Are fireproof document bags effective against magnetic fields or Electromagnetic Pulses (EMP) for protecting digital assets like external hard drives?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

This is a specialized concern that frequently arises from users looking to protect more than just physical papers. While fireproof document bags excel at protecting against fire and water, their primary design is not for shielding against magnetic fields or Electromagnetic Pulses, often referred to as EMP. The materials used for fire and water resistance, such as fiberglass and silicone, do not typically possess inherent magnetic shielding properties. To protect digital assets like external hard drives, USBs, or memory cards from EMP, you would generally need a Faraday cage or a device specifically designed with EMP shielding materials, which are typically dense, conductive metals that block electromagnetic radiation. A standard fireproof bag will not prevent data corruption from a strong EMP event. If protecting digital assets from EMP is a critical part of your death planning strategy, you would need to combine your fireproof bag with an EMP shielded container, or store digital backups in geographically diverse locations, potentially even off-site or in cloud storage with robust cybersecurity. For thermal and moisture protection of digital assets, however, a fireproof document bag remains an excellent choice.