Guest Editorial By Jackson Markey, Enterprise Sales Manager at Dedrone 

It’s a mystery that made international headlines and remains unsolved more than four years on.

On a brisk Wednesday evening in December of 2018, a London Gatwick employee spotted two drones hovering in the facilities: one above a vehicle and another by a perimeter fence.

The sighting sparked a two-day shutdown of the London airport’s only runway, costing airlines nearly $64.5 million in losses. Officials still have no idea who is to blame.

(Thousands of passengers have seen their flights from Gatwick Airport cancelled after two drones were spotted flying over the airfield within a 12-hour period. Courtesy of BBC News and YouTube. Posted on Dec 20, 2018.)

It’s safe to say, unauthorized drones and airports do not mix. Gatwick is just one of several airports to attract headlines over drone intrusions, citing safety concerns and chaos at the check-in desks.

To ensure they aren’t the next front-page story, airports around the world are adding counter-drone technology into their security arsenal and expanding their drone-related standard operating procedures (SOPs).

But there is so much more to drone defense than simply installing smart airspace security systems.

Airport security leaders must apply insights and intelligence from the airspace security solution to gain the most value from their system and create effective SOPs.

These guidelines inform security personnel on how to respond before, during, and after a drone incursion.

Airport Airspace Security in Action 

Airports should begin their airspace security journey with the installation of a comprehensive risk assessment to create a data-driven baseline of airspace activity. From this point, airport security can create its own standard operating procedures (SOPs) based on its specific threat profile.

After collecting baseline intelligence and insights on drone activity at an airport, security managers can take a three-tiered approach to develop the appropriate response protocols based on the threat level detected.

(Learn More about unauthorized drone threats from Dedrone, a market leader in smart airspace security, protecting people, property, and information against unauthorized and malicious drones. Courtesy of Dedrone and Vimeo.)

Step 1: Define Threat Tiers  

Many airports must first define what sort of drone incursion would require a response, and how to categorize the level of threat. For example: 

• Low Threat: Drone is detected well outside the outer airport perimeter 

• Medium Threat: Drone is located near airport perimeter or near takeoff/approach paths

• High Threat: Drone is persistent, causing an immediate and substantial risk to airport operations, is weaponized, or a drone swarm (two or more drones simultaneously) are detected

Step 2: Allocate Appropriate Resources

Security managers should develop and test drone response protocols and build a UAS Response Team during “blue sky” conditions – before any drone appears in the airspace. For example:

• Connect with local law enforcement and federal agencies like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), European Union Aviation Safety, and UK Civil Aviation Authority, to determine any cross-coordination required to respond to a drone threat

• Launch local “No Drone Zone” awareness campaigns and deploy signage at parks and other public locations nearby

(Do you think your company is safe? Drones are the perfect industrial spies. They are small, they are fast and they can go everywhere. Company security generally focuses on the security at ground level. In most cases authorized people don’t realize if and how often drones enter a company’s airspace. The drone detection system DroneTracker warns security forces as soon as a drone flies over the fence. That way further measures such as seizing landed drones, covering documents, closing shutters or veiling prototypes can be triggered. Courtesy of Dedrone and Vimeo.)

Step 3: Incident Preparedness in Accordance with Threat:

Define, rehearse, test, deploy resources – learn how much time it takes to respond in an emergency – and continue to develop UAS response protocols. Incident response should correspond to the threat level. For example:

• Low Threat: Notify proper personnel (SOC, Security, TSA, FAA, local law enforcement) and document details (timestamp, description of UAS, location, altitude, direction of travel, any evasive action by drone)

• Medium Threat: Execute protocols consistent with threat AND coordinate with ATC Tower regarding possible deviations of flight operations, notify Operations Manager, Public Relations, and activate Mass Notification (ie. AtHoc Warning System (AWS) and/or Everbridge).

  • If within airport jurisdiction, deploy security personnel to locate the pilot.

  • If not, coordinate with the jurisdiction and consider arrest.

  • If UAS is found on the ground without a pilot, execute protocols for information gathering and documentation (SD Card, Serial Number, etc.).

• High Threat: Follow all protocols associated with Low and Medium Threats AND exhaust all resources to identify and detain the UAS pilot.

