The IEMI threat is real and credible.

The insidious characteristic of IEMI on our national infrastructure is that it attacks both cyber and physical security aspects of electronics-based systems in manners that can completely circumvent firewalls, layered networks, passwords, physical barriers, security procedures, etc. Unlike traditional cyber threats to data security, IEMI is extremely covert and difficult to detect and trace with forensics, and with the ability to impede digital forensics by corrupting the data. Fortunately, there are remediation approaches to help diminish this threat class if appropriate steps are taken.

IEMI threats have been recognized by numerous government, national, and international bodies, which include:

• The EMP Commission The US Congress has recognized the risk to civilian infrastructure and created a committee. (See report: July 2008 (7MB PDF))
• The US NAVY The US Navy issued a report about the commercial threat of IEMI/RF weapons. (See report: August 2005 (11MB PDF))
• The IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) The IEC has established non-military standards that have been adopted by governmental organizations in the EU (European Union). The IEC 61000 standards are recommended for civilian infrastructure. These new standards provided by the IEC can provide substantial protection from these threats, but not at the expense of full Mil-Std 285.
• Department of Homeland Security Excerpt (page 33-34 from 2004 National Infrastructure Protection Research and Development Plan- Department of Homeland Security: f) Electromagnetic, Laser, and Particle Beam Weapons): “New Classes of weapons are emerging that involve directed energy. Electromagnetic (EM) shock wave, EM pulsed and … [other] weapons are under development. These weapons can interfere with and destroy sensitive electronics. The science and creation of some of these devices are well within the capabilities of terrorists [today]. These weapons can unleash very wide spread damage or very accurate surgical damage with a very limited investment. These weapons have the potential of being used selectively and intermittently, and can be disguised as ordinary objects ranging in size from a briefcase to a delivery truck. Most detection measures have little to no experience in spotting such weapons or the key elements that go into developing them. Protection against these weapons involves not only purposeful hardening against the effects of such weapons, but also the development of new recognition and intent detection profiles.”
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs calls out IEMI as one of the human-caused hazards in its assessment process.