An electromagnetic pulse (EMP) is a short burst of electromagnetic energy. Such a pulse's origin may be a natural occurrence or human-made, and can occur as a radiated, electric, or magnetic field or a conducted electric current, depending on the source. EMP interference is generally disruptive or damaging to electronic equipment, and at higher energy levels a powerful EMP event such as a lightning strike can damage physical objects such as buildings.

The U.S. government in Executive Order 13865 of March 26, 2019, states that it is the policy of the United States to prepare for the effects of EMPS. If national critical functions are housed in your data center, then the facility must meet the requirements of the executive order.

Regardless of whether it is a new or existing new data center, the facility will need to be designed and built to mitigate the effects of an EMP as defined in the executive order. This presentation teaches EMP’s impact on mission critical facilities and explores various EMP protection approaches.