Workshops Emergency Services Drone and Autonomous Systems Security

Emergency Services Full Day Workshop

Drone and Autonomous Systems Security for Emergency Services

A technical workshop for UAS programme managers, drone unit leads, and air support coordinators securing emergency service drone fleets and autonomous systems against quantum-era cryptographic threats.

Full day (6 hours + Q&A)

In person or online

Max 30 delegates

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Workshop Description

Emergency service drone fleets operate in environments where command link compromise has immediate safety consequences. A spoofed waypoint command during a search and rescue operation or a hijacked surveillance feed during a firearms incident creates risk to life. The cryptographic protocols securing these links (MAVLink v2 message signing, DJI SDK authentication, proprietary C2 encryption) rely on classical algorithms that quantum computing will eventually break. The migration challenge is that UAS platforms have long procurement cycles, constrained firmware update capabilities, and operate under CAA/EASA regulations that mandate specific security properties.

This workshop maps the cryptographic attack surface of a typical emergency service UAS deployment: command and control links (GCS to drone), telemetry and sensor data channels, video downlinks, geofencing enforcement mechanisms, UTM (Unmanned Traffic Management) system authentication, and fleet management platform security. For each attack surface, we identify the specific cryptographic algorithms at risk, assess the quantum threat timeline, and evaluate PQC replacement options within the constraints of embedded drone processors, bandwidth-limited datalinks, and regulatory certification requirements. The workshop covers STANAG 4586 interoperability implications and UK CAA/EASA drone regulation security requirements.

What participants cover

MAVLink v2 command link security: message signing with SHA-256 HMAC, timestamp-based replay protection, and quantum vulnerability of the underlying authentication mechanism
DJI SDK and proprietary platform authentication: certificate-based device pairing, firmware signing, and the quantum risk to commercial-off-the-shelf drone platforms used by emergency services
Sensor data integrity: ensuring camera feeds, LIDAR point clouds, and thermal imagery cannot be tampered with in transit from drone to ground control station
Geofencing cryptographic controls: signed geofence boundary definitions, altitude restriction enforcement, and the impact of signature forgery on no-fly zone compliance
UTM security architecture: CAA/EASA Unmanned Traffic Management authentication, electronic identification (Remote ID), and PQC implications for airspace deconfliction
PQC migration constraints for embedded UAS platforms: processor limitations, datalink bandwidth, firmware update mechanisms, and regulatory recertification requirements

Preliminary Agenda

Full-day session structure with scheduled breaks. Content is configurable to your UAS fleet composition, operational profiles, and regulatory jurisdiction.

#	Session	Topics
1	Emergency Service UAS Cryptographic Architecture Where cryptography secures drone operations
2	Command Link and Telemetry Security MAVLink, DJI SDK, and proprietary C2 protocols	MAVLink v2 message signing: SHA-256 HMAC authentication, link key management, and quantum vulnerability assessment for command injection and replay attacks DJI SDK authentication and firmware signing: certificate-based device pairing, OTA update verification, and the quantum risk to emergency service COTS drone fleets Proprietary C2 encryption (Parrot ANAFI, Skydio): TLS-based command channels, device certificates, and PQC migration paths for vendor-locked platforms
Break, after 50 min
3	Sensor Data Integrity and Video Downlinks Protecting operational intelligence from drone to GCS	Video feed encryption: AES-256 symmetric encryption of camera feeds is quantum-safe, but key exchange and authentication protecting the video channel are not LIDAR and thermal sensor data signing: ensuring point cloud and thermal imagery integrity for evidential use in police and fire investigations Body-worn video and drone footage chain of custody: cryptographic integrity requirements for IOPC and CPS evidence standards
4	Geofencing and UTM Security Airspace control cryptographic dependencies	Signed geofence definitions: RSA/ECDSA-signed boundary polygons and altitude restrictions; quantum forgery implications for no-fly zone enforcement UTM system authentication: CAA/EASA electronic identification (Remote ID) broadcast security and PQC implications for airspace deconfliction protocols STANAG 4586 interoperability: NATO UAS control system interface standard and PQC migration considerations for multi-agency drone operations
Break, after 45 min
5	PQC Migration for Embedded UAS Platforms Constraints and strategies for drone fleet transition	Embedded processor constraints: ARM Cortex-M class processors in drone autopilots versus ML-KEM and ML-DSA computational requirements Datalink bandwidth: PQC key exchange overhead on 900 MHz and 2.4 GHz C2 links with typical 50-200 kbps bandwidth Firmware update and recertification: CAA type approval implications of cryptographic algorithm changes and fleet-wide rollout strategies
6	Regulatory and Procurement Framework CAA, EASA, and procurement security requirements	UK CAA Open/Specific/Certified category security requirements and how PQC readiness affects operational authorisation EASA drone regulation (EU 2019/947) security provisions and cross-border operational implications Procurement security specifications: embedding PQC requirements in future UAS tender documents and framework agreements
7	Q&A and Fleet Migration Planning

Designed and Delivered By

Workshops are designed and delivered by QSECDEF in collaboration with sector specialists. All facilitators have direct experience in both quantum technologies and emergency services systems.

QSECDEF brings world-leading expertise in post-quantum cryptography, quantum computing strategy, and defence-grade security assessment. Our advisory membership spans 600+ organisations and 1,200+ professionals working at the intersection of quantum technologies and critical infrastructure security.

Emergency Services workshops are co-delivered with sector specialists who bring direct operational experience in emergency service UAS operations, drone programme management, and airspace security. This ensures workshop content is grounded in the operational, safety, and regulatory realities of emergency service drone deployments.

Commission This Workshop

Sessions are configured around your UAS fleet composition, operational profiles, ground control infrastructure, and regulatory requirements. Get in touch to discuss requirements and schedule a date.

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