YEAR END 2017

A I R S P A C ESECURITY REPORT

AIRSPACESECURITY REPORT

03 Introduction and Executive Summary

04 Industry Insights

08 Disaster Responders

10 Airports

12 Correctional Facilities

14 Stadiums, Arenas and Public Events

16 Enterprises and Data Centers

18 Private Individuals

20 Defense and Drone Terrorism Update

23 Drone Regulatory and Legal News Roundup

25 Predictions and Analysis of Drone Detection and Security for 2018

28 Dedrone News

33 Conclusion

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In 2017, airspace security and drone detection emerged as

a critical need for organizations and individuals to protect

their physical and cyber infrastructure. Regulators around

the world are racing to keep pace with drone innovation,

security implications for militaries and corporations, and

ensuring safe flying practices for hobby and commercial

pilots. Drone technology must be met with detection

technology to ensure airspace security. Laws can be cir-

cumvented, but detection technology cannot.

This report outlines major incidents in 2017 for multiple

industries, showcasing the research completed, incidents

observed, and solutions that exist to secure their airspace,

as well as the top predictions for the airspace security

market for 2018. The priorities of companies, individuals,

militaries, and regulators have changed rapidly to ensure

the safe adoption of drones to international airspace, and

that their airspace is protected from all drone threats.

AIRSPACE SECURITY REPORT 3

DRONE SECURITY INSIGHTS REPORT 4

First Responders

During a major wildfire, Burbank Police

Department shared that they “cannot

stress how dangerous [flying drones]

is. We have low flying aircraft that are

attacking this fire and flying a drone

near a fire is extremely dangerous.

It can result in catastrophic conse-

quences,” The U.S. Department of the

Interior began their “If You Fly, We

Can’t” campaign to alert drone owners

of the fines and penalties they face for

flying in “no-fly” zones and interfering

with firefighting operations. Flying

drones around federally protected air-

space, which is usually designated after

a disaster, will suspend operations until

the airspace is clear from all unauthor-

ized aircraft. “Let the firefighters do

their job and do the work that they

need to get done,” pleaded an official

in Montana during a wildfire.

Page 08

Airports

“This should not have happened,”

Canada’s Transport Minister Marc

Garneau stated after a passenger plane

was struck by a drone as it approached

Quebec City’s Jean Lesage airport. In

2017, the FAA received an average of

250 reports of drones near airports

every month, and began researching the

impact of drone collisions on passen-

ger flights. The UAS Airborne Collision

Severity Evaluation Final Report began

the conversation about the fatal conse-

quences of drone collisions to engines,

windows, wings, and other parts of

passenger aircraft.

Page 10

Correctional

Facilities

In 2017, Georgia Department of Cor-

rections demonstrated how proactive

technology solutions solves security

breaches. Prior in the year, Georgia

Department of Corrections Director

of Professional Standards, Clay Nix

admitted, “Before you weren’t looking

over the fence because nothing was

coming over – maybe thrown over the

fence – but it wasn’t flying over the

fence.” Only six months after making

this statement, Georgia Department

of Corrections announced a successful

interception of a drug delivery, thanks

to an alert from DroneTracker. “The

DroneTracker alarm, a newly piloted

system...sounded...an inner and outer

sweep of the facility was conducted

and officers recovered two packages

containing a large amount of marijuana

left behind by the drone.”

Page 12

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

AIRSPACE SECURITY REPORT 4

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS 5

Stadiums, Arenas, and

Public Events

“Obviously the safety of the venue is at

stake and we never know the inten-

tions of the operator are.” shared Wahid

Kazem, a captain with Santa Clara police

after a drone pilot dropped leaflets

over a stadium. Santa Clara Police Lt.

Dan Moreno continued, stating the

case marked the “most serious incident

involving a drone” at Levi’s Stadium, and

that “it’s fortunate that the drone’s

payload...was only pieces of paper.” Af-

ter a drone crashed into spectators at a

Major League Baseball game, the team’s

Chief Operation Officer shared, “ This

incident highlights the dangers posed

by unauthorized drone use in proximity

to large public venues.”

Page 14

Enterprises

“And while you may believe that you

have a right to keep drones out of your

business, that’s not always simple.”

shares tech reporter Lauren Barack in a

discussion about drone countermeas-

ures for corporations. “It’s hard to catch

drone pilots who break those rules —

particularly those who already know

they’re bending them by snapping a

photo of a new test car.” Few protec-

tions exist for enterprises to prevent

drone intrusions, and before they put

together a security program to mitigate

risks, company leaders must first gain

situational awareness and determine

how many drones are entering their

airspace.

Page 16

Private Individuals

Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin turned

to Twitter to express his outrage when

a local news station filmed his home

with their drone. “At what point does

the perverse fascination by [news sta-

tions] with my home & family become

stalking?” One station called him back,

replying, they flew at his home “in

accordance to the FAA rules to cover

news.” A Salt Lake City resident shared

with a local news station, “I heard some

buzzing and didn’t think anything of it,”

when he heard a drone above his prop-

erty. “I look up and he’s just hovering

right around our backyard, and I’m like,

‘Whatever, it’s a drone and probably

some neighborhood kid playing with

it. A third, fourth, fifth time, I’m like:

‘Alright, someone is watching us for

whatever reason.”

Page 18

I think that the expectation is

that it is coming here, imminently.

Two years ago, this was not a problem.

A year ago, this was an emerging problem.

Now it’s a real problem.

U.S. National Counterterrorism Center Director Nicholas Rasmussen

“

AIRSPACE SECURITY REPORT 7

Defense and Drone Terrorism Update

In September 2017, U.S. FBI Director Christopher Wray and National Counterterrorism Center Director Nicholas Rasmus-

sen testified to the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee panel in October regarding the

rise of drone terrorism. Wray explained, “I think that the expectation is that it is coming here, imminently. Two years ago,

this was not a problem. A year ago, this was an emerging problem. Now it’s a real problem.”

Drone Regulatory and Legal News Roundup

Lawmakers and regulators across the globe are moving quickly to integrate laws to ensure public safety. They also are

evaluating new risks that drones pose to international airspace. Laws can be circumvented by motivated pilots looking

to cause disruptions or harm, or by unprepared or unskilled pilots who are not aware of the risks their flights pose. Laws

help inform and guide property managers, but it’s up to security personnel to proactively protect their airspace from

unknown drone risks.

