Enhancing Security: The Impact Of Drone Technology On Security Patrol

Drone technology is a revolutionary new aspect of security, being used increasingly for remote surveillance. Here’s the latest about these “eyes in the sky” and why using drones for security patrols is growing more popular for businesses, industries and homeowners.

Drones are also called Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Remotely-Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS). Drone security patrols are remote-controlled flying robots equipped with sophisticated sensors and cameras. These features give a drone security patrol the ability to capture high-quality visual data from the air. Even more improved AI-equipped drones collect and interpret data in real-time. AI-based drones make informed and adaptive decisions- in military operations or search and rescue missions, where fast, real time responses are crucial. They are then paired with drone security personnel to enhance and revolutionize security measures.

Common Types of Drones

There are various shapes and sizes of drones, each with tailored specifications. Here are the types of drones used in security services:

Fixed Wing Drones– these look like mini airplanes- with long-range capacity and endurance.
Multi-rotor Drones– popular for recreational use, multi-rotor drones are stable, agile and have (VTOL) vertical take-off and landing capacities.
Hybrid Drones– these are a very versatile combination of fixed-wing and multi-rotor drones.

Security with Drones: What Can Drones Monitor?

There are multiple industries and settings where security with drones and drone security personnel are used together with exceptional results. Here are 9 examples:

Retail settings- drones for security purposes are increasingly utilized in retail locations along with their warehouse settings to combat organized retail crime. Drones used indoors in large shipping spaces, for example, can pinpoint intrusions, track perpetrators, and alert security teams. Outdoor drone use secures parking lots 24/7, can compare license plates to identify unauthorized vehicles, or monitor surroundings and perimeters to deter and halt crime.
Construction Sites- construction sites offer thieves a tempting array of copper and other valuable metals, lumber, tools, and even unsecured heavy equipment. Since theft is one of the main problems of a building site, drones are utilized to mitigate intrusion. Construction sites are known for using drones for security patrols- to establish control and access to the site, while also reducing fire risks.
Agri-Business- food production businesses use a drone security guard for territory surveillance, mapping, and crop health assessment- places that often have large boundaries to patrol. Drone use for agri business patrols are key security guards equipment (or security guard tools).
Industrial Sites- oil and gas companies, solar or wind farms, quarries, mines and pipeline facilities are all sites where the latest drone technology for security is key in protecting personnel, equipment, production facilities, and stored goods. Drones patrols are exceedingly useful around these places involved with chemicals, energy, nuclear power or research.
Smoke And Fire Detection- protecting lives and property from fire has never been so vital, and drones are increasingly being used for fire safety. Not only can drones spot visible fires, they can be programmed to analyze air quality- detecting imminent fires before they even start. UC Davis researchers have designed one such UAV.
Law Enforcement Agencies- drones used by law enforcement agencies collect evidence, monitor activities, track suspects, and perform search and rescue operations. Drones have even been used by police to reconstruct crime scenes- with drones taking pictures from all angles, then feeding data into a 3-D printer.
Border security – for example, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection routinely utilizes drones for security purposes. Recently they flew several hundred domestic-based drone missions while working with other state and local agencies.
Military drones- the military uses specialized drones in combat. Drones are often used in their surveillance operations also. As an example, the North Dakota Army National Guard has flown multiple missions in support of border enforcement and illegal drug interception.
Film and television- drones are used in security surveillance of traffic flow, accidents, and emergency responses. They can even conduct aerial inspections of bridge, road or tunnel infrastructures. Drones on a film shoot can protect filming equipment or personnel, support security crowd control, and even enforce anti-piracy measures by monitoring for unauthorized filming or recording of copyrighted content.

These various categories mentioned are areas where traditional security guards and systems are utilized in conjunction with drones. There are additional less security-related examples of drone use that can be noted as well:

Consumer delivery. The rising use of drone delivery by the general public shows how accepted drone technology is becoming. Walmart customers in Rogers, AR are using Walmart’s DroneUp system for air delivery of food and items. In FL and VA, customers of Chick-fil-A and Wendy’s use Zipline and Wing to get their fast food delivered by drone.
Medical assistance. Drones are used in medical situations- to access remote locations with medical assistance. They also assist with disaster relief efforts, and transport lab samples, medical supplies and organs.

Drone Technology vs. Human Security?

The surveillance drone will never replace human security agents- rather drones are the perfect ally to human security. Drones provide panoramic aerial observation, day or night, in real time, allowing human agents to make remote informed decisions without compromising their safety. Drones for security applications are “eyes in the sky” that serve as advanced high tech tools that complement trained security personnel. Security personnel and drones team together in conjunction to accomplish the highest security objectives of protecting property and people.

The use of private security drones also opens up many doors within the security sector. There is currently a shortage of security professionals proficient in this growing surveillance technology. Security professionals with the latest technological skills are vitally needed to harness these increasingly sophisticated surveillance drones to accomplish their targeted security measures.