Researchers from Innovation Central Canberra (ICC) at the University of Canberra have teamed up with Australian tech company DroneShield to understand the risk profile of cyber-attacks to critical infrastructure.
“We know how drones have changed traditional warfare, but are we oblivious of the role they play in cyber security? That’s a worry, and an opportunity for our drone and cyber industry,” said Professor Frank den Hartog, Cisco Research Chair in Critical Infrastructure at the University.
The project began with a team comprising Professor den Hartog and ICC students Andrew Giumelli and Simone Chitsinde, undertaking targeted analysis and interviewing critical infrastructure operators to further understand the cyber threat environment through the use of drones, according to a DroneShield press release.
In the independent report, researchers found no recorded domestic cyber incidents using drones to date – but limited drone detection capabilities and awareness, minimal government guidance, and rising drone use are creating vulnerabilities. This highlights a gap in reporting on drone-enabled cyber threats in Australia, said the report. It warns that the combinations of steadily increasing drone capability, limited awareness across industry, and a lack of targeted government guidance is creating a widening gap.
“This research highlights the need for greater education, more industry collaboration, improved knowledge-sharing, and broader consideration of counter-drone capabilities across critical infrastructure sectors,” said Professor den Hartog.
“We need to encourage operators to periodically and critically review how drones are used within their operations, assess the cybersecurity implications of increased adoption, and explore strategies to integrate drone risk into existing security and resilience programs.”
The full case study is available on the Innovation Central Canberra website.
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(Image: Professor Frank den Hartog)
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