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Evolving technology is present in every area, from self-service checkouts in supermarkets to intelligent access controls in offices. It’s quickly become part of the security sector, too, especially with the implementation of drone technology in security services. But what impact is that set to have, and what might it mean for the future of the industry?
In ProFM Group’s latest report, we examine how drones are a key factor to consider in the security industry, both in terms of their practical usage and as potential threats to our security. We’ll also analyse the laws around drone use in the UK, and what that might mean going forward.
Security professionals utilise drones to provide a comprehensive aerial overview of the site or property they are protecting. They can then use this information to inform their security patrols, spot intruders before they pose a threat, issue audio warnings (through sirens or built-in speakers), and create an additional deterrent to any possible trespassers.
That also extends to a more complete picture of the site you secure, as well as problems you might not have considered. Aerial security monitoring can help reveal a range of issues, including:
Using a drone also allows for a more eco-conscious approach to security across larger or multi-building premises (like logistics facilities, or manufacturing sites) – crucial if you’re planning for a more energy-efficient future. Your security presence is an extension of your carbon emissions, and by reducing those where possible with drone surveillance, you’re already on your way to a cleaner future.
As one of the key physical security enhancements (alongside the advent of AI integration), drones offer an ideal way to combine modern innovation with the tried-and-tested approach of manned guarding.
Any security officer who uses a drone must have the correct licensing to be legally permitted to use it. It’s a key measure in drone regulations for the security industry, allowing suitably trained individuals to utilise drones to their full potential.
Alongside front-line SIA licensing (read more in our guide to why SIA licensing is important), you will also need to be registered as a Flyer and Operator with the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and certified with one of their Recognised Assessors (RAE).
It’s free to register as a Flyer through the Civil Aviation Authority, but it currently costs £11.79 per year to be certified as an Operator. The key difference here is that a Flyer can only fly their drone, while an Operator is responsible for maintaining and managing the drone (as well as flying it).
You’ll receive both a Flyer ID and an Operator ID, which you’ll need to have on your drone itself or as documentation you carry with you alongside your SIA licence. A security officer will need to have both of these identifiers, especially if they’re manning cameras that can see a large portion of the general public, such as event security drones.
Alongside this, you’ll also need to complete the relevant training through one of the CAA’s recognised assessment centres (RAEs). The CAA publish a full list of authorised providers, which have been vetted and approved by the Civil Aviation Authority.
In line with the CAA’s guidance, we would advise anyone looking to invest in drone technology in security services to pursue a Level 2 Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC-L2). This qualification is suitable for drone pilots operating in airspace with no other air traffic, which typically encompasses the majority of security premises.
As of January 1, 2026, the law states that you must have an Operator ID for any drone you own that weighs over 250g, which is most commercially available drones outside of toys (which do not require an Operator ID). This is also true for any drone you fly that has a camera, or the ability to record footage or take pictures.
If you plan to pilot a drone only for personal use (such as for a business or friend), you will only need a Flyer ID. Regardless of the ID you have, you must have this with you whenever you fly your drone, whether that’s on the appropriate paperwork, as a digital copy, or printed onto the drone itself.
If you use your drone for work purposes (such as using drones in the security industry or as a professional photographer), you will also be required by law to have the right insurance. According to the Metropolitan Police, this must comply with EC 785/2004 standards, and is also applicable if you don’t use the drone for work but it weighs above 20kg.
Numerous considerations should be noted whenever you’re flying or operating a drone. Those include:
Breaking the law around drone flight (whether you’re doing so for recreation, work or other purposes) can result in severe consequences. In accordance with Article 265F of Chapter 4 in the Air Navigation Order 2016, substantial fines can be imposed alongside the confiscation of any drones and associated equipment.
For those who repeatedly break the laws around drone flight, you run the risk of losing your licence and the ability to apply through the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for a new licence. You can also face jail time if you endanger life, purposefully cause bodily harm, or use your drone to take illegal photographs.
Drones can provide an unwanted opportunity for trespassing via your site’s airspace, as well as the chance for criminals to take advantage of footage or photos to exploit weaknesses in your site’s perimeter or existing security services. They might also present an opportunity for criminals to “drop” items or chemicals onto your site, which poses significant health and safety issues.
It’s also very difficult to function as a deterrent to drone flights. While a physical security presence is great at deterring ground-based criminals at the first hurdle, they’re unlikely to be equipped with counter-drone technology (such as signal jammers) unless drones have been an ongoing issue for your premises.
With their widespread commercial availability, drones are also becoming part of the kit that organised criminals use. Anti-drone technology is still in its infancy, and most commonly used at military facilities or as part of critical infrastructure security drones, meaning that there’s a potential vulnerability for those who have sensitive information stored on site.
As experts in the field, however, this is something we have yet to see. While drones are widespread, their capacity is still in the early stages, and the danger stems from drones that are particularly technologically advanced, which is still tech that’s reserved for specialist operations (aerospace or military bases, for instance).
The strict laws around drone usage, enforced by the Air Navigation Order 2016 and the Civil Aviation Authority, also help to minimise the dangers our sites face. Although an Operator licence is affordable, the course to formally pilot a drone can be expensive, presenting a further hurdle for those seeking to deploy drone surveillance illegally.
However, the bottom line is that being aware of the dangers presented by drones in the security industry helps keep sites secure, people protected, and the skies cleared.
While the threat from drones to our site security is a pronounced issue, we’re starting to see the looming threat of drone invasion on the European content. An exposé from the BBC, released in the early hours of the 17th November, shed light on how drones are being deployed in the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, with unmanned aerial vehicles being spotted as far into Western Europe as Belgium and Norway.
At present, the concern in the UK is minimal – we’ve yet to see militarised drones over British soil – but it bears repeating that these are becoming far more common. The BBC sums it up as a “Wake up call for Europe”, and with the drones’ comparative affordability when compared with further military tech (in the region of £15,000 per drone), it’s perhaps a matter of when, rather than if, drones are deployed as part of military strategy.
Of course, while drone technology in the security services industry is an emerging initiative, it remains grounded in the strengths and training of the individuals who pilot them. With ProFM, you’re getting the very best our industry has to offer, delivered by a company that’s been the UK’s official security leader for the last 5 years running.
Contact us today to discuss how we’re pioneering the future of security technology and expert people, and what we can do to deliver a solution that’s built for the modern security landscape.
John has a proven track record for motivating and leading high performance teams and has helped mentor and develop many people at ProFM who now hold key or senior positions within the business. John is committed to delivering only the finest services, exercising compelling leadership, maintaining good internal morale and striving to resolve any challenges efficiently and effectively.
