Computer Failures, EMP and Other Infrastructure Collapses

infrastructure collapses

We have all heard about EMP, CMP, Cyber attacks on the electrical grid and computer failures.  In the last few days, several things have come to my attention that are relevant to these subjects and at the same time show how much we are dependent on electronic systems.  Infrastructure collapses in any of these areas either big or small can affect us.

Yesterday I spoke with a friend whose daughter is having some medical issues.  She had a number of tests including a colonoscopy, a upper GI and some blood test and a biopsy. Now normally you would hear back the results within a couple of days.  In this case, it has been about 3 weeks and they do not have the results due to the collapse of a computer system.  She said that the Doctor does not even know which lab the samples were sent too.  Now my friend does not fully understand the problem, but she knows that the test results have disappeared into limbo. They did not have a good backup plan for infrastructure collapses. Now this gives a taste of how large-scale infrastructure collapses would affect the medical community.

Let’s talk about EMP for a moment, On Oct 29, 2015 the White House Office of Science and Technology published its strategic plan to prepare for an extreme weather event in space that could destroy satellites, spacecraft, and vital telecommunications systems.  This is a plan that seems to center on developing early warning systems of CMP (a solar storm).

In addition it is my understanding that the Department of Homeland Security, in partnership with the Department of Energy, has been given 120 days (from the strategy plan’s publication date) to develop an “all-hazard Power Outage Incident Annex” that will include steps to respond and recover from an extreme solar surge, if one strikes.

See also  6 Key Things to Do Before, During, and After a Terrorist Attack

Now I know that some of the power companies are working on various plans to prevent the electrical system from failing due to EMP, CMP or cyber attacks. Some information that I have received shows that they are making some progress.  At the same time the Center for Security Policy  is very concerned about the potential threats on infrastructure collapse.

My suggestion is to do two things, one assume that we will have infrastructure collapses and prepare accordingly.  The best technology of its day did not prevent Pearl Harbor.  Two, try not to become too dependent of technology without having a good backup plan for infrastructure collapses.

Howard.

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4 thoughts on “Computer Failures, EMP and Other Infrastructure Collapses”

  1. we did just fine BEFORE the internet, cell phones, satellite tv, cable tv, atm’s, credit cards, shopping on line, etc. just be prepared to return to that , sooner than later. because i believe it’s on our horizon. boy scout motto .

    1. Congratulations on your apparent confidence in your preps. For most of us, should a “hard shift” to those “good old days” (my sentiments, too) occur, the reversion process would be far from a “no brainer” and there would be a startlingly high body count. Most people not already living completely “off the grid” would suffer hugely. Out of consideration for us still dependent on the grid, please don’t wish for it.

  2. Having lived without electricity several times during my life, I have prepared to deal with it.

    The younger generations who rely on electronics in their daily lives are what I may have difficulty dealing with. They are going to represent as much of a threat in my life as people who rely on drugs in their everyday lives.

    Fortunately, we live in a rural setting and have done some serious prepping and practice independent living to make life easier during difficult times.

    I pray for all the people who will be faced with these circumstances.

  3. Veteran Who Is Preparing

    If you own a business, or know someone who does, it might be a good idea to have some of the old price tag guns on hand with plenty of tags. That way if there is a longer term outage the products/items can be tagged within a few hours and still sold. I know the stores here still have some of the older registers (pre-internet) but they still require power. They usually pull them out for tent sales. To go with it a weekly price log sheet should be on a clip board so the prices can be looked up and done quickly. That would help matters immensely and possibly cut down on the store being looted as long as people can buy stuff (provided they have cash on hand). I would also like to see stores in rural areas re-install the old steel roll cages. That way they can close off most exits and entrances to just 1 for access control and prevent people from slipping out a fire door that the alarms no longer works for. But most managers now only look at the bottom line and space taken up by this stuff is taking up space from stock. I know of 1 grocery store in our area that uses the empty stores in the mini-mall it occupies as additional storage. They usually contain TP, dog food, and dry goods for sales.

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