(TLP:CLEAR) U.S. Department of War Publishes New Guidance for Physical Protection of Critical Infrastructure from Drone Threats

Summary: The U.S. Department of War recently published a new guidance product, “JIATF 401 Guide for Physical Protection of Critical Infrastructure.” The guidance document is designed to help military commanders and law enforcement use passive measures to secure vital critical infrastructure against threats from small unmanned aircraft systems (sUASs), or drones.

Analyst Note: While this report is geared for law enforcement and military personnel, the guidance is also applicable for infrastructure owners and operators. The report emphasizes that due to the growing drone threat, “individuals outside a facility, with no intent to gain access, can surveil or threaten facilities and events from significant stand-off distances. Security is no longer defined solely by who gets in, but by how effectively threats from outside the facility are mitigated.” Because of this shift, “local authorities [need] to think about physical protection in new ways that include solutions that are layered, outward-looking, and focused on denying access, visibility, and opportunity, well beyond the entry gate or perimeter.”

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.”

Drones are increasingly being used by a variety of threat actors to target critical infrastructure. Water and wastewater utilities continue to regularly report to WaterISAC unauthorized drone overflights and drones found on their property. Drones have also been used to specifically target utilities for criminal purposes. In short, the proliferation of drones almost certainly means that they will become a growing threat to critical infrastructure organizations for the foreseeable future. 

Original Source: https://www.war.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4394552/jiatf-401-publishes-new-guidance-for-physical-protection-of-critical-infrastruc/ 

Additional Reading:

• (TLP:CLEAR) UK National Protective Security Authority Releases Guidance on Perimeter Security – Security Fences and Gates
• (TLP:CLEAR) Research Report – Physical Security Considerations for Protecting Critical Infrastructure from Terrorist Attacks
• Perimeter Security – Access Control Considerations for Physical Security Professionals

Mitigation Recommendations:

• CISA – Be Air Aware
• (TLP:CLEAR) CISA Releases Three Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Security Guidance Products

Related WaterISAC PIRs: 1, 2, & 4