An electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding device and method are provided for use with an optical communications module (OCM) that is configured to be plugged into a front panel of a box or housing of an optical communications system. The EMI shielding device is mechanically coupled to an end of a housing of the OCM such that when the OCM is fully inserted through an opening formed in the front panel, the EMI shielding device comes into abutment with the front panel to form an EMI seal around the opening that prevents, or at least helps prevent, EMI from escaping from the system housing through the opening formed in the front panel.