Predictions and Analysis of Drone Detection and Security for 2018

In our first edition of the Airspace Security Insights Report, four emerging topic areas to watch for the latter half of 2017

were addressed. In addition to re-visiting how these issues progressed, this report outlines emerging issues to watch in

2018. The new year will open up new conversations related to pilot rights, data collection, defense, cybersecurity, per-

sonal protection, among a plethora of security issues.

Dedrone News

Dedrone, the market and technology leader in airspace security, benchmarked multiple milestones in 2017, including the

retention of new global partners, the opening of a new office, and the receipt of multiple accolades for their technology

and innovation. Based in San Francisco, Dedrone was founded in 2014 and is backed by investors including Felicis Ven-

tures, Menlo Ventures, and John Chambers, Chairman Emeritus of Cisco Systems.

Conclusion

By incorporating proactive drone detection technology into an existing security system, organizations and individuals are

empowered and enabled to understand when their airspace is at risk. While drones are providing positive contributions to

society such as through entertainment, search and rescue, and inspection, private and public companies must be willing

to use counter drone technology to prevent losses and protect infrastructure and people.

AIRSPACE SECURITY REPORT 8

The FAA closely monitors severe weather

events and authorizes local governments to enact

temporary flight restrictions to clear their airspace,

enabling first responders to fly safely and without

interference. Despite persistent communication from

the FAA and other national disaster management

organizations, drones are entering restricted airspace

during emergencies, jeopardizing the safety of first

responders and their ability to conduct missions.

The disaster response efforts for the Northern

California wildfires, Tropical Storm Harvey, Hurricane

Irma, and Hurricane Jose, demonstrated that drones

will continue to be used to survey damage and assist

in search and rescue, and that hobby drone pilots are

ignoring the calls federal regulators to cease flights,

putting aerial rescue efforts at risk and causing

delays.

First responders need to be proactive in protecting

their airspace while laws are being proposed, such as

The Wildfire Airspace Protection Act of 2017 (H.R. 1138)

which aims to create a criminal penalty for launching

drones that interfere with fighting wildfires affecting

Federal property.

DISASTER RESPONSE

DISASTER RESPONSE 9

Over the course of recent U.S. natural disasters, FEMA and the FAA watched with dismay as people

posted photos and video on social media showcasing drone footage. Hobby pilots may not be

aware of the unique issues that extreme weather conditions pose to their hardware, as storms and

hurricane force winds can make a drone a projectile that will possibly injure or damage property.

First responders experienced multiple drone incidents firsthand in the second half of 2017, and were

affected by following activities:

Air traffic and detection systems for small drones at low altitudes is necessary

for ensuring skies are clear for disaster recovery efforts, to identify rogue or

nuisance pilots, and to continue to protect sensitive infrastructure from airspace

threats. Cities and local governments of the future, whether managed locally,

through private enterprises or by government municipalities, will require mon-

itoring of their lower airspace for consumer and commercial drones. Proactive

drone detection enables emergency response organizations to follow airspace

activity, divert operations to avoid collisions, as well as locate pilots to hold

them responsible for any activity interruption.

Top Drone Incidents and Interruptions for First Responders

→ Crash victim dies following delayed air ambulance flight: After spotting a drone in its

flightpath, a rescue helicopter was forced to remain airborne rather than landing and starting

treatment on a critically injured patient. The patient died due to his injuries a short while after

landing at the hospital. Law enforcement is investigating whether the pilot’s negligence and

ignorance to follow local airspace laws was a contributing factor to the victim’s delayed care

and resulting death.

→ California man cited for flying drone over airport, impeding firefighters. A drone operator

flew his aircraft near a staging area for firefighters and rescue aircraft. The drone’s presence

caused Cal Fire to stop takeoffs and landings to avoid the possibility of a collision. Operations

were halted for about 10 minutes at a time when any delay getting fire retardant to raging fire

lines “can be detrimental,” according to the Cal Fire Deputy Chief.

→ Hurricane Harvey onlookers frustrate FAA, FEMA, and U.S. Military responders: Warnings to

hobby flight pilots escalated throughout the relief efforts after multiple agencies involved

with rescue efforts reported drones in their airspace and interruptions to their operations.

CONCLUSION

AIRSPACE SECURITY REPORT 10

Over 16.5 million flights were

handled by the U.S. FAA in 2016, transporting over 2.5

million passengers a day. Recreational operators are

required to give notice for flights within five miles of

an airport to both the airport operator and air traffic

control tower, if the airport has a tower. However,

recreational operations are not permitted in most

airspace around most major airports without specific

air traffic permission and coordination. The FAA and

airports have become increasingly aware of the pres-

ence of unmanned aerial vehicles near their opera-

tions, and as activity in 2017 showed, many of these

airports are woefully unprepared to detect drones in

advance of an incident and avoid interruptions.

Proactive detection make the airport aware of who is

entering their airspace and at what time. The FAA and

other international regulatory bodies have eagerly

published additional guidance for drone operators to

ensure they are flying in safe zones, and enterprises

in the drone industry have created software to help

drone operators automatically avoid flying in any

restricted area, or receive expedited clearance to fly

near an airport. Regardless of these resources, drones

are crashing into passenger planes and causing mil-

lions of dollars in operational losses.

AIRPORTS

It takes more than just a keen eye from a passenger aircraft pilot and his crew to detect an advanc-

ing drone. Without any identifying factors on the drone itself, airports and flight operators must

brace for any possibility or reason for an airspace interruption. Airports experienced multiple drone

incidents firsthand in the second half of 2017 and were affected by following activities:

When an unauthorized drone entered Gatwick airport’s airspace, air traffic con-

trollers had to redirect incoming planes, and keep them flying in holding patterns

nearby. If they didn’t have enough fuel, they were re-routed to land at other air-

ports. Planes and passengers on the ground were delayed by two hours. Watch a

simulation of this event in action here.

Drone collisions can be catastrophic and cause far more harm than a bird,

according to research completed by the FAA. While laws exist to inform drone pi-

lots of the restricted areas they can fly, federal regulators need to take the next

step and ensure that these laws are being enforced, by knowing when a drone

pilot is in violation. By detecting drones before they breach critical airspace,

airports can prevent significant losses of time and money to airport operators,

airlines, and passengers. These costs continue to rise and risk the safety of all

people involved with managing passenger flights.

Top Drone Incidents and Interruptions at Airports

→ Drone ‘put 130 lives at risk’ as plane was trying to land at Gatwick Airport. The plane’s first

officer told investigators that the ‘startle factor of the drone’s proximity’ nearly caused him

to disconnect the cockpit’s autopilot system and take ‘avoiding action’. Instead, he landed the

plane to safety at a nearby airport.

