2011 Essential Guide to Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Attack - Reports of the EMP Commission on the Threat and Critical National Infrastructure - The Danger from High-Altitude Nuclear Explosions

Comprehensive guide to the threat of an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack with a high-altitude nuclear weapon detonation, including both reports of the Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Attack (Executive Report and 2008 Critical Infrastructure Report), plus testimony given at hearings before the House of Representatives Committee on National Security, Military Research and Development Subcommittee, on the threat posed by EMP to U.S. military systems and civil infrastructure. The commission report abstract states: "Several potential adversaries have or can acquire the capability to attack the United States with a high-altitude nuclear weapon-generated electromagnetic pulse (EMP). A determined adversary can achieve an EMP attack capability without having a high level of sophistication. EMP is one of a small number of threats that can hold our society at risk of catastrophic consequences. EMP will cover the wide geographic region within line of sight to the nuclear weapon. It has the capability to produce significant damage to critical infrastructures and thus to the very fabric of US society, as well as to the ability of the United States and Western nations to project influence and military power. The common element that can produce such an impact from EMP is primarily electronics, so pervasive in all aspects of our society and military, coupled through critical infrastructures. Our vulnerability is increasing daily as our use of and dependence on electronics continues to grow. The impact of EMP is asymmetric in relation to potential protagonists who are not as dependent on modern electronics. The current vulnerability of our critical infrastructures can both invite and reward attack if not corrected. Correction is feasible and well within the Nation's means and resources to accomplish." Commission executive report contents include: Nature of the EMP Threat; Prevention; Protection and Recovery of Civilian Infrastructures; Strategy And Recommendations; Intelligence, Interdiction, and Deterrence; Protecting Critical Components of the Infrastructure; Maintaining the Capability to Monitor and Evaluate the Condition of Critical Infrastructures; Recognizing EMP Attack; Planning to Carry Out a Systematic Recovery of Critical Infrastructures; Training, Evaluating, Red Teaming, and Periodically Reporting to the Congress; Defining the Federal Government's Responsibility and Authority to Act; Recognizing the Opportunities for Shared Benefits; Conducting Research and Development Electric Power Infrastructure; Telecommunications; Importance of Assured Telecommunications; EMP Effects on Telecommunications; Recommended Mitigation Activities ; Banking And Finance; Fuel/Energy Infrastructure; Transportation Infrastructure; Food Infrastructure; Water Supply Infrastructure; Emergency Services; Space Systems; Government; Keeping The Citizenry Informed; Protection Of Military Forces. The Critical National Infrastructures report includes: Infrastructure Commonalities * SCADA Systems * Impact of SCADA Vulnerabilities on Critical Infrastructures: Historical Insight * Infrastructures and Their Interdependencies * Commission-Sponsored Modeling and Simulation (M&S) Activities * Electric Power * Description * Vulnerabilities * Test Results * Historical Insights * Distinctions * Strategy * Recommendations * Telecommunications * Telecommunications Support During Emergencies * EMP Impact on Telecommunications * Recommendations * Banking and Finance * The Financial Services Industry * Vulnerability to EMP * Consequences of Financial Infrastructure Failure * Petroleum and Natural Gas * Infrastructure Description * Direct Effects of EMP on Petroleum and Natural Gas Infrastructure * Petroleum Infrastructure and SCADA * Natural Gas Infrastructure and SCADA * Effects of an EMP Event on the U.S. Petroleum and Natural Gas Infrastructures