  • Establish Unified Command with Local/Federal resources and ATC Tower to alter flights or air traffic movements. Consider runway closures.

  • Inform airport stakeholders. Employ your own drones once airport operations have halted to expedite the search for the UAS pilot.

Step 4: Prepare for future drone threats through risk mitigation 

Analytics are essential for predicting, preparing, and preventing future drone incursions, as documenting post-event learnings in after-action reports (AARs). Airspace security intelligence and insights will provide drone “hotspots,” or likely areas where drone pilots initiate their flight, as well as popular times of day and days of the week.

Drone detection equipment assists in creating predictive analytics and streamlines efforts to locate drones and pilots.

(See a brief demonstration of Dedrone’s software, DroneTracker, which detects, classifies, locates, and when authorized for use, mitigates drones. DroneTracker automatically synthesizes sensor data and provides immediate alerts of unauthorized drone activity, enabling security providers to safeguard their premises. Courtesy of Dedrone and Vimeo.)

While drones have become essential tools for many, they are also capable of far more nefarious activities if controlled by malicious actors.

Without any way to determine the drone’s operator’s intentions, aviation organizations are vulnerable to a myriad of risks, including surveillance, spying, network infiltration, and more.

Few protections exist to prevent these intrusions, and ground security is not enough to protect high-risk airspace. The cost of a drone-based shutdown can be significant.

To conclude, I want to say don’t be the next airport making headlines! Installing smart airspace security systems is only the first step to prevent shutdowns.

Airport security leaders must then apply insights and intelligence from that airspace security solution to gain the most value from their system and create effective SOPs.

About the Author

To Learn More about Dedrone and Smart Airspace Security, please visit www.dedrone.com.

Dedrone Takes Platinum in Aviation Security Solution 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program

American Security Today’s Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program, and now entering its Seventh Year, continues to recognize industry leaders of Physical and Border Security, Cybersecurity, Emergency Preparedness – Management and Response, Law Enforcement, First Responders, as well as federal, state and municipal government agencies in the acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to Keep our Nation Secure.

Dedrone

• Best Airport/Aviation Security Solution (Tie**)

• Dedrone

• DedroneTracker counter-drone software, which can be hosted in the cloud or on-premise, uses the DedroneDNA database to recognize and classify RF, WiFi, and non-WiFi drones, plus triggers alerts and countermeasures. 

• DedroneTracker seamlessly integrates with a variety of 3rd-party sensing and threat mitigation technologies, enabling users to customize their platform and meet their specific needs and threat level.

• A major metropolitan city in Southern Europe recently deployed less than a dozen DedroneSensors to detect, track and locate drones and their pilots across the city center.

• The protected area includes internationally renowned tourist destinations, corporate and shopping districts, residential areas, and a port encompassing 50 square kilometers.

• With Dedrone, organizations of all sizes can select and combine best-in-class sensors to personalize their airspace security solutions to protect their vulnerable airspace and effectively address their specific threat profile.

• *Dedrone was also recognized in the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program.

The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards highlight the most cutting-edge and forward-thinking security solutions coming onto the market today, to ensure our readers have the information they need to stay ahead of the competition and keep our Nation safe – one facility, street, and city at a time.

The United States was forever changed 20 years ago on September 11th, and we were fortunate to have many of those who responded to those horrific tragedies join us at the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon.

In the days that followed 9/11, the critical needs of protecting our country catapulted us into new and innovative ways to secure our homeland – which is how many of the agencies and enterprise organizations that are today ‘ASTORS’ Awards Champions, came into being.

Our keynote speaker featured a moving and informative address from TSA Administrator and Vice-Admiral of the United States Coast Guard (Ret), David Pekoske; to our attendees who traveled from across the United States and abroad, on the strategic priorities of the 64,000 member TSA workforce in securing the transportation system, enabling safe, and in many cases, contactless travel.

Legendary Police Commissioner William Bratton of the New York Police Department, the Boston Police Department, and former Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department was also live at the event, meeting with attendees and signing copies of his latest work ‘The Profession: A Memoir of Community, Race, and the Arc of Policing in America,’ courtesy of the generosity of our 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Premier Sponsors.