→ Canadian passenger plane collides with rogue drone. “This should not have happened,”

shared Canadian Transportation Minister Marc Garneau following the crash. “If a drone were

to hit the window of a cockpit and incapacitate the pilot, or were to damage in anyway an

engine, this could have catastrophic results.”

→ “It’s unclear how the drone got there.” A crashed drone was found at John F. Kennedy (JFK)

airport in New York City during a routine maintenance check.

→ Flights halted after drone is spotted. A drone camera was being used to prepare a film shoot

near Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, India. Three people were arrested in this

matter.

CONCLUSION

AIRPORTS 11

AIRSPACE SECURITY REPORT 12

Thousands of movements are made

every day in a correctional facility. These routine

actions, such as doors opening, inmate transfers and

escorts, and daily headcounts, are carefully planned

to prioritize the safety of the corrections officer. With

the rise and availability of commercial drones, air-

space security breaches are happening overhead and

at inaccessible heights. Only until a drone is spotted,

the damage occurs, or contraband is dropped, will a

security officer be aware of a breach, putting at risk

the physical safety of prison personnel, direct care

staff, and the public.

When an unauthorized drone appears, corrections

officers must brace for innumerable dangers. During

the daytime, drone alert systems can trigger alarms,

prompting personnel to shut down operations and

evacuate inmates from outdoor recreation. Contra-

band delivery drones, if noticed by inmates, can dis-

rupt order and have incited riots, adding to the stress

of a correctional officer to keep operation procedures

intact. Officers will have the opportunity to escort

inmates before the drone breaches the property, con-

duct searches, review video, and locate contraband.

At night, guard towers remain the security option of

choice for facilities, but a line of sight is no match for

a discrete and fast-moving drone. A drone detection

system gives security personnel time to control a

situation and stay ahead of it rather than react to it.

CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES

Correctional facilities are acutely aware of the increase in drone incidents. Drone deliveries of

drugs, cellphones, and hacksaw blades can not only increase the risk of violence between inmates

but threaten the physical safety of the facility and the people protecting it. Undetected drones

can also expose security vulnerabilities by showing a bird’s eye view of staff rotations and inmate

movement. Correctional facilities experienced multiple drone incidents firsthand in the second half

of 2017, and were affected by following activities:

All correctional facilities want to make certain that every member of their team

goes home safely. Drone contraband, espionage, and interruptions are adding

new risks and challenges to their employee’s personal safety. Proactive drone

detection and automated alerts integrate efficiently and into existing security

protocols, supporting the security goals of all correctional facilities around the

world.

Top Drone Incidents and Interruptions for Correctional Facilities

→ Caught on camera: Australian citizen watches live drone contraband on prison CCTV. A mem-

ber of the public watching a live-feed video of a prison yard alerted prison staff to a drone

flying near a correctional facility. After investigating, officers found found two packages

containing 403 steroid capsules on an inmate.

→ U.S. inmate uses drone to deliver supplies for prison break: Investigators believe a drone

flew in a pair of wire cutters, aiding the escape of an inmate. When the inmate was caught, he

had in his possession a semi-automatic pistol, a pump shotgun, $47,654 in cash and four cell

phones.

→ Drone breach at U.S. prison went undetected for two months: A Michigan State Police report

says a drone that sneaked contraband into a state prison went undetected for nearly two

months. After retroactively reviewing camera footage, investigators found two packages

carrying cell phones were successfully delivered to prisoners via drone.

→ Georgia Department of Corrections successful intercepts contraband delivery through

DroneTracker: Security personnel at Autry State Prison located two packages of contraband

after their DroneTracker alarm sounded, alerting them to a drone delivery. “As we contin-

ue to remain diligent at preventing contraband from entering our facilities, technological

devices like the DroneTracker assist us in our efforts,” said Commissioner Gregory C. Dozier.

“Even though contraband drops are becoming more and more creative, the dedication of our

officers has remained steadfast in their fight to against contraband.”

CONCLUSION

CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES 13

AIRSPACE SECURITY REPORT 14

During gametime, stadiums

are responsible for the safety of tens of thousands of

people for a few hours at a time. At night when it all

shuts down, they are quietly closed, and transform

into an empty property with no watchful eyes on the

airspace. Stadiums, arenas and events are especially

vulnerable to terror threats, including those im-

plemented by drones with suspicious payloads or

cameras.

The FAA grants temporary restricted flight zones for

special events. While stadiums, arenas, and public

event organizers have some support from federal

regulators. Under current FAA rules, flying drones in

and around a three nautical mile radius of stadiums is

prohibited starting one hour before and ending one

hour after the scheduled time of any of the following

events:

• Major League Baseball

• National Football League

• NCAA Division One Football

• NASCAR Sprint Cup, Indy Car,

and Champ Series races

Under federal law, it’s a felony to interfere with,

manipulate, or defeat a drone while it’s in flight. Sta-

diums, arenas, and event organizers must put in action

a detection program to capture information before a

drone enters their property. Otherwise, their patrons

may find a drone above their heads at the exact mo-

ment their eyes should be on the game or show.

STADIUMS, ARENAS AND PUBLIC EVENTS

Despite these rules, drone pilots routinely fly over stadiums and events, subjecting themselves to

legal recourse if they are caught. Stadiums, arenas, and public events experienced multiple drone

incidents firsthand in the second half of 2017, and were affected by following activities:

Drone operators around stadiums and arenas will continue to ignore laws,

whether unintentionally or maliciously. Stadium and arena personnel want to

catch a pilot before they even approach the stadium and threaten the safety of

their patrons, and not find out about an intrusion after the fact. With permanent

installations of drone detection, their facilities are protected day and night.

Additionally, event organizers who have temporary operations must also prepare

for the same threats at the onset of planning, and determine how mobile drone

detection units need to be incorporated to ensure smooth operations.

Top Drone Incidents and Interruptions for Stadiums, Arenas and Public Events

→ Drone pilot arrested after dropping pamphlets over multiple stadiums: The pilot was

charged with violating a municipal ordinance, and the FAA is also investigating because the

agency implements temporary no fly zones over every National Football League game. Addi-

tionally, the flight took place in the vicinity of the takeoff and landing approach to San Jose

International Airport, which was active at the time of the incident.

→ Man Charged with Reckless Endangerment, Criminal Trespassing After Flying Drone Over

Music Festival: Tens of thousands of concert-goers were in attendance at one of the U.S.’s

largest music festivals when a police department helicopter pilot spotted a drone flying over

the crowds. When the pilot was located, and police approached him, he fled the scene in his

car. Police were able to follow and apprehend him, and press charges.

