The Rising Threat of Drone Attacks on Critical Infrastructure
In the face of escalating unauthorized drone activity around critical infrastructure globally, trust authorities and regulators are urging facility operators to upgrade their existing security systems and consider specialized anti-drone defense measures. Critical infrastructure such as energy networks, oil and gas pipelines, and mass transit stations have always been prime targets for physical and cybersecurity attacks. However, an increase in international socio-economic tensions is leading to an uptick in the frequency and sophistication of these attacks.
Contemporary data reveals a 30% surge in cyberattacks, many aimed at impacting or disabling physical operational technology (OT) systems. In response, government agencies and trusted authorities globally are issuing updated directives intended to assist operators in managing these new threats. One such example is the guidelines released by the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in late 2025. These guidelines delineate strategies for addressing emerging threats posed by drones against critical infrastructure. As drone detection technology becomes an increasingly essential security measure, many operators are actively seeking effective ways to upgrade their defensive systems.
The Escalation of Sophisticated Drone Attacks
Historically, the protection of critical infrastructure from targeted attacks hinged primarily on ground and cybersecurity protections. Through a site-specific blend of physical and digital security measures, facility operators have been able to detect, deter, and manage the most common security risks. This approach has also enabled on-site teams to respond appropriately to threats.
However, in recent years, technological advances have enabled malicious actors to evade traditional defenses using airborne devices. In the current era, drone attacks on critical infrastructure are among the most significant threats facility managers face.
Reports published between 2020 and 2025 indicate that:
- Unauthorized drone activity near U.S. airports has increased by over 25%
- Drone incidents at European airports have increased by up to 300%
- Drone incidents targeting UK prisons have increased by over 40%
- Unauthorized drone activity in critical infrastructure has risen by at least 217%
The capacity of drones to be utilized both for surveillance and as a vehicle for physical attacks makes them a potent tool for sophisticated criminals. To effectively protect critical infrastructure in the present era, defenses must be optimized to combat drone incursions.
Significance of Visual Drone Detection Solutions
While traditional security solutions can be leveraged to mitigate the impact of drone attacks, even the most trained professionals cannot respond appropriately to threats they cannot identify or track. As drone attacks on critical infrastructure become more frequent, the adoption of tools and technologies specifically designed to tackle aerial threats is on the rise. According to 2025 data, the global counter-drone market is predicted to grow at a CAGR of nearly 30% over the next decade, reaching a total value of over $30.5 billion by 2034.
How Visual Drone Detection Solutions Function
Drone visual detection solutions utilize a range of specialized imaging and analysis tools to accurately detect and classify unauthorized airborne devices over extended distances. While these tools may appear similar to traditional rugged security cameras common in critical facilities, they utilize tailored hardware and software features to combat threats.
Key features of an effective drone detection solution include:
Robust enclosures: Devices need to be designed to withstand the harsh weather and operating conditions associated with critical infrastructure sites. Drone detection devices will carry maximum IP and IK ratings to protect against water ingress and impact and will be constructed using corrosion, explosion, and heat-resistant components.
Maximum zoom capabilities: Drone visual detection cameras leverage specialized zoom features designed to capture high-quality images of small, fast-moving objects at close and long range, typically achieving 60x visual magnification.
Thermal imaging functionality: Since drone incidents can occur at any time of day and in adverse weather conditions, effective cameras must be able to capture images using alternative imaging modes. Leading visual drone detection cameras can use infrared and thermal imaging capabilities to detect drones up to 3 miles away.
Real-time visual identification analysis: A high-quality drone visual detection system can detect and classify threats autonomously, without requiring continuous manual observation. Some modern devices leverage AI-based real-time video analytics software to instantly check aerial objects and send automated alerts to site operators.
Multi-sensor threat detection: To help reduce false positives, ensure operability across all environmental conditions, and gain additional insight into emerging threats, effective drone visual detection solutions will leverage additional sensor technologies such as radar, radio frequency (RF), and sonic sensors to detect and classify aerial threats.
In reality, these features enable well-positioned drone detection solutions to autonomously identify, classify, and alert operators of drone activity, accurately and efficiently.
When an unauthorized unmanned aerial vehicle enters the peripheral airspace, devices around the facility will automatically identify the object, access available sensors to discern its size and identifying information, then report and send images to operators and trigger broader security responses.
Best Practices for Utilizing Drone Detection Technologies
As drone attacks on critical infrastructure become increasingly common and sophisticated, operators are encouraged to implement and optimize site-specific drone detection solutions.
To assist facility managers and security teams in using these technologies most effectively, trusted agencies like CISA have published detailed guidance on how to select and operate appropriate solutions, as well as integrate drone detection tools into broader security measures.
Considerations covered in CISA’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Technology Guide include:
Establish capability requirements: Operators are advised to conduct risk assessments and surveys to identify unique drone security needs. CISA recommends that stakeholders consider the threat actors and areas of vulnerability specific to each case, such as surveillance drones used to capture sensitive information or weaponized drones used to damage critical equipment, and then use this information to inform purchasing decisions.
Determine site-adapted solutions: Leaders should determine what types and combinations of sensor technologies will be most appropriate for their unique site and security needs, such as IR sensors for low-light operations and RF sensors for long-range, low-visibility use cases, to inform tailored multi-sensor drone sensing solutions.
Pursue effective security integrations: CISA recommends that facility operators consider the practical benefits of integrating drone detection technologies into broader security plans and systems. In practice, this can allow security personnel to program site-specific automated responses to drone incidents, for example, locking doors, sounding alarms, and operators receiving live alerts in direct response to identified drone activity.
By adhering to these best practices when selecting appropriate equipment and ensuring that the resulting facilities are well managed and maintained, critical infrastructure operators can both improve their threat identification capabilities and increase site-wide security awareness.
Drone Detection: An Increasingly Critical Security Consideration
As government entities like CISA anticipate the frequency of drones operating near critical infrastructure to significantly increase in the coming years, facility operators and security personnel are advised to devote more resources to strengthening key security measures.
Alongside improvements to traditional security solutions such as video surveillance, access control, and environmental sensor systems, specialist drone detection technologies are being recommended by trusted authorities as tools to ensure aerial threats are managed swiftly and effectively.
By identifying and integrating site-specific drone detection technologies into existing security systems, facility managers can significantly enhance the quality and timeliness of planned responses to drone incursions, thereby helping to protect critical infrastructure from sophisticated attacks.
Source: The Robot Report
About the Author
Sean Toohey is a freelance journalist and digital media specialist with an extensive background in covering news, developments, and emerging trends in the security, MEP engineering, and trades sectors. His expertise and experience contribute to his authoritativeness and trustworthiness in this field.
