A gasket for use with an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding cage for a connector includes a conductive body having an opening configured to receive a first end of the EMI shielding cage near a gasket mating wall incorporated on the EMI shielding cage. The conductive body has a first face designed to face away from the gasket mating wall, a second face designed to face the gasket mating wall, an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter. A plurality of engagement tabs are disposed along the outer perimeter and extend away from the first face. A plurality of spring tabs are disposed along the inner perimeter and extend away from the second face. When the first end of the EMI shielding cage is inserted into the opening of the conductive body and an opening of an optional complementary faceplate with the engagement tabs facing the faceplate and the spring tabs facing the gasket mating wall of the EMI shielding cage, the engagement tabs and the spring tabs cooperatively maintain a predefined separation distance D1 between the gasket mating wall and the optional complementary faceplate.