Disclosed herein are systems and methods for detecting an event while a powered system is powered off. An exemplary system comprises an event input that is configured to detect an electrical signal created by an event while the system is powered off; a zero-power event memory configured to receive the electrical signal from the event input and use the electrical signal to store an indication that the event occurred, wherein the zero-power event memory is configured to store the indication that the event occurred at least until the system next powers on; a read subsystem that is configured to, when the system powers on, access the zero-power event memory and determine whether or not an event occurred while the system was powered off; and a reset subsystem that is configured to, when the system powers off, cause the zero-power event memory to reset to a state indicating that no event has occurred. Further, the system may comprise an event response subsystem configured to take appropriate responsive actions when an event is detected.