Drones are rapidly becoming a critical tool in the world of security. From protecting sensitive infrastructure to supporting border surveillance, the use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) has evolved from manual, pilot-on-site missions to highly automated, remotely supervised Drone-in-a-Box (DiaB) deployments.

As public safety agencies and private security companies increasingly adopt drone technology, the benefits - faster response times, improved situational awareness, and operational efficiency - are becoming clear. However, these advancements also bring new regulatory challenges, particularly for beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations.

From Manual Patrols to Autonomous Overwatch

Security applications were among the first use cases for professional drone operations. Initially, these missions were flown manually with pilots on-site, providing aerial views during perimeter patrols, event monitoring, or incident response.

Today, we see a strong shift towards automated DiaB systems that can be permanently installed at strategic locations such as ports, energy facilities, or along national borders. These systems can:

• Launch autonomously in response to sensor alerts or scheduling

• Stream real-time video and data to a remote control center

• Return to the docking station for charging and data upload

• Be integrated with ground-based sensors, alarms, or detection systems

This makes drones a persistent, scalable security asset - capable of providing overwatch, incident response, mapping, and inspection, all in one platform.

Public vs. Private Security Applications

Public Security Use Cases

For public authorities, drones are being deployed in a variety of missions:

• Customs and Border Protection: Monitoring remote areas, detecting smuggling activities, or tracking irregular border crossings

• Coast Guards: Conducting coastal surveillance, vessel identification, or search-and-rescue coordination

• Police and State Security Forces: Responding to threats near sensitive facilities, conducting aerial overwatch, or supporting tactical operations

These state operators often benefit from more regulatory flexibility. In many EU Member States, public authorities are exempt from some of the more stringent requirements for BVLOS operations, enabling them to fly in Class G airspace without full detect-and-avoid systems or even full SORA compliance, provided safety is otherwise ensured.

Civil and Industrial Security Applications

On the commercial side, security companies are deploying drones for:

• Port surveillance

• Perimeter patrols of energy infrastructure (including nuclear sites)

• Monitoring of railways and depots

• Industrial site security in petrochemical zones, refineries, or logistics hubs

In these environments, drones are increasingly used for both security (live monitoring, threat detection) and inspection/mapping (infrastructure checks, thermal imaging, digital twin creation). However, for commercial operators, the regulatory requirements are more strict - especially for BVLOS operations.

To legally fly beyond visual line-of-sight in most European countries, commercial operators must:

• Operate within atypical airspace (e.g., close to structures or inside segregated areas)

• Obtain a SORA-based operational authorisation

• Implement compensating mitigations such as parachute systems, strategic deconfliction, or detect-and-avoid (DAA) capabilities

Without a harmonised DAA standard, BVLOS remains a significant hurdle for private security operators.

Airspace Awareness and Airspace Integration

To safely integrate security drones into shared airspace, operators increasingly combine DiaB platforms with drone detection systems or cooperative airspace tools. These help operators:

• Detect manned aircraft using ADS-B data

• Identify other drones in the vicinity using drone detection systems

• Establish clear airspace corridors using UTM/U-space and geofencing solutions

AirHub is actively integrating with platforms such as SafeSky and ground-based drone detection systems to enable full airspace situational awareness, helping operators avoid mid-air conflicts and meet key mitigation requirements under SORA.

Supporting Safe and Compliant Security Drone Operations

At AirHub, we support both public agencies and commercial operators with:

Consultancy Services

• End-to-end support in obtaining SORA authorisations, including:

  • Concept of Operations (ConOps)

  • SORA risk assessment

  • Operations Manual (OM) and Emergency Response Plans

• Strategic advice on airspace classification, mitigation selection, and U-space readiness

Software Solutions

• The AirHub Drone Operations Center (DOC) enables you to:

  • Monitor multiple DiaB systems remotely

  • Set up automated flight schedules or response triggers

  • View live video and telemetry streams

  • Integrate with C-UAS systems and airspace data sources

  • Maintain full audit trails for compliance and reporting

Our platform is ISO27001-certified, offers Secure Data Mode (blocking all outgoing data except to selected servers), and supports Single Sign-On (SSO) for enterprise-level access control - ensuring both data security and operational accountability.

Final Thoughts

Whether securing a national border or protecting a high-value industrial site, drones are proving to be a transformative asset in the security sector. But the shift from manual to autonomous operations - and from visual to BVLOS flights - requires a deep understanding of both the technology and the evolving regulatory framework.

At AirHub, we help organisations bridge this gap. With a strong combination of consulting expertise and scalable software solutions, we enable public and private stakeholders to unlock the full potential of drone security operations—safely, legally, and effectively.