Closing the visibility gap: how drone detection strengthens the protection of critical infrastructure
Critical infrastructure has never been more secure. Layered protection combining fencing, CCTV, intrusion detection, access control and on-site security officers helps organisations safeguard their people, assets and operations every day.
Yet even the strongest security model can have blind spots.
As drones become more affordable, more capable and easier to operate, they are creating a new type of risk that traditional perimeter security was never designed to address. A drone can enter restricted airspace, gather information or disrupt operations without ever crossing a fence or passing through an access point.
For operators of data centres, energy facilities, transport hubs and other critical sites, protecting the perimeter is no longer enough. Understanding what happens above it is becoming equally important.
Across the Securitas Group, organisations are increasingly exploring intelligent drone detection as a way to extend their existing security strategy, improve situational awareness and respond more effectively to emerging aerial threats.
A new type of risk above a well-protected site
This was the challenge faced by a large Nordic data centre operator responsible for protecting critical digital infrastructure.
The site already benefited from a mature and comprehensive security programme. Physical barriers, CCTV, intrusion detection, strict access control and professional security officers provided strong protection against conventional threats.
However, one area remained largely outside the organisation's field of vision: the airspace above the facility.
Over time, several hobby drones were observed flying close to the site. None of these incidents appeared malicious, but they raised important questions.
Who was operating the drones?
Were they simply passing by, collecting images or testing the site's response?
Could a future drone present a more serious threat?
Without dedicated detection capabilities, the security team had no reliable way to answer these questions. They could see a drone if it happened to be visible, but they had no means of tracking its movements, identifying its origin or assessing the level of risk it represented.
As drone technology continued to evolve, it became clear that this lack of visibility represented an operational vulnerability rather than simply a technological limitation.
Why the client chose Protectas for drone detection
Already working with the Securitas Group for several security services, the client wanted to strengthen its existing security model rather than introduce another standalone technology.
The objective was clear: add an intelligent layer of airspace monitoring that would integrate seamlessly with existing security operations.
Security specialists from the Securitas Group proposed a drone detection solution designed to complement—not replace—the site's existing protection measures.
The solution focused on three priorities:
- Real-time detection and tracking to provide continuous visibility over the monitored airspace.
- Connected response, with alerts sent directly to on-site security officers and the Security Operations Center (SOC), enabling faster and better coordinated action.
- Seamless integration with existing procedures, ensuring drone detection became part of the site's overall security operation rather than a separate system.
By building on the client's existing security infrastructure, the solution extended protection into a previously unmonitored area without adding unnecessary complexity.
Instead of creating another security tool to manage, it strengthened the entire security ecosystem, giving teams greater visibility, faster access to information and more confidence when responding to potential threats.
How drone detection works in practice
Once deployed, the drone detection solution becomes a fully integrated part of the site's daily security operations.
Operating continuously, it monitors the surrounding airspace and immediately alerts security teams whenever a drone enters the protected zone. Rather than relying on visual confirmation or reports from employees, the system provides real-time, verified information that enables faster and more informed decisions.
Alerts are sent simultaneously to the on-site security officers and the Security Operations Center (SOC), ensuring everyone involved has the same situational awareness from the very beginning.
But detection is only the first step.
The system continuously tracks the drone's flight path, helping security teams understand where it is coming from, where it is heading and whether its behaviour indicates a potential threat. Depending on the technology deployed and the operational environment, it can also identify the approximate location of the drone operator, providing valuable intelligence to support the response.
This allows security teams to assess the situation quickly and act accordingly. On-site officers can investigate, patrols can be dispatched if required, and the SOC can coordinate the response while ensuring established procedures are followed.
The result is a faster, more structured response based on reliable information rather than assumptions.
The solution helps ensure that:
- Drones are detected as soon as they enter the monitored airspace.
- Security teams receive real-time, actionable information.
- Responses are coordinated between on-site personnel and the SOC.
- Technology and people work together to manage the situation effectively.
Technology provides the visibility.
People provide the expertise.
Together, they help organisations stay one step ahead of emerging threats.
Implementation: a structured approach in a complex environment
Deploying new technology within a critical infrastructure environment requires more than simply installing equipment.
Every component must fit within an existing ecosystem of security processes, IT policies and operational requirements.
For this project, cybersecurity and IT governance were key considerations from the outset.
The drone detection solution had to comply with strict requirements relating to network security, system integration and data management without affecting the availability or resilience of the client's operations.
Achieving this required close collaboration between security specialists from the Securitas Group, the client's IT teams and other technical stakeholders throughout the implementation process.
Each stage—from planning and validation to deployment and testing—was carefully coordinated to ensure the solution integrated smoothly into the existing security environment.
The objective was not only to deploy an effective drone detection system, but to deliver a solution that would remain reliable, scalable and sustainable as the client's security needs continue to evolve.
By combining advanced technology with a structured implementation approach, the project strengthened protection without increasing operational complexity—a key requirement for any critical infrastructure environment.
Measurable impact on risk, visibility and response
Since its deployment, the drone detection solution has become an integral part of the site's security operations.
Even without a major security incident, the benefits have been immediate.
The most significant improvement is simple: the airspace is no longer a blind spot.
Security teams now have real-time visibility over an area that was previously difficult to monitor, allowing them to detect drone activity earlier, verify alerts more quickly and respond with greater confidence.
Instead of reacting to uncertainty, operators can make decisions based on reliable, real-time information. Potential threats can be assessed sooner, appropriate response procedures can be activated faster and unnecessary disruptions can be minimised.
The solution has also strengthened collaboration between on-site security officers and the Security Operations Center (SOC). With access to the same information at the same time, teams can coordinate their actions more efficiently and maintain a consistent operational picture throughout an incident.
Beyond improving day-to-day operations, the system also reinforces the organisation's long-term resilience. As drone technology continues to evolve, having dedicated airspace visibility helps organisations adapt to emerging risks while protecting business continuity, critical assets and people.
Let’s explore where your blind spots might be
Every site has unique risks.
For some organisations, the greatest vulnerability may not lie at the perimeter, but above it.
If you are responsible for protecting critical infrastructure, industrial facilities or other sensitive environments, now is the time to consider whether your current security strategy provides complete situational awareness.
As part of Securitas AB, Protectas combines local expertise with global innovation to help organisations identify emerging risks and design integrated security solutions tailored to their operational environment.
If you would like to learn how intelligent drone detection can complement your existing security measures and strengthen the protection of your site, our experts would be pleased to discuss your specific needs.