→ Drone Pilot Posts Game Footage to YouTube After Illegally Filming Sports Game: A drone

pilot was spotted hovering over a University of Colorado football game. The pilot posted his

footage to YouTube, which helped investigators locate him. A university spokesperson shared

that security personnel were not sure how long the drone was over the stadium, but that it

eventually flew off.

CONCLUSION

STADIUMS, ARENAS AND PUBLIC EVENTS 15

AIRSPACE SECURITY REPORT 16

Corporations and enterprises

invest significant financial resources to secure their

property and ensure the safety of their intellectual

property and employees. Drones are coming to work

in record numbers, being used for property surveil-

lance, to assess infrastructure and monitor progress

on projects. However, enterprises are now facing a

new threats, which are vulnerabilities and gaps in

security in their lower airspace.

Enterprises are preparing for various type of intru-

sions. Drones carry threatening payloads including

spying cameras, network sniffers, IoT hacking devices,

and sensitive microphones. Different areas of a single

facility may need customized protections, whether

it’s an executive briefing center, customer entrance

with an ATM, a data center, or research and develop-

ment laboratory. Enterprises protecting sensitive

infrastructure, such as a water treatment facility,

could also experience catastrophic interruptions from

a mysterious payload drop, whether it’s a chemical,

weapon, or other mysterious package.

ENTERPRISES

Few protections exist for enterprises to prevent drone intrusions, and before enterprises can

put together a security program to mitigate risks, company leaders must first gain situational

awareness and determine how many drones are entering their airspace. Many organizations jump

into standard operating procedures and mitigation, but they can’t do any of that until they first

understand if drones are entering their airspace without permission, and when these intrusions are

occurring.

Drone detection systems provide an early warning of an approaching drone and

geo-positioning, to give enterprise security personnel time to deploy a security

measure. This technology can also help identify the pilot and store information

to be used as forensic evidence to support any future legal investigations. Before

any of this can occur, an enterprise must first understand the risks to their

airspace and then understand how detection systems can be integrated into an

existing security program.

Top Drone Incidents and Interruptions for Enterprises

→ Despite crackdown, there’s a new Apple Park drone video: Throughout 2017, several drone

operators filmed Apple’s new headquarters construction progress, and posting the videos

online and on news sites. The company declared the area a “no-fly zone.” However, the area

is not designated a no-fly zone under Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations,

meaning Apple doesn’t actually have the authority to tell drone operators to do this. Apple

hired security guards for adjacent sites to warn unauthorized pilots not to fly their drones over

the company’s new headquarters. Despite this investment in new security personnel, their

problems persisted.

→ Drones spying on employees raises legal and ethical problems: Cameras on drones watch and

record all sorts of processes for employers, from monitoring large areas, employee productiv-

ity and surveying property for security breaches. An employer may have a hovering eye in the

sky for their own use, but also must protect the privacy of their employees. Lawsuits brought

on by employees against drone spying by employers have been successfully fought and won.

An employer without knowledge of drone activity in their airspace opens a dragnet of new

legal issues, including cybersecurity and hacking threats and compromised employee privacy.

CONCLUSION

ENTERPRISES 17

AIRSPACE SECURITY REPORT 18

Few protections exist for

individuals when it comes to drone intrusions on

their property. Home ownership does not equate to

airspace ownership. In many countries such as the

United States, the federal government has exclusive

sovereignty of airspace. Laws are evolving as more

drone incidents occur, such as a regulation passed in

2015 by the State of California, changing the defi-

nition of a “physical invasion of privacy” to include

sending a drone into the airspace to make a recording

or take a photo.

Unlike land trespassing, where landowners have

rights to defend their safety, airspace protection

hasn’t been adequately defined by current laws. It is

a federal crime to interfere with or destroy a drone,

even if it is hovering over a person’s private property.

This limitation requires homeowners to take a pro-

active, offensive approach to protecting themselves

against drone threats, by incorporating drone detec-

tion and airspace security programs into their existing

security ecosystem.

PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND NEIGHBOR- HOODS

Drones are not just flown by neighbors and friends in nearby parks, but also by enterprises looking

to capitalize on private moments and innovate for the future of drone delivery. Amazon patented

a technology that captures data on a property’s characteristics to make a recommended destina-

tion for a delivery. By marking the home’s roof, driveway, windows, landscaping and other outdoor

property like cars and bikes, a recommendation may be generated. It’s unclear how this data will be

used outside of providing safe deliveries. Private individuals experienced multiple drone incidents

firsthand in the second half of 2017, and were affected by following activities:

No private island, resort, yacht, or property is immune to drone interruptions,

and it is the responsibility of individuals and their personal security teams to

ensure the families and VIPs they are protecting are not being seen or spied upon

from unreachable heights.

Top Drone Incidents and Interruptions for Private Individuals

→ Kentucky Governor can’t keep journalists away from his home: Governor Matt Bevin

observed drones above his home and saw footage on the news in the following days. He

accused multiple news stations of filming and capturing unauthorized footage of his family.

→ Man charged after drone hovers outside of high rise: A Chicago man faces misdemeanor

criminal charges after a woman observed his drone flying outside her 42nd floor condo. After

being taken into custody, he was charged with criminal trespass, reckless conduct and breach

of peace. The device had a camera attached to it and was “hovering in the area for a long peri-

od of time, without consent from building management,” according to the police.

→ Vatican terror alert: Drones feared to be loaded with ISIS bombs fly over Pope’s city: A tourist

took drone aerial footage of headquarters of the Catholic Church and the Pantheon, the fa-

mous former Roman temple which attracts more than six million visitors every year. The area

is a strict no-fly zone, and when a drone was spotted, security officials scrambled to locate

the pilot and ensure the safety of the area.

→ Filmmaker’s drone smashes into waterfront home: Australian television film crew lost

control of their drone, resulting in a crash into the bedroom window of a homeowner. The

homeowner was compensated for damages.

CONCLUSION

PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND NEIGHBORHOODS 19

For any military, a drone in the sky may be a hobby

pilot who inadvertently went off track, or could be an

active threat to national security. Military operations

must go beyond the visual line of sight and use proac-

tive drone detection as a part of their force protection

posture. All military security personnel agree that a

vigilant eye in the sky is not enough to locate com-

mercial drones and provide identifying data to find the

pilot, flight path, and type of drone. This information

is critical for military security personnel to assess

threats, divert operations, and protect their base.

