Walton Institute Research to Address Drone Security

Walton Institute research is working to address the issue of security on Unmanned Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), more commonly known as drones.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), more commonly known as drones, are becoming increasingly important in various sectors, but they also are vulnerable to attacks on their security and the privacy of any data they collect.

The UAVsec project addresses the challenge of AI-enabled Cybersecurity of UAVs in 6G Networks. The project is funded by CONNECT – the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Future Networks and Communications. The research is based in Co. Waterford and carried out by Principal Investigator Dr. Bernard Butler, South East Technological University (SETU); Dr. Indrakshi Dey Head-of-Division Programmable Autonomous Systems Division (PAS), Walton Institute; and Iftikhar Umrani, PhD Researcher, Walton Institute. Research collaborators from CONNECT are Dr. Aisling O’ Driscoll, University College Cork (UCC) and Dr. Steven Davy Technological University of Dublin (TUD). 

The SETU team, based in the PAS Division at Walton Institute, aims to establish a smart, self-reliant, and protected network for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The team’s groundbreaking strategy is leading the path towards a safer and more streamlined utilisation of UAVs.

The UAV Security Challenge

UAVs play a crucial role in applications as diverse as package delivery, disaster management, search and rescue, and remote sensing, but their precision and adaptability to ad hoc routes increase risks to their operations, as traditional security measures struggle to keep up with evolving threats. The PAS Division in Walton Institute aims to enhance the protection of unmanned aircraft operations by incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into UAV security. 

This endeavour seeks to pinpoint vulnerabilities in UAVs and implement AI-driven, real-time cybersecurity measures, with a particular emphasis on enhancing the safety and reliability of aerial package deliveries and search-and-rescue missions, while also ensuring the security of both data and operations.

“Walton Institute’s research goes beyond the laboratory and represents a steadfast commitment to safeguarding vital operations and influencing the trajectory of UAV technology,” says Walton Institute PhD Researcher Iftikhar Umrani. “As the envisioned security system continues to evolve, it establishes fresh standards in UAV security, so UAVs can adapt to the dynamic threat landscape.”

To learn more about Walton Institute’s PAS Division, see here: waltoninstitute.ie/research/key-research.