Once considered supplementary tools, drones are now central to comprehensive security solutions.
As drones become an integral part of modern security systems, their role in surveillance is rapidly expanding. Once considered supplementary tools, drones are now central to comprehensive security solutions, offering real-time threat detection, automated response capabilities, and dynamic coverage that traditional surveillance methods often struggle to achieve.
With advancements in artificial intelligence and networked security technologies, drones are reshaping the security landscape, providing enhanced flexibility, autonomy, and reach. As the industry adapts to this new era, drones are set to play a pivotal role in both urban and remote security applications, supporting everything from public safety efforts to critical infrastructure protection.
The changing role of drones in security
Drones are rapidly evolving in their roles within the security and surveillance industry. According to Guilhem de Marliave, CEO and co-founder of Elistair, drones are on the path to becoming essential elements in security infrastructures.
“Drones will play a pivotal role in security, transitioning from supplementary tools to essential elements of comprehensive security systems,” said Marliave.
With advances in artificial intelligence, drones are now capable of real-time, automated threat detection, significantly reducing the need for human intervention.
Marliave points out that swarm technology, where multiple drones work collaboratively, will likely emerge as a solution for larger, more dynamic coverage areas. Although this technology will be constrained by local aviation regulations, it offers a promising way to cover extensive spaces more effectively.
“Swarm technology, where multiple drones collaborate, will become more common, allowing for more extensive and dynamic coverage of large areas,” Marliave explained.
This capability could transform security operations for applications like border control, large-scale events, and critical infrastructure monitoring, where traditional surveillance methods often struggle due to limited scope or flexibility.
Jack Wu, Co-founder and CEO of Nightingale Security, highlighted that economics and necessity are some of the primary factors fueling the rising demand for drones in the security sector. He noted that demand has grown steadily over the past few years as more organizations recognize the cost-effectiveness and advanced capabilities drones bring to security operations.
Regulatory compliance allowing drones to fly beyond the line of sight has been a significant advantage for the industry. Wu added that this development has opened up new possibilities for drone deployment, enhancing their utility in security operations. This regulatory shift has allowed companies to expand their surveillance capabilities and respond more effectively to security challenges.
Tethered drones and persistent surveillance
Another promising application for drones in security lies in the realm of tethered systems. Tethered drones, which are equipped with a continuous power supply and communication tether, offer persistent surveillance capabilities without needing frequent battery replacements.
This technology is particularly beneficial for monitoring critical areas such as industrial sites, government facilities, and major public events.
“We also see a wider adoption of tethered drones for persistent aerial surveillance, offering continuous monitoring in critical areas such as borders, large-scale events, and industrial sites,” said Marliave.
The ongoing integration of drones with AI-powered analytics and other security systems, like CCTV networks, allows for a seamless, interconnected security ecosystem. This integration could enable advanced threat detection and response capabilities, with each component of the system supporting and enhancing the other.
Marliave envisions a future where “drones equipped with more sophisticated sensors, higher-resolution thermal imaging, and advanced LiDAR” could operate autonomously in a range of environments, including urban areas and harsh weather conditions. In smart cities, drones will support public safety efforts by providing on-demand, scalable surveillance for law enforcement and emergency services.
VMS and drone video: a seamless integration
While drones are becoming more critical to security, their video data doesn’t require a revolutionary approach from Video Management Systems (VMS). Dan Berg, Senior Product Manager for Integrations at Salient Systems, clarifies that VMS platforms already have the necessary capabilities to handle drone video.
“I don’t see the VMS having to evolve to support drones,” Berg remarked. “There seems to be a misconception that video from a drone is different than video from a surveillance camera. It is not.”
Berg explained that VMS technology is designed to capture and manage video data streamed over a network, regardless of the source. Whether the video is transmitted wirelessly from a drone or through a more traditional wired setup, the VMS processes it just as it would with any other camera feed.
“A VMS’s role is to record video data being streamed over the network. In the case of drones, it does not matter if the video is encoded on the drone and transmitted via a wireless network or coming from a LAN-connected analog-to-IP encoder wired to the analog output of the drone’s controller, the result is the same – the VMS sees that data as just another camera.,” Berg noted.
This compatibility allows for easier integration of drones into existing security infrastructures, as VMS platforms can already handle and record video data from a wide variety of sources. Security teams won’t need to overhaul their systems to accommodate drones, making the transition smoother and more cost-effective.
Potential challenges in drone integration
Despite the promising advancements in drone technology, there are challenges that the industry must address. One significant concern is regulatory restrictions on drone operations, particularly in civilian and urban settings.
While drones offer great potential for public safety and large-scale surveillance, current aviation laws often limit their usage due to safety and privacy concerns. This constraint could slow the adoption of drone technologies, particularly in densely populated or sensitive areas.
Additionally, the success of drones in security hinges on the industry’s ability to develop robust data management and security protocols. With drones collecting large amounts of data, security teams must ensure that this information is stored and managed securely to prevent unauthorized access.
Integrating these protocols with existing VMS and other security systems will require close collaboration among industry players, as well as alignment with data privacy laws.
Conclusion: embracing the drone-driven security landscape
The integration of drones and VMS represents a significant evolution in the security industry, promising greater flexibility, autonomy, and scalability in surveillance.
As drones transition from supporting tools to integral components of security systems, their ability to operate autonomously and integrate with other security platforms will redefine how organizations monitor and protect their assets.
Although regulatory and data management challenges remain, the industry’s ongoing commitment to innovation suggests that these barriers will be overcome. Both Berg and Marliave agree that the future of security will be shaped by these technological advancements, with drones leading the charge toward more comprehensive, interconnected surveillance ecosystems.
By adapting to these changes, security teams can stay ahead in a rapidly evolving landscape, where threats are increasingly complex and demand more agile, responsive solutions.