Drone threats are not just at combat zones or military

bases. Traveling operations, such as warships and

aircraft carriers, not only need to know about the

security risks of where they are docking, but also have

eyes in the sky when they are close to enemy territory.

Aerial views of military vessels will expose training

exercises, show personnel rotation patterns, and

help locate vulnerabilities. Data collected from drone

detection systems can be integrated into intelligence

briefs, informing armed forces of vulnerabilities be-

fore they reach their destination. Pilots flying military

aircraft flying from country to country, or troops

entering different regions for training exercises or

deployments, will have a stronger understanding of

airspace activity before they reach their destination.

Terrorist drone threats are well established overseas

where ISIS and other adversaries regularly weaponize

drones, use them for hostile surveillance, and where

they are used for hacking. In September 2017, U.S.

FBI Director Christopher Wray and National Coun-

terterrorism Center Director Nicholas Rasmussen

testified to the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and

Governmental Affairs Committee panel in October

regarding the rise of drone terrorism. Wray explained,

“I think that the expectation is that it is coming here,

imminently. Two years ago, this was not a problem. A

year ago, this was an emerging problem. Now it’s a real

problem.”

DEFENSE AND DRONE TERRORISM UPDATE

AIRSPACE SECURITY REPORT 20

DEFENSE AND DRONE TERRORISM UPDATE 21

Dedrone is front and center with a detection system to not only provide situational awareness

for military personnel, but give them warning of approaching drone threats. We’ve had the priv-

ilege to work directly with the U.S. Military this year to develop unprecedented research to un-

derstand airspace threats at military installations. Drones are here to stay, and whether a drone

is utilized for entertainment, commercial use or terrorist activities, there are no barriers in our

airspace to prevent them from entering critical airspace. We can only rely on proactive defense

solutions, led by the Dedrone platform.

U.S. Department of Defense Respond to Domestic Drone Threats with New Defense Authorizations The United States Department of Defense recently enacted a rule allowing military operations

to defend themselves against drones outside of active combat zones. This decision is in direct

response to multiple sightings of commercial drones near military facilities but does not recog-

nize the technologies needed to detect drones and protect military airspace. Drone incidents are

increasing, both from enemy combatants and hobby pilots who aren’t aware of the risks they’re

creating. Proactive detection is the missing element to securing military airspace, and a critical

element to integrate into the existing arsenal of detection and defense technologies already in

place.

Unfortunately, the threat is not limited solely to bad actors. Well intentioned operators and

those who are simply ignorant of the danger their actions may cause are as great, if not greater

a threat to military and civilian operations. Recognition of the threats to fixed bases and posts

within and outside of the United States and the subsequent policy and solutions to address them

has been much slower; however, the threat increases daily. Read for example, “How A Small

Drone Nearly Collided With An F-22 Raptor” or “Army Confirms Black Hawk, Drone Collided Over

New York City”.

Washington, D.C. Military Installation and Dedrone Conduct Testing to Assess Airspace ThreatsIn April 2017, the FAA tightly restricted drone operations over 133 U.S. military bases, and de-

spite this,, drone interruptions continued. As a result of this increase in domestic disruptions to

military airspace, Dedrone and the leaders at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, a D.C. military

installation, and home to Arlington National Cemetery, conducted a 56-day test at two different

areas on the base. JBM-HH agreed to allow Dedrone to install a Radio Frequency (RF) Sensor at

the National Defense University on Fort McNair to monitor the airspace and collect data on drone

detections. After collecting data for 26 days at Fort McNair, Dedrone relocated the RF Sensor to

Fort Myer and collected data for an additional 30 days. At Fort McNair the system recorded 52

drone detections, and at Fort Myer, the system recorded 43 additional detections.

The Pentagon’s official publication, the Pentagram, discussed the outcomes of the research.

According to JBM-HH Commander Col. Patrick M. Duggan, drones are an “existential national

problem, long overdue for a solution,” and warned the Department of Defense that “it’s only a

matter of time before drones will be used to carry chemicals, explosives, small arms or kamikaze

into a facility, person or throng of crowds on a military base. The clock is ticking, and we don’t

want to wait until it’s too late.”

Read more about Dedrone and JBM-HH’s research:

• CNBC: “Unauthorized drones are buzzing a Washington, D.C. military base

twice a day, study finds”

• The Pentagram: “Detection program finds drones over joint base”

With a growing number of drone sightings and incidents in and around military bases, it is clear

that until solutions are implemented that provide situational awareness of drone in the lower

airspace over and around military bases, priority resources, facilities and people remain vulnera-

ble to the drone threat overhead.

TEST

FORT MCNAIR

52 DRONES IN

26-DAYS

FORT MYER

43 DRONES IN

30-DAYS

“The clock

is ticking,

and we

don’t want

to wait

until it’s

too late.”Col. Patrick M. Duggan, Commander, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall

DEFENSE AND DRONE TERRORISM UPDATE 22

FORT MYER 1,43 drones / day

FORT McNAIR 2 drones / day

WASHINGTON D.C.

Lawmakers and regulators across the globe are moving quickly to integrate laws to protect the

rights of drone operators and the safety of the public. They also are evaluating new risks that

drones pose to international airspace. Laws can be circumvented by motivated pilots looking

to cause disruptions or harm, or by unprepared or unskilled pilots who are not aware of the

risks their flights pose. Laws help inform and guide property managers, but it’s up to security

personnel to proactively protect their airspace from unknown drone risks.

FAA Marks One Year Anniversary of Small Unmanned Aircraft Rule (Part 107)In September, the FAA released a statement benchmarking progress from the first year of imple-

menting Part 107. During the first year of Part 107, over 80,000 drones were registered with the

FAA for commercial and governmental purposes and over 60,000 people obtained a Remote Pilot

Certificate to operate a drone for commercial purposes. Groundbreaking waivers were granted

to organizations like CNN Air, who became the first to establish authorizations to fly drones over

crowds of people for filming, as well as closed-set filming. Additionally, in support of drone use

for first responders and disaster recovery efforts, the FAA issued 127 authorizations for drone

operations for search and rescue missions, damage assessment, and media coverage. By 2021, the

FAA estimates there could be up to 1.6 million small drones being used in commercial operations.

