The Department of Homeland Security is taking a close look at a range of potential issues raised by the growing use of unmanned aerial vehicles, including possible cyber attacks, a DHS official said today.During a meeting of the Homeland Security Science and Technology Advisory Committee, Bob Griffin, DHS deputy under secretary for secretary and technology, listed a number of potential concerns from drones, including the possibility of flying them into monuments or other buildings, causing collisions with aircraft, providing a “tool for assassination” or chemical attack, or initiating a cyber attack.

Mr. Griffin listed several “key actions” that DHS plans to take on the issue, beginning with assessing the risk, “defining the solution spaces,” engaging with government partners, and engaging with industry partners.

The next action will involve addressing “unified governance,” Mr. Griffin said.  “There are some sticky policy issues” that drone use poses for agriculture, commerce, and security, among other things, he said.  “If we think creatively, think differently, these could have huge implications,” Mr. Griffin said, giving an example of a device being able to follow a firefighter into a fire and send back information on the situation inside a building.  The final action, he said, involved clarifying the roles and responsibilities for “responding to non-traditional aviation technology threats in the National Capital Region.” – Brian Hammond, brian.hammond@wolterskluwer.com

Courtesy TRDaily