Why you just might want to keep a paper backup: EMP drones that destroy electronics

Okay, so an Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) weapon, or more accurately a High-Powered Microwave (HPM) weapon works. It takes out electronics, permanently, without killing (most) people. The US, and probably other nations, are working on these weapons, and in the case of the US, successfully testing them in missile trials.

“This technology marks a new era in modern-day warfare. … In the near future, this technology may be used to render an enemy’s electronic and data systems useless even before the first troops or aircraft arrive.”
http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2012/10/29/emp-missile-microwave

Recently the Air Force, Boeing and Raytheon proved that they can make an HPM weapon, mount it to a missile, deliver it to a target and take that target out – so effectively, in fact, that the pulse also killed the cameras set up to observe the results.

This sounds like a nice, humanitarian weapon. (If you’re on a medical device, though, bye bye.) Defensive equipment goes down; invading boots hit the ground; things turn to Syria really fast.

So how many of your records are digitized? Do you have paper backups or originals for things like your mortgage and car title? What about those pictures and movies? And ultimately, does this mean it’s time to look for EMP-proof safes for electronic backups?

(And oh yes thanks once again to one of my best contributors, Herbbie.)