Hotly Contested Hobby Drone Registration Rules Re-Emerge in CongressIn December 2015, the FAA announced that owners of recreational drones weighing between

250 grams and 55 pounds would have to register their aircraft with the FAA before making their

first outdoor flight. Many hobby drone operators objected to this rule, citing it was intrusion into

their right to fly. The Washington, D.C. Circuit Court (Taylor v. Huerta) agreed, and, invalidated this

requirement in May, and the FAA had to reimburse hobby pilots of their registration fee. In No-

vember, U.S. Congress passed the defense policy bill, National Defense Authorization Act, which

restored the drone-registration requirement for model aircraft operators. A registration number

would be issued to drone pilots to display on their aircraft, and the certificate can be printed out

or displayed on an electronic device as proof of registration.

Pentagon Responds to Drone Threats With New Defense Authorizations for Military OperationsRogue drones came at a significant cost and security risk to military personnel, who watched

drones enter their airspace but lacked the authority to defend themselves. Federal regulators

came together to quickly implement a smart policy that would protect civilian airspace, without

interrupting military operations. After an outcry from military leaders, and a slew of dangerous,

near-miss incidents, the Department of Defense finally responded with a solution in August

2017, which addressed this gap in policy and granted the ability for military operations to defend

themselves against rogue drones. See also: Military Asset Protection Act (H.R.1968).

AIRSPACE SECURITY REPORT 23

DRONE REGULATORYAND LEGAL NEWS ROUNDUP

The Drone Operator Safety Act of 2017 (H.R.3644/S.1755)In light of multiple aircraft collisions, and personal injury caused by drones, this bill would make it a criminal

offense to fly a drone in a way that poses a safety risk to the operation of a manned aircraft. It would also

prohibit operators from flying drones near an airport’s runways without permission from the airport’s air

traffic control tower. Violators would be subject to a fine and / or prison time.

U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Creates and Issues First “Significant Rulemaking Report” to Follow Progress of Drone-Related LegislationIn August 2017, the DOD published the Significant Rulemaking Report, the first such report released under

the Trump administration. The report, updated monthly, provides a summary and the status for all significant

rulemakings that DOT currently has pending or has issued recently. It is designed to inform the public regard-

ing its regulatory activities. Currently, there are three drone rules on the docket which the DOT is monitoring:

• FAA Proposed Rule on Operations of Small Unmanned Aircraft Over People: This rulemaking would

address the performance-based standards and means-of-compliance for operation of small UAS over

people not directly participating in the operation or not under a covered structure or inside a station-

ary vehicle that can provide reasonable protection from a falling small unmanned aircraft. Projected

publication date: 02/28/2018

• FAA Final Rule on Registration and Marking Requirements for Small Unmanned Aircraft: This rule-

making would provide an alternative, streamlined and simple, web-based aircraft registration process

for the registration of small unmanned aircraft, including small unmanned aircraft operated as model

aircraft, to facilitate compliance with the statutory requirement that all aircraft register prior to

operation. It would also provide a simpler method for marking small unmanned aircraft that is more

appropriate for these aircraft. Projected publication date: 2/26/18

• FAA Rulemaking on Unmanned Aircraft Systems Expanded Operations: This rulemaking would enable

expanded operations of small unmanned aircraft systems in the national airspace system (NAS). Pro-

jected publication date: TBD

Additional Notable Proposed U.S. Federal Legislation:

• Safe DRONE Act of 2017 S.1410: Also known as the “Safe Development, Research, and Opportunities

Needed for Entrepreneurship Act,” this bill will further the development of unmanned aircraft system

technology through investing in additional research, building a trained workforce, and establishing

working groups to address near-term and long-term challenges, and for other purposes.

• FLIGHT R&D Act H.R.3198: The bill amends the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 to revise re-

quirements with respect to the FAA’s five-year roadmap for the introduction of civil unmanned aircraft

systems (drones) into the national airspace system.

• Aeronautics Innovation Act H.R.3033: Appropriates funding for NASA to continue to develop and test

unmanned aircraft system traffic management systems, and supports Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Operation Program.

• Drone Innovation Act of 2017 H.R. 2930: Will develop a “a civil unmanned aircraft policy framework,

a pilot program, and for other purposes,” to protect public safety, personal privacy, property rights,

managing land use and restricting nuisances and noise pollution.

• Drone Federalism Act of 2017 S.1272: A bill to preserve state, local, and tribal authorities and private

property rights with respect to unmanned aircraft systems, and for other purposes.

• No Armed Drones Act of 2017 H.R. 129: Prohibition to prevent the use of an unmanned aircraft system

as a weapon while operating in the national airspace system.

DRONE REGULATORY AND LEGAL NEWS ROUNDUP 24

Throughout 2017, dozens of new laws and regulations entered the U.S. federal legislation conver-

sation, such as the SAFE Drone Act, expansion of the FAA rules for drone pilots, and court activity

supporting pilot rights. Innumerable regulations have been drafted, debated and implemented in

state and local governments, enabling local law enforcement to take direct action against pilots

who fly recklessly or unlawfully. The year 2017 built a foundation of legal framework for pilots,

but law enforcement and regulators are still working out how to implement them and encourage

compliance. Drone manufacturers and technologies have taken note of this gap between regula-

tion and enforcement. For example, in the second half of 2017, drone manufacturer DJI unveiled

AeroScope, which broadcasts identification information such as a registration or serial number,

as well as basic telemetry, including location, altitude, speed and direction to police, security

agencies, aviation authorities and other authorized parties. Innovations such as AeroScope vali-

date the urgency for federal regulators to understand their airspace activity.

Our 2018 prediction: Regulators will be presented with data, such as flight paths, flight times,

and location data, from manufacturers and third party detection systems to understand where

and how pilots breach restricted or critical airspace. Drone pilots will turn to create homemade

solutions to circumvent detection from government regulators. A game of cat-and-mouse will

continue as governments react to new drone incidents and create laws to protect infrastruc-

ture and citizens. Drone manufacturers and governments will have to work with each other, and

not against each other, to ensure pilots understand the risks of their flights and accept the legal

consequences if they violate regulations.

AIRSPACE SECURITY REPORT 25

Drone manufacturers and DIY

drone enthusiasts will continue

evade and outpace regulators.

1

PREDICTIONS AND ANALYSIS OF DRONE DETECTION AND SECURITY FOR 2018

Addressing our First Half 2017 Predictions

In our first edition of the Airspace Security Insights Report, we addressed four emerging topic

areas to watch for the latter half of 2017. Here is how these issues have progressed:

DRONE SECURITY INSIGHTS REPORT 26

The most pressing question when assessing airspace risks is, “how many drones are in the air-

space?” In 2017, aircraft pilots made visual contact, correctional facilities saw contraband drops,

and stadiums watched online videos of their games online from drone cameras. Without detec-

tion technology, drones may only be seen after they breach critical airspace, and far beyond any

opportunity for a facility to deploy a security measure. Researchers and regulators are taking

note and benchmarking drone interruptions, such as with the new FAA UAS Sightings Report.

