🔒 What Is a TEMPEST-Protected Door?

A TEMPEST-protected door (or TEMPEST-shielded door) is a specially designed security door that prevents electromagnetic emissions from leaking in or out of a protected area.
It is primarily used in military facilities, embassies, intelligence centers, data rooms, and secure communication areas where information security against electromagnetic spying is critical.

⚡ What Is TEMPEST?

TEMPEST is a NATO and U.S. security standard meaning:

Telecommunications Electronics Material Protected from Emanating Spurious Transmissions.

In other words, it refers to a set of measures designed to protect electronic equipment from leaking electromagnetic signals that could be intercepted and analyzed.

🚪 Purpose of a TEMPEST Door

TEMPEST doors:

• Block electromagnetic and radio frequency (RF) emissions from escaping the room.

• Prevent outside eavesdropping using electromagnetic signals.

• Operate on the Faraday cage principle, using conductive materials and specialized RF seals.

• Are often combined with acoustic, fire, ballistic, and blast resistance for comprehensive protection.

⚙️ Typical Technical Features

• Electrical continuity: < 100 mΩ

• RF shielding effectiveness: 60–100 dB (100 MHz – 10 GHz)

• Continuous conductive frame and panel structure

• Copper or silver-coated mesh gaskets

• Optional ballistic or fire-rated construction

📍 Common Applications

• Military command centers

• Crypto and classified communication rooms

• Secure data centers (SCIFs – Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities)

• Government and embassy secure zones