Drone Defence for Critical Infrastructure Security Firm Hensec introduces EU Drone Detection System for Critical Infrastructures

According to the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), more than 2,000 KRITIS facilities have been registered in Germany by over 1,100 operators. Hensec has developed a civil airspace monitoring system that is entirely produced in Germany and equipped exclusively with sensors from EU countries.

Many of these KRITIS facilities are large-scale facilities, including airports, industrial parks, fuel depots, test sites, ports, offshore wind farms, and chemical plants. "For operators of Critical Infrastructures (KRITIS), a systematic drone defence system is a must," says Kevin Heneka, owner of the Karlsruhe-based security company Hensec. He compares: "An industrial site without drone detection is like an IT system without cyber protection. Drone espionage and cyber attacks by 2026 will no longer be the exception but should be included in every security strategy."

Comprehensive Drone Detection by Multiple Sensors

The Hensec system comprises several sensor units strategically positioned around the monitored industrial site. Given that these environments often contain buildings, machines, vehicles, and possible sources of interference, different sensors are deployed depending on the specific location. Typically involved are radar systems, high-frequency radio sensors, and camera systems, including infrared cameras for night surveillance. Together, they detect everything that moves in the air—be it a remote-controlled drone, a glider, or a flock of birds. Radar will also identify objects that do not emit radio waves.

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When drones are detected, the system provides all relevant telemetry data, such as GPS coordinates, altitude, speed, course, flight parameters, system data like battery status, signal strength, sensor condition, as well as timestamps and identification information. This allows for the real-time evaluation of this information to ascertain whether a serious threat is present.

Important for Security: The sensors emit no signals themselves, such as radio or radar waves, meaning that the drone defence system cannot be located by attackers. Another advantage of such a so-called "passive system" solution is that it does not require regulatory approvals. For the technically inclined: passive radar uses existing radio sources as "illumination," such as broadcast signals that are reflected by a drone. Thus, the system can detect objects in the air without emitting radar waves.

Threats from Jamming and Spoofing are Underestimated

In addition to drones, the Hensec system also detects so-called GNSS manipulations (Global Navigation Satellite System), including jamming and spoofing. Jamming refers to the disturbance of a navigation signal like GPS, preventing an accurate location from being determined, while spoofing involves sending false signals to portray a misleading location. For companies, these signals are often of great importance, such as for fleet management and logistics, or for access and security systems that rely on accurate time transmission via GPS.

"While the threat from drones seems omnipresent, awareness of the dangers posed by jamming and spoofing in industry remains low," says security expert Kevin Heneka.

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Three-Dimensional Real-Time Situational Picture for Security Personnel

All the data collected by the various sensors are compiled second by second into a three-dimensional situational picture, allowing potential threats over the industrial site to be quickly and intuitively identified. In combination with AI evaluations, this provides security personnel on-site with an up-to-date and reliable decision-making basis for countering potential dangers. According to the manufacturer, the Hensec airspace monitoring system can be integrated into all common control room and site protection systems.

In addition to defense assistance, the Hensec system also serves to gather evidence and perform detailed analyses following an incident. This information can be of significant importance regarding insurance matters.