Our 2018 prediction: Eyesight will not be enough to detect a drone. Drone detection technology

will increasingly be deployed by militaries, enterprises, and private individuals, further deepening

the understanding of airspace risks and making a more accurate determination of the number

of drones within a protected area. Proactive drone detection that is consistent with applicable

laws is used as a diagnostic tool, building intelligence around the scope and problem by auditing

airspace, and then translating that information into augmenting security protocols.

As new drone incidents occurred across different industries, security and risk managers have

continued to add anecdotal evidence to the present threat of rogue drones. New losses and

claims are emerging from individuals and organizations who have had damage done to their

property. Legal precedents are emerging, such as with wrongful death when a drone interrupts

medical intervention (such as force landing an air ambulance). Property owners have a general

duty to protect their guests from foreseeable harm, and this now includes airspace activity.

Our 2018 prediction: 2018 will reveal larger lawsuits to recoup losses due to damage caused by

negligent drone pilots.

Drone operators were arrested and cited for unlawful activity in the second half of 2017 for injur-

ing others and interrupting critical airspace activity. Most notably, citations were involved with

interrupting disaster responders during wildfires. Criminal charges will only become more com-

mon and more advanced. Especially during emergencies, local governments need for proactive

detection programs to not only understand the threats to their airspace, but also avoid ceasing

operations due to an unknown drone pilot.

Our 2018 prediction: The arrests, citations, and charges against unlawful drone pilots will inform

insurers and litigators on how to expand lawsuits. Unlawful drone pilots will accept increasingly

severe civil and criminal penalties.

In addition to monitoring the above, 2018 will open up new conversations related to pilot rights, data collection, defense, cybersecurity, personal pro-tection, among a plethora of security issues.

New data will inform insurance

companies and define the direc-

tion of new drone damage and

protection programs.

Local governments will increas-

ingly enforce anti-drone meas-

ures, and there will be an increase

in criminal and civil legal actions

against pilots who enter unau-

thorized airspace.

3

4

New methods of data collection

will further inform the previously

unknown risks to unregulated

airspace.

2

PREDICTIONS AND ANALYSIS OF DRONE DETECTION AND SECURITY FOR 2018 26

Addressing our First Half 2017 Predictions

PREDICTIONS AND ANALYSIS OF DRONE DETECTION AND SECURITY FOR 2018 27

Our 2018 predictions

Financial institutions have cameras in every direction of an ATM to protect the safety of their

customers. Data centers have multiple security checkpoints to ensure authorized access to sen-

sitive infrastructure. Corporations invest billions in creating cyberinfrastructure to protect their

assets and customers. One thing they share is vulnerable airspace, and drones are being designed

to pinpoint sensitive information like PIN numbers, identify and follow targets to observe securi-

ty gaps, and accurately detect and manipulate vulnerable networks.

In 2017, drones interrupted international football games, U.S. baseball, tennis, and other sports

matches. Drones flew in artistic formations to celebrate the 2017 U.S. Super Bowl and will be a

feature once again on the international stage at the 2018 Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

Other major sporting events, such as FIFA World Cup, Wimbledon, NASCAR, and Indianapolis

500 will be deploying airspace security protocols to prevent activity interruption and protect

spectators.

Players like Amazon, Google, Walmart, Alibaba, DHL, and UPS are making massive investments

into the space of drone delivery and the associated UAS traffic management systems (UTM).

Amazon has been developing new patents for drone delivery programs, including floating

warehouses, special drone-equipped scanners to target delivery locations, and self-destructing

drones. Google is perfecting the challenge of hot food delivery. Companies like Zipline are pro-

viding medical supplies by drone to disaster-stricken areas. In 2017, BVLOS tests were expanding

in rural areas like New York’s drone testing corridor. In 2018, the FAA is expected to provide new

drone delivery rules, which could expand testing and encourage technology to go through beta

phases to general market. Corporations leading drone innovations will have to differentiate be-

tween approved and rogue drones on their operations, and communities involved with the first

commercial deployment of these drone technologies will face more private security challenges.

As more tracking technologies emerge for drone use, so does the opportunity to manipulate and

hack into this data. Mainstream drone manufacturers will continue to grapple with cybersecu-

rity threats, and while there is a balance between providing a convenient, off-the-shelf product

for hobbyists, those who want to customize their drone further are now questioning if required

geofencing technologies are helpful or harmful. Pilots looking to secure their private data,

whether to protect their privacy or disguise nefarious activities, will continue to fight for their

civil rights. Proactive detection technology is the only way to ensure a rogue drone does not

interfere with NFZ and protected airspace.

Cybersecurity threats will ad-

vance and become more preva-

lent due to drones using hacking

software, and their ability to

swiftly infiltrate sensitive air-

space.

Major public events, specifically

sporting events, will attract ama-

teur pilots to follow and film, and

risk the safety of the public.

Beta drone programs utilizing Be-

yond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS)

technology will shift to general

use applications, adding more

drones to the airspace and chal-

lenging the definition of airspace

command & control.

Pilots will challenge commercial

drone manufacturers to protect

their private flight data and per-

sonal security.

1

2

3

4

DRONE SECURITY INSIGHTS REPORT 28

Dedrone is the market and technology leader in airspace security. The Dedrone platform combines hardware

sensors and machine-learning software, providing early warning, classification of, and mitigation against

all drone threats. Based in San Francisco, Dedrone was founded in 2014 and is backed by investors including

Felicis Ventures, Menlo Ventures, and John Chambers, former CEO of Cisco Systems.

The following is a brief review of Dedrone company news and announcements for the second half of 2017.

Dedrone Launches Next Generation of Machine-Learning

Software to Counter Malicious Drones

The Dedrone team launched the next generation software upgrade, DroneTracker 3. DroneTracker is the in-

dustry’s first airspace security solution that includes automated summary reporting for instant diagnosis of

drone airspace activity. DroneTracker 3 brings significant enhancements for customers including:

• Automated summary reporting, enabling security personnel to instantaneously assess and analyze

drone threats

• Enterprise-grade security and management, allowing for multi-user management and seamless inte-

gration into existing security programs

• Increased simplification of platform set up, creating an intuitive and quick-to-deploy system

Together, these updates and improvements make the Dedrone solution the most reliable and accurate plat-

form for drone detection and classification.

