Tip of the Week – September 10, 2026

Defending Against the Growing Drone Threat

Water and wastewater utilities continue to regularly experience unauthorized drone overflights and find drones on their property. And a widening range of threat actors are increasingly using drones to target critical infrastructure. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of War (DOW) published a product, “JIATF 401 Guide for Physical Protection of Critical Infrastructure,” offering guidance on passive measures to secure critical infrastructure against drone threats.

A central concept of the guide is the “Harden, Obscure, Perimeter” framework, a methodology focused on shaping the physical environment to counter drone threats. This approach emphasizes practical, layered solutions that can be implemented without the need to procure and deploy expensive technological counter measures. According to the guide, “hardening involves creating physical obstacles to sUAS flight, such as netting or structural shielding. Obscuring focuses on reducing a drone’s ability to identify and access critical assets through measures like visual clutter and temporary barriers. The perimeter aspect extends security well beyond the traditional fenceline, creating layered defenses to detect and deter threats before they reach the intended objective.”

Resource(s): DOW’s “JIATF 401 Guide for Physical Protection of Critical Infrastructure” and CISA’s Be Air Aware