Concerns Over U.S. Vulnerability Following Power Outages in Spain and Portugal

A major power outage recently affected parts of Spain and Portugal, sparking speculation globally about whether it was the result of an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack. Authorities later dismissed the EMP theory, yet the incident has raised pressing questions regarding America’s readiness for similar events.

According to Bryson Boat, a cybersecurity expert and former board member of the Army Cyber Institute, the U.S. faces a range of risks beyond just EMPs, including more sophisticated cyber and artificial intelligence (AI) threats.

“There are plenty of other issues that are more likely,” Boat stated. “The EMP threat is somewhat of a distraction, although it certainly shouldn’t be ignored.”

Understanding EMP Threats

An EMP is a sudden surge of electromagnetic energy that can incapacitate electronic devices over large areas. Such events could occur due to solar flares or man-made nuclear explosions. Unlike cyberattacks, which primarily target software, EMP events can severely disrupt physical systems—everything from car engines to water pumps. Experts warn that large-scale attacks might have catastrophic effects on society.

Former CIA Director James Woolsey has described EMPs as “one of the nation’s greatest vulnerabilities.” Some estimates suggest that infrastructure failure could potentially result in a 90% population decline in the U.S. within a year.

“The first loss would be our water supply,” noted Dr. William Forstchen, a long-time researcher on EMPs. “After just a few days, essential services like hospitals and law enforcement would be in serious trouble.”

While the Trump administration issued an executive order for federal agencies to prepare for such threats, Boat argued that preparations are often inconsistent. “We’re really not ready for this type of event,” he warned.

Forstchen expressed a mixture of optimism and concern regarding the “Golden Dome” Project, which aims to develop ground- and space-based defense systems against EMP threats. However, it remains years away from completion.

Cyber Attacks: An Ongoing Risk

While EMPs are a grave concern, many experts believe that cyberattacks pose a more immediate and destructive threat. Boat mentioned, “We’ve known for over a decade that Chinese entities have access to critical U.S. infrastructure. They haven’t acted yet, but their capability is worrisome.”

This week, U.S. officials discovered a communications module embedded in a Chinese-made power inverter, used to connect renewable energy sources to the grid. Boat referred to the “Jack Voltaic” project, a military simulation assessing vulnerabilities in response to cyberattacks on essential infrastructure.

“The interconnectedness is staggering,” Boat continued. “Without water, our entire electric grid grinds to a halt since it requires cooling.”

He explained that cyberattacks often involve long-term infiltration, allowing hackers to position themselves within systems over time. “It’s not just a matter of someone saying, ‘I’ll hit a city tomorrow.’ It’s a deeper strategy that waits for the right political situation to act,” he clarified.

The Rapidly Evolving Threat of AI

Another concern for U.S. infrastructure comes from the rise of artificial intelligence, particularly systems that may achieve human-level cognitive abilities. Military engineer Tyler Saltzman cautioned that maliciously used AI could dismantle the grid entirely. “Our infrastructure is incredibly vulnerable,” he commented. “If the power grid fails, chaos will ensue.”

Saltzman expressed concern over the potential of AI surpassing human control, saying, “Once AGIs are operational, they could potentially disrupt the power grid, break into financial systems, and even collapse the economy. Given the violence of humans, why would an AGI want to help us?”

Concerns of Surveillance and Future Threats

In 2023, surveillance balloons from China traversed U.S. airspace for several days before being intercepted. While believed to be for espionage, defense officials suggest that these high-altitude balloons can also carry electronic warfare tools, including EMP capabilities. There have been longstanding warnings about the risks of balloon-based EMP attacks, though some argue that missiles are more effective.

Regardless of the nature of future threats, experts largely agree that the U.S. is ill-prepared. “We’re still focused on traditional warfare with tanks,” Boat said, emphasizing that the real battle is already happening in the realm of infrastructure.