the cost of Hurricane Katrina.
Nuclear EMPs
Nuclear EMPs are generally created through nuclear explosions and are considered impressive weapons of war. They occur when a nuclear weapon is detonated high in the atmosphere. Gamma radiation from the nuclear explosion strips electrons from air molecules and accelerates them at close to the speed of light. These charge-carrying electrons, corralled by Earth’s magnetic field, generate a fluctuating, powerful electric current, resulting in a massive EMP.
Nuclear EMPs were first noticed in the 1950s during nuclear tests. During the Cold War, the U.S. conducted ‘Operation Fishbowl’—a series of high-altitude nuclear tests to investigate EMPs as weapons of mass destruction. In 1962, the ‘Starfish Prime’ test detonated a 1.4 megaton bomb over the Pacific Ocean, causing immediate damage to electrical equipment over 800 miles away, including in Hawaii.
Nuclear EMP attacks are part of the military doctrines of China, North Korea, Iran, and Russia. While such an attack has yet to occur, its potential consequences in today’s technologically dependent world would be devastating, with entire continents possibly losing electricity, water, power, and communication.
Non-Nuclear EMPs
Non-Nuclear EMPs (NNEMPs) are less powerful than nuclear EMPs, with impact ranges from hundreds of meters to several kilometers. They are more targeted and are considered highly effective, non-lethal military weapons. NNEMPs can disable enemy electronics without harming humans, making them favorable in modern warfare where civilian casualties are generally avoided.
Delivered via NNEMP missiles and bombs mounted on drones or aircraft, NNEMPs can disable communication networks, jam tanks, knock out naval ships, silence radar networks, and trigger power outages. For example, in 2003, the U.S. used an e-bomb to knock out Iraqi TV, shutting down Saddam Hussein’s propaganda network.
What Types of Electronics Can Survive an EMP Event?
An EMP generally attacks solid-state electronics rather than vacuum tubes. Most modern electronics and technologies are solid-state and would be disabled during an EMP, including mobile devices like cell phones, tablets, and laptops. This loss of data can be particularly troubling for high-profile individuals or organizations handling confidential information.
Electric grids, which support critical infrastructure like food, water, fuel, communications, and emergency services, would also be vulnerable. Even backup devices like generators and battery-powered electronics would be rendered useless.
However, simple electronics that use vacuum tubes, such as solar panels, non-electric appliances, manual appliances, vintage electronics, some small portable electronics, and alternative fuel vehicles, have a better chance of survival.
Government Initiatives to Prepare for an EMP Attack
In 2015, the U.S. Congress held a joint hearing to discuss preparedness against EMP threats. Congress created two EMP commissions, reporting their findings in 2004 and 2008. Based on these recommendations, a bill has been introduced in every Congress since 2009 to strengthen the protection of the electrical grid, though none have been passed into law.
The Department of Defense (DoD) moved the North American Aerospace Defense Command inside Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado because the mountain is EMP-hardened. State governments have also taken steps to protect portions of their electrical grid.
In 2019, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Status Report, part of efforts to support Executive Order (E.O.) 13865 on Coordinating National Resilience to Electromagnetic Pulses. This order prioritizes resilience and security standards for U.S. critical infrastructure.
Since E.O. 13865, DHS, through the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA), the Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), has taken action to address EMP vulnerabilities. This includes data analysis, risk assessments, industry engagement, and pilot programs to protect critical infrastructures.
Tips to Lower Your Risk of an EMP Attack
Electronics have become an integral part of our daily lives, making us vulnerable to EMP attacks. To protect your devices and data, consider these tips:
Blocking EMF and EMP Attacks with Faraday Cages
A Faraday cage, invented by Michael Faraday, uses electromagnetic induction with a metal cage. The cage diverts incoming electric fields, neutralizing any charge within. This makes it an effective tool for protecting electronics from EMP attacks.
However, not all cages or conductors can stop an EMP. Different metals block different frequencies, and any holes or leaks in the conductor can allow wavelengths to pass through. For portable devices, use an EMP-tested Faraday bag, like the Ultra Armor™ by DefenderShield®, which blocks from 0-90 GHz and is EMP-tested.
As EMP attacks become a real threat in our digital world, it’s important to be aware of the potential damage and to know how to protect your devices and data.
