Data Center Shielding: The Risk Software Cannot Cover
The electromagnetic signals servers emit are a physical security gap. The role of shielding in data centers.
3 min readJuly 22, 2026
What Are Unintended Emissions?
Every electronic device emits weak electromagnetic signals while running. With suitable equipment, the image on a screen or what is typed on a keyboard can be reconstructed from these signals.
TEMPEST is the general name for measures that prevent information leaking through these unintended emissions.
How Is Protection Achieved?
There are three ways: use low-emission equipment, keep equipment in a secure zone, or shield the environment. A TEMPEST room uses the shielding approach to protect every device inside it at once.
Power, data and ventilation lines entering the room are also routed through special filters, since they can carry information.
Who Needs It?
Government agencies handling classified information, defense companies, embassies and critical infrastructure operators need TEMPEST measures.
In NATO member countries, the SDIP-27 and SDIP-29 documents form the basic framework in this field.
Levels and Zones
Two concepts are used together in TEMPEST protection: levels showing how much equipment emits, and zones showing how much protection an area provides to the outside. Matching the two creates balanced, economical protection.
We explained the details in our SDIP-27 levels and TEMPEST zoning articles. For room-level protection, see our TEMPEST room page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TEMPEST only a military matter?
No. Government bodies handling classified data, embassies and companies with high-value business information also take TEMPEST measures.
Can screen signals be captured in an ordinary office?
Technically possible with suitable equipment at close range; the risk is assessed by the value of the information and the environment.
How does a TEMPEST room differ from a shielded room?
In addition to shielding, all lines in a TEMPEST room are filtered against information leakage and zones are separated.
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