How Man-Made EMP Events Could Cripple Data Centers
An electromagnetic pulse (EMP) is a sudden surge of electromagnetic energy that can disrupt or damage electronic devices and infrastructure. EMP events can be caused by natural phenomena, such as solar flares, or by human-made devices, such as nuclear weapons or improvised EMP generators. Man-made EMP events pose a serious threat to data centers, which store and process large amounts of data and information that are essential for many organizations and individuals. In a war scenario, data centers may be a major target for adversaries who seek to cripple the economy and the security of the enemy.
What is a man-made EMP event?
A man-made EMP event is a deliberate attack that uses a device to generate a powerful electromagnetic pulse. There are three main types of man-made EMP devices:
- High-altitude EMP (HEMP): A nuclear weapon detonated at an altitude of 30 to 400 kilometers above the Earth's surface, creating a wide-area EMP effect that can cover a continent or more¹².- Surface-burst EMP (SREMP): A nuclear weapon detonated near the ground, creating a localized EMP effect that can affect a city or a region¹².- Intentional electromagnetic interference (IEMI): A non-nuclear device that emits a directed or radiated EMP, creating a focused EMP effect that can target a specific facility or system¹³.
How can man-made EMP events damage data centers?
Man-made EMP events can damage data centers in various ways, depending on the type, intensity, and duration of the EMP. Some of the possible effects are:
- Power outages and surges: A HEMP or a SREMP can induce strong electric currents in the power grid, causing power fluctuations, overloads, and failures¹². Data centers rely on uninterrupted power supply (UPS) and backup generators to maintain their operations, but these systems may not be able to withstand or recover from a severe EMP event⁴.- Equipment damage and malfunction: A HEMP, a SREMP, or an IEMI can expose data center equipment to high levels of electromagnetic radiation, which can overload and harm electrical circuits¹ [^2^
(1) Electromagnetic pulse and its threat to data centers. https://uptimeinstitute.com/resources/research-and-reports/electromagnetic-pulse-and-its-threat-to-data-centers.
(2) Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Protection and Resilience Guidelines ... - CISA. https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/19_0307_CISA_EMP-Protection-Resilience-Guidelines.pdf.
(3) New data center protects against solar storms and nuclear EMPs. https://www.computerworld.com/article/2606378/new-data-center-protects-against-solar-storms-and-nuclear-emps.html.
(4) Is your datacenter safe from the next solar super storm?. https://www.theregister.com/2022/10/24/datacenter_solar_storm_emp/.
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