Most conversations about data centers’ physical security focus on visible risks like drone strikes, hurricanes, and power outages. There’s another, largely invisible force that can bring down data centers: electromagnetic interference (EMI). The type, frequency, and intensity of these waves vary widely, but they all have the potential to create electromagnetic interference. Related:Federal Data Center Requirements: A Guide for Upgrading Existing FacilitiesWhy Data Center EMI Risk Is RisingEMI has been a concern since the dawn of digital electronics, but the risk is worsening as digital infrastructure becomes more pervasive and more densely concentrated. Site selection matters: placing facilities away from strong emitters, such as major cellular infrastructure, high-voltage transmission lines, and clusters of other high-density data centers, reduces ambient exposure.