Drones, Are they the new threat to Security?
Security Concerns
Despite the clear benefits, drones must be embraced and feared in equal measure. While they might look fairly innocent, a more detailed analysis would make them appear terrifying. Their versatility in configuration enables drones to be adapted to positively suit almost any industry and requirement. However, falling in the wrong hands, this versatility could also have a negative impact. Drones are capable of delivering incendiary devices, grenades, and perhaps even worse, into uncontrolled airspace in the same way that unmanned aerial vehicles have in the past.
Currently no regulations are in place to stop someone flying one of these drones into a busy city or airspace. Reports allege that Quad-copters, manufactured by the world’s largest consumer drone maker, have been implicated in a surge of attacks in Iraq and Syria.
Senior Government Officials in the U.S. believe that two years ago ‘security’ was not a concern. A year ago this was an emerging problem, now it is a real concern. These authorities believe that the threat of terrorist drone attacks is a “real problem”. It is no longer in the realms of science fiction movies! Drones could be used to drop explosives or even unleash biological attacks.
Some of the concerns are:
- Danger to commercial airspace
- A lack of regulation
- Hacking
Governments need to very quickly understand the magnitude of this problem and work towards viable countermeasures. Governments must implement strict and overarching regulations to help control drone use, especially autonomous drones that are guided by software and GPS location alone.
Putting in place stringent security measures is vital.
Possible Regulations
- All UAVs over 1 kg to be registered.
- UAVs weighing 4 kg or more requiring a license.
- Only drones with a weight of less than 7 kg, operating at altitudes up to 500m and with restricted visual line-of-sight below the height of the highest obstacle are allowed.
- Operators would be required to be of a minimum age and would have to pass an exam in order to get a license
- Standardisation of radio frequencies on which drones can operate so that security teams could, if required, intercept drones entering unchartered airspace.
- Automated drones should also have regulated flight plans, so enforcement agencies know the owner of the drone, what it is carrying and its mission.
- Plug any potential vulnerabilities to prevent hackers from taking control over the drone
Some Governments have already put in place some of the above regulations. Others have already invested in technology to interfere with radio transmissions to control rogue drones. Some are testing trained bald eagles to intercept offending UAVs.
Summary
- A drone is an aircraft without a human pilot aboard.
- Drones have become main stream.
- Drones have the potential to revolutionise business across a range of sectors, including energy, logistics, transport, photography and even agriculture.
- Potentially they could also be a threat to national security.
- Without stringent regulations drones could become a target for hackers.
- What was once seen as a marvel of innovative technology, could, quickly become a tool for malicious attacks.
- Drones must be embraced and feared in equal measure.
There is no quick fix to the ‘drone dilemma’.
Article by —-
Kiron Kunte has over 35 years of design and solutions experience, in Security, Telephony and Networking infrastructure. He is a graduate of IIT Bombay, a Fellow of the Institute of Engineers and has a post-graduate diploma, from Bombay University, in Systems Management. He is professionally certified in the design and engineering of Data Centres, IP Telephony, Video surveillance and Structured Cabling solutions. He heads Norik Konsult, a practice that offers advisory, design and system planning help to upgrade or build a new Telephony, Security and Networking infrastructure.
For more information contact: www.norikkonsult.com