16 January 2026: As drone technology becomes both more sophisticated and accessible across the country, researchers from (ICC) at the 麻豆传媒映画出品 have teamed up with Australian tech company to understand the risk profile of cyber-attacks to critical infrastructure.
With the rapid expansion of drone tech reshaping Australia’s security landscape, Defence, national security and critical infrastructure face new challenges – meeting these requires capability that is not only technologically advanced, but also assessed and refined through rigorous, independent research environments.
“We know how drones have changed traditional warfare, but are we oblivious of the role they play in cyber security? That's a worry, and an opportunity for our drone and cyber industry,” said Professor Frank den Hartog, Cisco Research Chair in Critical Infrastructure at the University.
The project began with a team comprising Professor den Hartog and ICC students Andrew Giumelli and Simone Chitsinde, undertaking targeted analysis and interviewing critical infrastructure operators to further understand the cyber threat environment through the use of drones.
In the independent report, researchers found no recorded domestic cyber incidents using drones to date – but limited drone detection capabilities and awareness, minimal government guidance, and rising drone use are creating vulnerabilities. This highlights a gap in reporting on drone-enabled cyber threats in Australia. It warns that the combinations of steadily increasing drone capability, limited awareness across industry, and a lack of targeted government guidance is creating a widening gap.
The report emphasises that drones are no longer emerging technology. Their capability, affordability and accessibility have increased dramatically in recent years, and malicious actors are experimenting with drone-borne cyber techniques overseas. Within the next five years, as drone and cyber capabilities continue to evolve, operators may need to reassess the likelihood and relevance of drone-enabled cyber threats.
“This research highlights the need for greater education, more industry collaboration, improved knowledge-sharing, and broader consideration of counter-drone capabilities across critical infrastructure sectors,” said Professor den Hartog.
“We need to encourage operators to periodically and critically review how drones are used within their operations, assess the cybersecurity implications of increased adoption, and explore strategies to integrate drone risk into existing security and resilience programs.”
The outcome underscores the value of industry working with ICC when progressing complex, high-consequence technology. ICC’s model is built around student-led applied research, giving organisations a secure and collaborative environment to pressure test ideas, refine system-level thinking and draw on multidisciplinary capability. This approach helps industry partners move faster, reduce uncertainty and ensure their innovation pathways remain aligned to real-world operational needs.
DroneShield’s engagement with ICC highlights the importance of research–industry collaboration in strengthening Australia’s sovereign capability. Both organisations are exploring opportunities to continue the partnership as the capability evolves.
The full case study is available on the .