U.T.SEC 2018: "Drones are an integral part of all threat assessments"

Wilfried Joswig, Managing Director of the Association for Security Technology, is a recognized expert in security technologies and applications. He deals with the assessment of new threat situations on a daily basis. It is undisputed that the security industry is faced with new challenges due to technologies such as digitalization or unmanned systems.

At the U.T.SEC - Unmanned Technologies & Security Expo & Conference, experts will meet on Wednesday, March 7 and Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Nuremberg Exhibition Center to discuss the use of drones to enhance security, as well as the defense of these technologies in security-relevant structures. Prior to the trade fair and conference, we spoke with Wilfried Joswig about the challenges of unmanned systems (UAS), colloquially known as "drones."

SPARTANAT: How has the security industry and its tasks changed in the age of digitalization?

Wilfried Joswig: Digitalization is not new in the security industry. However, through digitalization, new opportunities have arisen, for example in sensor systems where improved evaluation units or system linking have significantly improved false alarm rates and therefore user acceptance.

SPARTANAT: Are there new tasks or threats due to digitalization?

Wilfried Joswig: Of course, new challenges have also arisen. The networking of systems creates new requirements for network security and availability. With each network element, the number of attack possibilities on my network increases. Special requirements for system hardening are required both technically, organizationally, and on a human level. Unfortunately, not everyone is aware of this or does not consistently implement it.

SPARTANAT: What role do unmanned systems play in this?

Wilfried Joswig: UAS are now a fixed part of all threat analyses and security concepts, both as utility systems and security risks.

SPARTANAT: Have UAS changed the nature of threats?

Wilfried Joswig: UAS have dramatically changed the nature of threats. Previously, perimeter security ended at the top of the fence. With UAS, this rule no longer applies. We also have to include the airspace above into the security concept.

SPARTANAT: Can UAS take on tasks - and how does this affect security service providers?

Wilfried Joswig: UAS can perform important tasks in situation assessment and alarm verification. However, the interaction between human and technology in the context of security services is very important, such as the integration of UAS into security concepts, location of deployment of UAS, operating times, etc. Furthermore, the training of service providers must also cover the use of such systems.

SPARTANAT: UAS are a relatively new technological application. What is your view on the future of unmanned systems in the security industry?

Wilfried Joswig: We are experiencing a very dynamic development of performance characteristics in UAS. With each further development stage, the possibilities for use naturally increase. I am particularly thinking of flight duration, speed, and integration capabilities into management systems.

SPARTANAT: What legal and insurance framework conditions must be in place for UAS to be efficiently and purposefully used by security service providers?

Wilfried Joswig: We are talking about the operational use of UAS in intervention measures. Many things are already regulated. What significantly limits the possibilities for use is the requirement that UAS can only be used within the pilot's line of sight.

SPARTANAT: Should there also be consideration for specialized training in the use of unmanned systems in the security industry?

Wilfried Joswig: Certainly, a qualified training for security service providers is essential for the use of UAS. This should include not only obvious things like flight training, but also a legal examination of special hazard situations and associated behavioral rules.

SPARTANAT: As an association, you support U.T.SEC. What role can such a trade fair play in integrating a new technology into an industry?

Wilfried Joswig: The benefit of such an event is diverse, both for us as an association and for the users. Especially for a technology that is rapidly changing in almost all areas, a conference and trade fair for information exchange is important. The event can serve to present the current state of technology, to highlight and discuss future development steps and applications, to discuss integration possibilities into security concepts, to formulate user requirements for the industry, to address legal requirements, to develop ways of use, and to exchange experiences.VERBAND FÜR SICHERHEITSTECHNIK on the web: www.vfs-hh.de

Safety Trade Fairs by NürnbergMesse

NürnbergMesse has a proven expertise in the field of security. With events like Enforce Tac - Trade Fair for Law Enforcement, it-sa and it-sa Brasil - Trade Fairs for IT Security, FeuerTRUTZ - Trade Fair for Preventive Fire Protection, Perimeter Protection - Trade Fair for Outdoor Security, FIRE & SECURITY INDIA EXPO, and U.T.SEC - Unmanned Technologies & Security, it brings together about 1,200 exhibitors and around 30,000 visitors from all over the world. More information at: www.nuernbergmesse.de/sicherheit

U.T.Sec 2018 on the web: www.utsec.de