Cybersecurity threats have transformed the way we look at drones
Drones today are no longer just flying cameras or delivery tools—they have become integral to national security and industrial lifelines, from safeguarding borders to inspecting power grids. With this transformation, the key question has shifted from “how far can it fly?” to “how secure is the data and control behind it?” In this interview, Shreya Rastogi, Founder of S R Aerospace, shares her views on innovations in drone security and India’s opportunity to lead in cyber-secure drone manufacturing.
What does the evolving cybersecurity threat landscape mean for drones and UAS?
Cybersecurity threats have transformed the way we look at drones. Earlier, the concern was about theft or losing control due to weak signals. Today, the bigger danger is invisible interference. Hackers can jam signals and bring a drone down mid-flight—or worse, hijack live surveillance feeds during sensitive missions. Globally, there have even been cases where hostile actors remotely took over drones.
At S R Aerospace, we do not treat this as a distant risk—it is an everyday reality. Every single component, chip, and line of code can be a potential entry point. That is why security cannot be treated as an add-on; it has to be the foundation of design. Only then can drones be trusted in defence or critical infrastructure.
How can manufacturers embed security-by-design into drones?
Security has to be built in from the very beginning—it is like setting the recipe before cooking.
We start with hardware. Each drone carries tamper-proof chips that serve as a digital fingerprint, making sure its identity cannot be cloned.
Next is communication. Every transmission—whether navigation data or live video—is encrypted by default, without exception.
A major element is supply chain discipline. We only work with vetted suppliers whose cybersecurity practices we have audited. Even something as small as a motor is reviewed. It is not convenient, but it creates what we call a “chain of trust.” When a drone is in the air, no low-quality component should ever compromise the mission. By making security part of the design, we build systems resilient enough for the toughest conditions.
Which innovations are redefining drone security?
Three stand out as transformative.
First is AI-driven anomaly detection. A drone that “understands” its own normal behaviour can detect if it suddenly drifts off course or receives an unusual command. In such cases, the AI immediately raises an alert—it acts as a watchdog inside the machine.
Second is blockchain. While often associated with cryptocurrency, in drones it creates a tamper-proof ledger for maintenance records, flight data, and software updates. Any attempt to alter the records becomes instantly visible.
Third is adaptive encryption. Security keys refresh mid-flight, which means even if data is intercepted, it becomes useless almost immediately.
The important thing is that these are no longer lab concepts—they are being deployed in real-world scenarios. These innovations will decide whether drones remain toys or become trusted assets in defence and infrastructure.
Why is India uniquely positioned to emerge as a hub for cyber-secure drone manufacturing?
India has a unique mix of advantages.
There is demand—our defence, infrastructure, and civilian industries together create a massive home market.
There is talent—India’s IT and engineering ecosystem is unmatched. The same minds solving encryption challenges in banking and telecom are now moving into aerospace.
There is policy momentum—initiatives under Make in India and new defence procurement frameworks are designed to promote secure, indigenous systems.
And importantly, there is no legacy baggage. Unlike some developed markets weighed down by outdated systems, India can build secure platforms from the ground up.
If we execute this well, India will not just produce more drones—it can set new global benchmarks in cyber-secure drone manufacturing. At S R Aerospace, that is the position we are determined to build towards.
What vulnerabilities exist across the drone supply chain, and how can cyber-audits help?
The weakest link is not usually the drone itself—it is the ecosystem around it. A compromised microchip, an open-source library with a hidden backdoor, or even a careless partner storing data on an unsecured server can all become entry points.
Cyber-audits are the solution. They are like a full-body scan of the supply chain. Instead of checking only the finished drone, audits probe every layer—hardware sourcing, coding practices, server security, update protocols. By stress-testing these links, they uncover vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
At S R Aerospace, we advocate making such audits mandatory. They raise standards across the supply chain and create an ecosystem of trust. Without that trust, drones cannot be reliably deployed for sensitive missions.
Why do civilian and defence drones require modular cybersecurity frameworks?
Because their threat environments are completely different.
A farmer using a drone for spraying crops mainly needs to protect flight data or prevent hijacking. A soldier in a conflict zone, on the other hand, faces risks such as jamming, electronic warfare, and active takeover attempts.
This is why a one-size-fits-all approach does not work. The answer is a modular cybersecurity framework—a secure “core” that all drones share, with additional layers depending on use case.
For example, military drones may need anti-jamming modules, while civilian drones may only require lightweight encryption.
This avoids over-engineering while ensuring every operator gets the right level of protection. In cybersecurity, context is everything—it is about matching the shield to the battlefield.
