# Governments and Ultrawealthy Prepare for Grid Failure and Infrastructure Collapse Pentagon, UK, and elite individuals invest in self-sufficiency against potential systemic power outages. - **Source:** [Fortune | FORTUNE](https://brifing.si/source/769282ef-327a-4454-909a-3c7936216004) - **Published:** 2026-10-30 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/ae027e16-365a-4062-a13f-eb8e4e0025a5 ## Pentagon's FORTRESS Program The Pentagon is developing the FORTRESS program to ensure major military bases in the 48 contiguous states remain operational for 90 days during grid failures. This initiative addresses potential threats from state-backed hackers who have already infiltrated critical American energy and communications networks, necessitating complete independence in water, fuel, and power. ## UK Public Preparedness The British government launched the Be Ready campaign on October 22, advising households to maintain three days of essential supplies. This public guidance includes storing shelf-stable food, water, and cash to manage potential service disruptions. The initiative reflects a broader, government-led shift toward individual responsibility in the face of infrastructure vulnerabilities. ## Elite Survivalist Trends Ultrawealthy individuals have been investing in apocalypse insurance for years, utilizing escape homes and underground bunkers. While figures like Mark Zuckerberg have developed massive compounds with independent energy and food supplies, others like Sam Altman have openly discussed stockpiling antibiotics, gas masks, and weapons to ensure survival during major societal collapse. ## Professionalized Household Security Brian Daniel, founder of The Celebrity Personal Assistant Network, reports that wealthy clients have accelerated their safety investments over the last five years. These individuals now prioritize backup power systems and long-term supply stockpiles. Clients with net worths exceeding $100 million frequently maintain full-time security staff to manage these complex, self-sufficient residential environments. ## Real Estate as Resilience Luxury real estate buyers increasingly view security features as essential infrastructure rather than optional add-ons. In Miami, buyers prioritize impact glass, windproof construction, and generator capacity to mitigate hurricane risks and grid instability. Agents note that sophisticated investors demand these fallback plans be fully operational from the moment they acquire a property. ## Consultancy and Risk Management Philip Farina of Risky Business notes a surge in inquiries from high-net-worth families seeking comprehensive disaster preparedness. Clients are requesting integrated packages that include self-sufficient equipment, communication protocols, and weapons training. This trend reflects a growing desire for peace of mind through proactive, professionalized planning against potential large-scale emergencies or grid failures. ## Strategic Geographic Diversification Wealthy individuals are increasingly spreading their assets across multiple international and domestic properties to mitigate regional risks. By moving away from major cities and maintaining escape homes in remote locations, they aim to ensure continuity of operations. This strategy is often coupled with the acquisition of luxury underground bunkers costing millions of dollars. ## Institutionalizing Private Security The convergence of government warnings and private preparation signals a shift in how elite circles perceive systemic stability. As infrastructure threats become more visible, the normalization of bunker construction and supply stockpiling reflects a broader trend. Protecting personal assets through extreme self-sufficiency has transitioned from a niche hobby to a standard business practice. ## Sources covering this story - https://fortune.com/2026/10/30/pentagon-britain-power-outage-ultrawealthy-backup-generators-escape-homes-stockpiles-mark-zuckerberg-sam-altman-reid-hoffman/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._