Security & cyber-resilience

Topic description

Specific Challenge:

The operation of drones represents a new challenge to society in that, for the first time, airborne assets will be available to anyone to fly, yet which have the capability to invade privacy or to cause distress and damage to people and property. It is essential, therefore, to ensure that the risk to the public is minimised by effective regulation, supported by appropriate technologies. Furthermore, it is essential that the potential for drones to fly where they are not supposed to is minimised as far as possible.

In reference to the SJU Annual Work Programme 2016, this topics covers Section 3.5.3 (e) 2) topic a) with regards to geofencing and f).

This topic covers security from three perspectives:

• Security of the drone system;

• Security of third parties as a result of the operation of a drone system; and

• Application of geo-fencing to ensure compliance with mission and airspace constraints.

A project proposing to cover this topic should investigate how to protect the drone system itself to ensure that, not only can it be prevented from performing outside its intended manner through some unexpected interference, for example, but also that the drone could not be unlawfully interfered with in order to deliberately divert it from its intended mission.

Drones have the potential to execute illegal and dangerous activities including, for example, acts of terror. This project will look at ways of reducing the risk of such unlawful interference.

A project proposing to cover this focus should also examine the concept of geo-fencing. This includes examining the UTM concept developed in Work Area 1, including concepts for airspace classification and reservation, and examine options for ensuring that airspace constraints cannot be violated.

This topic covers technological options for both airborne and ground elements, including navigation, communication between air and ground, in-flight updates, network requirements, service provision options etc.

There is considerable concern about the security implications of the proliferation of drone operations. This project will analyse the problem so that security issues can be effectively addressed as drone operations are enabled. Geo-fencing can be used advantageously to allow or deny any action of a drone, depending on its position. Successful deployment of such systems should increase safety and prevent unlawful activity by drone operators.

International cooperation