The 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program was Proudly Sponsored by AMAROK, Fortior Solutions and SIMS Software, along with Returning Premier Sponsors ATI Systems, Attivo Networks, Automatic Systems, and Reed Exhibitions.

Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards at https://americansecuritytoday.com/ast-awards/.

Comprehensive List of Categories Include:

Access Control/ Identification	Personal/Protective Equipment	Law Enforcement Counter Terrorism
Perimeter Barrier/ Deterrent System	Interagency Interdiction Operation	Cloud Computing/Storage Solution
Facial/IRIS Recognition	Body Worn Video Product	Cyber Security
Video Surveillance/VMS	Mobile Technology	Anti-Malware
Audio Analytics	Disaster Preparedness	ID Management
Thermal/Infrared Camera	Mass Notification System	Fire & Safety
Metal/Weapon Detection	Rescue Operations	Critical Infrastructure
License Plate Recognition	Detection Products	COVID Innovations
Workforce Management	Government Security Programs	And Many Others to Choose From!

Don’t see a Direct Hit for your Product, Agency or Organization?

Submit your category recommendation for consideration to Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at: mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.

Why American Security Today?

The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old school basics to what is Today – a fast-changing security landscape.

American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 75,000 readers at the Federal, State, and local levels of government as well as firms allied to the government.

American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that hold readers’ eyes throughout the story with cutting-edge editorial that provides solutions to their challenges.

Harness the Power of the Web – with our 100% Mobile Friendly Publications

AST Digital Publications are distributed to over 75,000 qualified government and homeland security professionals, in federal, state, local, and private security sectors.

‘PROTECTING OUR NATION, ONE CITY AT A TIME’

AST Reaches both Private & Public Experts, essential to meeting these new challenges.

Today’s new generation of public safety and security experts need real-time knowledge to deal with domestic and international terrorism, lone wolf attacks, unprecedented urban violence, shifts in society, culture, and media bias – making it increasingly difficult for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Military and Private Security Professionals to implement coordinated security measures to ensure national security and improve public safety.

These experts are from Government at the federal, state, and local level as well as from private firms allied to the government.

AST provides a full plate of topics in our AST Monthly Magazine Editions, AST Website, and AST Daily News Alerts, covering 23 Vital Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities, and Emergency Response among others.

AST has Expanded readership into integral Critical Infrastructure audiences such as Protection of Nuclear Facilities, Water Plants & Dams, Bridges & Tunnels, and other potential targets of terrorism.

Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting & Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools & Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – all enticing targets due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.

(See just a few highlights of American Security Today’s 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon at ISC East. Courtesy of My Pristine Images and Vimeo.)

To learn more about ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Award Winners solutions, please see the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS Edition Fully Interactive Magazine – the Best Products of 2021 ‘A Year in Review’.

The Annual CHAMPIONS edition includes a review of Annual ‘ASTORS’ Award Winning products and programs, highlighting key details on many of the winning firm’s products and services, including video interviews and more.

It serves as your Go-To Source throughout the year for ‘The Best of 2021 Products and Services‘ endorsed by American Security Today, and can satisfy your agency’s and/or organization’s most pressing Homeland Security and Public Safety needs.

From Physical Security (Access Control, Critical Infrastructure, Perimeter Protection, and Video Surveillance Cameras and Video Management Systems), to IT Security (Cybersecurity, Encryption, Data Storage, Anti-Malware and Networking Security – Just to name a few), the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS EDITION has what you need to Detect, Delay, Respond to, and Mitigate today’s real-time threats in our constantly evolving security landscape.

It also includes featured guest editorial pieces from some of the security industry’s most respected leaders, and recognized firms in the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.

• For a complete list of 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Award Winners, begin HERE.

For more information on All Things American Security Today, as well as the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, please contact Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.

AST strives to meet a 3 STAR trustworthiness rating, based on the following criteria:

• Provides named sources
• Reported by more than one notable outlet
• Includes supporting video, direct statements, or photos

Subscribe to the AST Daily News Alert Here.

Learn More…

Dedrone Releases Airspace Security Insights & Predictions for 2022