Emerging drone threats require early, proactive defense security

As drone technology continues to advance, building owners and designers face a rapidly evolving threat landscape. How drones are changing security planning—and what the future may hold for protecting facilities, critical infrastructure, and public spaces—is explored in this episode featuring Ryan Searles, leader of IMEG’s Security Consulting Group.

“Drones have really advanced and are now causing very serious security threats to even the private sector,” Ryan says. From delivering contraband over prison fences to gathering corporate intelligence and threatening crowded venues, drones can create risks across a wide range of building types. Healthcare facilities, educational institutions, manufacturing plants, and critical infrastructure all require analysis of how drones could access sensitive areas or interfere with essential systems.

“It's all about where do you and how do you protect those critical infrastructure systems,” Ryan says. It’s also about when: For owners, architects, and engineers, determining drone threat risk and planning for the appropriate security measures is best done early in the design phase of a project.

Early coordination allows detection and deterrence technologies to be integrated more seamlessly and at less cost than waiting until after construction. These systems can include radar, radio-frequency detection, and believe it or not, netting. Ryan’s team incorporated the low-tech material into the security design for a project in the Middle East, specifying fine webbing over the building’s architectural openings—preventing drones from entering and not compromising the structure’s appearance.

Emerging counter-drone solutions include interceptor drones capable of identifying and flying to an unauthorized drone, deploying a net, and bringing it back for investigation.

In all situations, Ryan says, security measures must be proportionate to the risks.

“First let's figure out what posture and level of security you want,” he says. “The objective is to establish appropriate protection without turning every facility into a fortress.”

For existing buildings, security teams may need to retrofit detection and response systems. In healthcare settings, these systems must also account for helicopter operations and emergency medical flights, requiring trained personnel and carefully established response procedures.

On the positive side, drones are also becoming useful tools for a growing number of legitimate operations, including healthcare deliv