AIRSPACE SECURITY REPORT 28

DEDRONE NEWS

Dedrone Celebrates Opening of Washington, D.C. Operations

with Local Leaders, Customers and Team Members

Dedrone celebrated the opening of our third office, Located in Sterling, VA. This office will be focusing on our

work with federal government agencies and the Department of Defense. Our operation is fully equipped with

the Dedrone platform and will be an official testing site for our technology, as well as a demo center. The

office is managed under the leadership of Vice President of Technology, David Prantl, and Federal Business

Development Lead, Philip Pitsky.

Dedrone Expands Federal Development Team with Retention of

Lieutenant General Keith Walker, U.S. Army, Retired

Lieutenant General Keith Walker, US Army (Retired), joined Dedrone as

Strategic Advisor. Together, Walker and Dedrone will work with U.S. and

international government agencies to protect military and civilian opera-

tions from drone threats.

He will be based out of Dedrone’s Washington, D.C. area office. Walker is

the President at K.C. Walker & Associates, where he serves as a business

development and leader development advisor to several firms.

During his 38 years of government service, Walker held leadership positions in U.S. Army, Joint, and Combined

Forces, including thirteen years in operational assignments with U.S. partners in Kuwait, Kosovo, Bosnia, Bel-

gium, and Germany. His career culminated as Director of the Army Capabilities Integration Center, where he

developed, evaluated, and integrated concepts, requirements, and solutions to provide the Army capabilities

needed for joint and multinational operations worldwide. Walker received an MBA from Harvard University

and BS from United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.

DRONE SECURITY INSIGHTS REPORT 30DEDRONE NEWS 30

New Partnerships

Dedrone Announces Alliance with Leading Global

Technology Integrator, World Wide Technology

By aligning with Dedrone’s platform, WWT gains access to the world’s most ad-

vanced airspace security toolkit. WWT’s dedicated technology integration and in-

novation labs and engineers can now provide their global customers with a product

to further strengthen their cyber and physical security programs to include airspace

security and anti-drone technology.

In addition to their alliance, Dedrone’s drone detection solution will be featured in

WWT’s Advanced Technology Center (ATC) at their St. Louis headquarters. Dedrone

customers can test any proposed deployment of their solution to arrive at the right

configuration before it is installed, ensuring a seamless and successful integration

into their existing security program.

Battelle’s DroneDefender™ Joins Forces

with Dedrone

Dedrone and Battelle, a leading defense industry researcher, development and

technology manufacturer, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore

ways to create an end-to-end detect and defeat solution to protect military and

government airspace. Battelle’s DroneDefender is the first man-portable, accurate,

and easy-to-use system to provide critical security protection.

DEDRONE NEWS 31

2017 Awards and Recognitions

San Francisco Business Times

Tech & Innovation Award

The San Francisco Business Times celebrates the brightest innovators and organizations in the

local tech community, and awarded Dedrone at a dedicated ceremony for recipients and with

a feature article, available here. Previous winners have included Slack, Salesforce, Zenefits,

TaskRabbit, DocuSign, among other startups who have risen the ranks within their industries, and

become tech titans.

German American Business Association

“Rising Star” Award

The German American Business Association (GABA) is a non-profit organization that fosters

transatlantic knowledge-sharing and networking among German-American and Californian

business and tech communities. They awarded Dedrone their annual “Rising Stars” award, a

dedication to the company’s German leadership and ability to scale the business from a Kassel,

Germany-based company to a thriving startup based in San Francisco.

American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS) Accolades

Security’s Best Award

ASIS International is the leading organization for security professionals worldwide. Dedrone was

awarded their 2017 Accolades Award at their annual conference, judged on elements including

level of innovation, unique attributes, and the benefit the product or service brings to the secu-

rity industry.

DRONE SECURITY INSIGHTS REPORT 32

Global Footprint

Dedrone team members exhibited, presented and participated in the

following conferences in the second half of 2017:

• VDI Drone Industry Conference - Civil Drones 2017:

Frankfurt, Germany

• National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security

Annual Conference (NCS4), Orlando, Florida

• ADS Warrior East: Washington, D.C.

• The Air Force Information Technology & Cyberpower

Conference (AFITC): Montgomery, Alabama

• Interdrone: Las Vegas, Nevada

• American Society for Industrial Security International (ASIS):

Dallas, Texas

• Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) Annual Conference:

Washington, D.C.

• IT Security Expo & Congress: Nuremberg, Germany

• Smart City Expo World Congress: Barcelona, Spain

• International Security Conference & Exposition (ISC) East:

New York, New York

• OilComm, Houston, Texas

CONCLUSION

“Technology can solve some of the most complex safety and security challenges we’re facing,”

shared FAA Director Michael Huerta during a drone industry conference. Successfully blending unmanned

aircraft into busy airspace will require cooperation between innovators, government regulators and the

citizens they serve. Drone operators fly for fun, for their businesses, or for malicious purposes. Regardless

of the intention or destination for their flight, it’s up to corporations, militaries, and individuals to decide

how they want to protect their airspace.

Outside of protecting the physical and cybersecurity of critical infrastructures, such as military bases,

stadiums, and correctional facilities, drones are also entering highly populated airspace and interrupting

first responders and passenger flights. Huerta continues with another speech, “As drone flights over

people become more and more commonplace, imagine the challenge of a local police officer at a parade

trying to determine which drones are properly there to photograph the festivities – and which may be

operated by individuals with more sinister purposes.” Corporations such as Amazon and Google are enter-

ing commercial airspace through beta programs for package delivery, adding questions and concerns on

who will be managing the airspace and how they will monitor drone traffic. Drone detection technology

has never been more urgent to diagnose the number of drones in the air, and to ensure drone traffic is

authorized.

By incorporating proactive drone detection technology into an existing security system, organizations

and individuals are empowered and enabled to understand when their airspace is at risk. While drones are

providing positive contributions to society such as through entertainment, search and rescue, and inspec-

tion, private and public companies must be willing to use counter drone technology to prevent losses and

protect infrastructure and people.

AIRSPACE SECURITY REPORT 33

DRONE SECURITY INSIGHTS REPORT 34

Global Headquarters

1099 Folsom St

San Francisco, CA 94123

For more information, visit www.dedrone.com

Contact us at: Dedrone Inquiries

© 2018 Dedrone

Published January 2018

Germany

Miramstraße 87

34123 Kassel

Washington, D.C.

45662 Terminal Dr. #100

Sterling, VA

AIRSPACE SECURITY REPORT YEAR END 2017