(TLP:CLEAR) CISA Releases Three Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Security Guidance Products

Summary: Yesterday, CISA released three new products to help critical infrastructure owners and operators understand and reduce security risks from unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or drones. CISA developed these guides in partnership with government, UAS subject matter experts, and industry stakeholders from across the critical infrastructure community. 

Analyst Note: UASs, or drones, are increasingly being used by a variety of threat actors to target critical infrastructure. The increasing availability of drones almost certainly means that these devices will become a growing threat to critical infrastructure organizations for the foreseeable future. Thus, preparing for malicious drone activity should be a critical part of every critical infrastructure organization’s security program.

Each product addresses a unique segment of the UAS risk environment and offers essential risk management considerations for critical infrastructure owners and operators.

• Unmanned Aircraft System Detection Technology Guidance for Critical Infrastructure provides critical infrastructure owners and operators with key considerations for how to select and leverage detection technology to increase awareness of UAS activity over a facility or site.
• Suspicious Unmanned Aircraft System Activity Guidance for Critical Infrastructure Owners and Operators offers criteria for recognizing suspicious UAS activity and recommendations for responding appropriately.
• Safe Handling Considerations for Downed Unmanned Aircraft Systems provides information on how to prepare for and respond to downed UAS that may pose a safety or security concern.

Water and wastewater utilities continue to regularly report to WaterISAC unauthorized drone overflights and drones found on the property of their facilities. Drones have also been used to specifically target utilities for criminal purposes. WaterISAC previously reported on the release of the “Unmanned Aircraft System Detection Technology Guidance for Critical Infrastructure,” earlier this month.

Original Sources:

• https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/resources/unmanned-aircraft-system-detection-technology-guidance
• https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/resources/suspicious-unmanned-aircraft-system-activity-guidance
• https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/resources/safe-handling-considerations-downed-unmanned-aircraft-systems

Additional Reading:

• The War in Ukraine and Drone Terrorism

Mitigation Recommendations:

• CISA – Be Air Aware
• CISA – Suspicious UAS Identification Poster and Postcard

Related WaterISAC PIRs: 3 & 4