EMPDHS unveils new strategy to deal with EMP threats

DHS earlier this week announced the release of the Strategy for Protecting and Preparing the Homeland against Threats from Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) and Geomagnetic Disturbance (GMD).

The new strategy outlines an approach for DHS to take to protect critical infrastructure and prepare to cope with, respond to, and recover from potentially catastrophic electromagnetic pulse incidents. The strategy reflects the consensus assessment of the intelligence community about the threat EMP posed by adversaries of the United States.

Electromagnetic incidents, caused by either an intentional EMP attack or naturally occurring GMD events, are unlikely, but they could cause serious damage to the U.S critical infrastructure, including the electrical grid, communications equipment, financial services, and transportation capabilities.

The new DHS strategy primarily focuses on DHS activities, but it recognizes the importance of close collaboration with federal, state, and local decision-makers, sector-specific agencies, and private sector critical infrastructure owner-operators. DHS says that this partnership is essential to help critical infrastructure owners and operators to manage EMP and GMD risk.

DHS is currently developing an accompanying Implementation Plan, which will include measures that enable DHS to evaluate progress toward addressing identified capability gaps. Together, the strategy and its companion Implementation Plan will improve DHS’s management oversight and optimize resource utilization for a national EMP/GMD protection, response, and recovery activities.

DHS says it intends to review and update the EMP/GMD strategy, as needed, and regularly assess the department’s progress on the Implementation Plan.