TL;DR
- CISA has launched three new guides to help critical infrastructure owners and operators manage drone threats.
- The guides cover detection technology, suspicious activity, and handling downed drones.
- These resources are part of CISA’s Be Air Aware™ initiative.
- The move addresses the increasing frequency of drone activity near vital national assets.
What’s New / Why It Matters
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has released a trio of new guides aimed at bolstering the security of the nation’s critical infrastructure against threats posed by unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly known as drones. As the use of drones expands across commercial and recreational sectors, their presence near sensitive facilities is expected to increase. These guides are designed to equip owners and operators with the knowledge to identify, assess, and respond to potential risks, thereby enhancing the overall security posture of vital national assets.
The new resources are part of CISA’s ongoing “Be Air Aware™” initiative, which focuses on raising awareness and providing actionable information regarding emerging threats. This proactive approach is crucial as the threat landscape continuously evolves, necessitating adaptive defenses. By providing practical guidance, CISA aims to empower organizations to integrate UAS risk management into their existing security protocols and emergency response plans.
New CISA Guides for UAS Threat Mitigation
CISA’s new suite of resources includes three distinct guides, each addressing a critical aspect of UAS threats to critical infrastructure:
- Unmanned Aircraft System Detection Technology Guidance for Critical Infrastructure: This guide focuses on the technologies available for detecting the presence of UAS in and around critical infrastructure facilities. It aims to help operators understand the capabilities and limitations of various detection systems to make informed decisions about their implementation.
- Suspicious Unmanned Aircraft System Activity Guidance for Critical Infrastructure Owners and Operators: This resource provides frameworks for identifying and responding to suspicious drone activity. It outlines potential indicators of malicious intent and offers recommended actions for facility personnel to ensure safety and security.
- Safe Handling Considerations for Downed Unmanned Aircraft Systems: This guide offers crucial safety protocols for dealing with UAS that have crashed or landed within a facility’s perimeter. It emphasizes safe practices to prevent injury and to facilitate proper investigation or disposal of the downed drone.
Why This Matters for Critical Infrastructure
The increasing prevalence of UAS presents a complex challenge for critical infrastructure sectors, which include energy, transportation, communications, and more. While most drone flights are benign, unauthorized or malicious use could lead to significant disruptions, data breaches, or even physical damage. CISA Acting Director Madhu Gottumukkala stated, “The new risks and challenges from UAS activity demonstrate that the threat environment is always changing, which means our defenses must improve as well.”
These guides are particularly relevant in light of Executive Order 14305, which mandates enhanced security measures for critical infrastructure. Steve Casapulla, CISA Executive Assistant Director for Infrastructure Security, highlighted the importance of these documents, noting, “These guides provide critical infrastructure owners and operators with meaningful information and resources to fortify their security posture, enabling them to address UAS threats to public gatherings and critical infrastructure.” The resources are developed collaboratively with government partners, UAS experts, and industry representatives, ensuring their practical applicability across various sectors.
Who Benefits?
The primary beneficiaries of these new guides are owners and operators of critical infrastructure facilities across the United States. This includes entities responsible for:
- Energy production and distribution
- Water and wastewater systems
- Transportation networks (airports, ports, rail)
- Telecommunications infrastructure
- Financial services
- Healthcare and public health facilities
- Government facilities
Beyond these direct recipients, the broader public benefits from enhanced security of essential services and a reduced risk of disruptions caused by UAS-related incidents.
Availability
The three new guides are available on CISA’s website as part of the Be Air Aware™ resources. Organizations are encouraged to visit CISA’s official resources and integrate the recommendations into their existing security and emergency response frameworks.
Techswire’s Take
CISA’s proactive release of these comprehensive UAS guidance documents underscores a critical shift in infrastructure security. As drone technology becomes more accessible and sophisticated, the potential for misuse near vital national assets necessitates a structured, informed response. These guides offer a much-needed framework for critical infrastructure operators to navigate the evolving threat landscape, moving beyond reactive measures to implement robust, preventative security strategies. Their development in collaboration with industry and government partners signals a unified approach to safeguarding the nation’s essential services against emerging aerial threats.