Electronic surveillance system vulnerability to advanced weapon threats

The primary focus of this paper is on the effects of phenomena produced by advanced weapons on physical security system performance. The types stressed in the paper are the high-altitude electromagnetic pulse, high-power microwaves, and lasers. Topics include generation mechanisms, interactions with security system components and possible effects, and illustrative counter measures. This paper is not intended to imply that the types of threats discussed are applicable to all types of security systems and that all systems should be designed to withstand them. For example, they would not be applicable to a residential burglar alarm. The threats in this paper might be available to a Government activity or to a well financed terrorist or sabotage organization, and are applicable to systems designed to protect against such groups. Also, although in some instances they might be used to assist in covert penetration, in most instances it is not expected that they would be used for that purpose. These threats will have the capability to render the total system or major components thereof inoperative, and this is the manner in which it is expected that they would be encountered.