Growing drone activity around critical infrastructure is prompting security leaders to adopt more advanced counter‑UAS technology, and Securitas is responding with a multi‑layered detection system designed to identify threats before they reach restricted airspace. The company’s approach integrates RF scanners, radar, and AI‑enabled optical sensors, creating overlapping coverage that improves accuracy and reduces the chance of missed detections. RF sensors remain the backbone of the system, capturing and analyzing the radio signals most drones rely on for navigation and control. By interpreting these signals, the system can determine a drone’s location, flight path, and manufacturer, and in many cases pinpoint the operator’s position. Radar adds another layer by detecting aircraft that do not emit RF signals, including autonomous drones and coordinated swarms, which are increasingly used in illicit activity. High‑resolution cameras then provide visual confirmation, using machine learning to distinguish drones from birds, debris, or other airborne objects and to identify potentially dangerous payloads.
A Growing Need for Airspace Awareness
Security officials across multiple sectors are reporting a sharp rise in drone incursions, with many incidents occurring without any prior warning. This trend is especially concerning for facilities that manage sensitive operations or house vulnerable populations. Radar alone cannot identify who is controlling a drone or what type of device is in the air, and RF sensors cannot detect aircraft that operate without radio emissions. Securitas’ layered model addresses these gaps by combining the strengths of each technology. The system is designed to alert security teams the moment a drone takes off nearby or begins moving toward a protected perimeter, giving them time to assess the threat and coordinate a response. Optical sensors play a critical role in this process, offering visual evidence that can be used to evaluate intent, document violations, or support law enforcement investigations. As drones become more sophisticated and more widely available, the ability to detect them early—and with confidence—has become a central requirement for modern physical security programs.
Impact on Correctional Facilities and Other High‑Risk Sites
Correctional facilities have emerged as one of the most frequent targets of illicit drone activity, with unmanned aircraft used to drop contraband such as drugs, weapons, and cell phones into secure yards. These drops can occur in seconds and often go unnoticed without a dedicated detection system in place. Securitas’ solution is designed to close that gap by providing real‑time alerts and actionable intelligence, allowing staff to intercept contraband deliveries and prevent the escalation of violence or criminal activity inside the facility. The system’s ability to identify a drone’s operator is particularly valuable, giving authorities a starting point for investigations that previously had little evidence to work from. Beyond corrections, the technology is gaining traction at utilities, data centers, manufacturing plants, and other sites where unauthorized drone activity could disrupt operations or compromise safety. As organizations face increasing pressure to secure not just their grounds but their airspace, Securitas’ multi‑layered approach offers a path toward stronger situational awareness and more proactive risk management.
Security specialists note that selecting the right system depends on a clear understanding of an organization’s operational demands. Securitas teams conduct detailed assessments to identify those needs, evaluating factors such as scalability, functionality, and any unique site requirements before recommending a cost‑effective solution tailored to the facility’s risk profile.
Find out more about drone defense and other innovative security solutions at www.securitastechnology.com.
