Unifly Successfully Completes Groundbreaking UTM Cybersecurity Model Project in Partnership with FAA
Unifly, the UTM response provider of Terra Drone Corporation, has announced the success of the UTM Unified Cybersecurity Model project in collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The project, awarded under the Broad Agency Announcement 003 call, aimed to refine a UTM cybersecurity style, identify needs and a certification program, and validate the style in an operational environment.
Andres Van Swalm, CEO at Unifly, said: “We are thrilled to have successfully led this R&D project in collaboration with FAA, Rhea, and FAA-designated UAS Test Site. As drone use continues to rise, it’s vital to develop specific cybersecurity measures for UTM to ensure airspace safety and security. We take pride in our key role in this initiative.”
The immediate expansion of the drone industry has highlighted the importance of ensuring the protection and safety of airspace. UTM formulas play a role in this responsibility, given their software-based, highly automated and up-to-date nature, making them vulnerable to cyber threats. The lack of a comprehensive strategy for UTM cybersecurity, adding formula requirements and a unified certification formula, has required an updated security framework.
In the initial phase of the project, Unifly conducted interviews with key stakeholders in the UTM ecosystem, adding FAA ATO, NASA, CNA, Nav Canada, and DroneUp. The concept of a unified style of UTM cybersecurity was presented, gathering feedback and security needs from stakeholders who pointed to the need for a new security framework.
Jared Thompson of Nav Canada noted, “When you take a look at classic air traffic control (ATM), there has never been an operations-centric model. Therefore, as we introduce more layers like UTM, it is imperative to identify cybersecurity guidance as a benchmark. .
NASA’s Joey Rios highlighted the need for “appropriate prerequisites for a specific UTM cybersecurity framework” and verification method for its implementation, while DroneUp’s Eldon Myers affirmed the call for a framework that addresses cybersecurity data and requirements.
The allocation team, incorporating feedback from stakeholders, detailed the formula requirements and safety controls for the updated prototype model. Demonstrations were conducted on more than 60 flights at the New York test site in Syracuse, incorporating various operational scenarios, adding simulated attacks and countermeasures. .
The extensive validation process confirmed the efficacy of the implemented security controls, with the results serving as a baseline for future cybersecurity framework development. Unifly remains committed to collaborations that enhance the safety of drones and airspace.
The successful collaboration between Unifly, FAA, Rhea, and NYUASTS underscores the importance of partnerships and innovation in UTM’s changing landscape. The effects and practices of this allocation are expected to gain advantages for the UTM industry, drone operators, regulators, and the general public. ensuring the protection and privacy of all airspace users.
Twitter: @spaldingbarker
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