The threat from HEMP against civilian infrastructure. Report from KBM workshop 27 January 2005

This report is an account of the content and outcome of a workshop arranged by the Swedish Emergency Management Agency. The workshop was held in Stockholm in January 2005. One aim of the workshop was to make a presentation of the content and conclusions of a report from the Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Attack, which was presented for the US Congress in July 2004. Another aim was to prepare a basis for a decision on possible activities and measures to be taken by Swedish authorities. The conclusion from the workshop is that a survey of the state and condition of the protection against HEMP in Sweden should be carried out, and that this investigation shall include also the effects of the E3- component of the HEMP threat. The way to organize and finance such a survey is however yet unclear. Our recommendation is that such a survey should be accomplished. Awaiting a solution of suitable forms for organization and financiation we propose that a specialized, less extensive investigation should be started immediately. This should consist of a susceptibility analysis of vital components of the Swedish electric power infrastructure. The study should be carried out in co-operation with Svenska Kraftnät, ABB and others. If possible, for the analyses of the impact of the E3 component, a foreign consultant with profound experience from those kind of studies should be employed.