DSS Vice President—Intelligence, Risk Advisory & Strategic Initiatives Greg Sanfilippo recently appeared on Fox 5 New York to examine how unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), often referred to as drones, are complicating security coverage for large-scale public events.
Greg appeared on the Fox 5 NY 6pm newscast, where he was interviewed by Natasha Verma. During their discussion, Greg noted that as drone technology becomes both more sophisticated and more accessible to the public, security professionals and law enforcement agencies are being forced to respond quickly to the growing threat posed by such devices.
His appearance came after federal agents arrested a number of individuals allegedly tied to a plot to use explosive-laden drones to attack buildings around the White House at the UFC Freedom 250 event held at the White House in Washington, D.C. on June 14.
Authorities say as many as 23 people may have been involved in the alleged scheme. The plotters allegedly planned to use the exploding drones to drive fleeing crowds into areas where snipers would be positioned, according to media reports, which noted that the FBI and Secret Service became aware of the plans and moved to arrest the conspirators.
Greg noted that drones “are proving to be a tremendous force multiplier for public safety” when used by law enforcement agencies to conduct surveillance and air patrols over events and strategic facilities.
Still, the rapid advance of technology, its wide availability, and ease of use make it a rapidly evolving threat as bad actors realize they can incorporate drones into their own plans. Greg notes that “appropriately trained and authorized law enforcement agencies need clear authorities and effective tools to detect, track, and, when necessary, interdict hostile drone activity. The technology is advancing rapidly, and public safety frameworks must evolve alongside it.”
Greg is a retired NYPD Sergeant, a former supervisor with the public-private intelligence- sharing initiative NYPD Shield, and a Major in the U.S. Army Reserves. His deep expertise in intelligence gathering and security planning is routinely sought by local and national media organizations for analysis of news events.
At DSS, we pride ourselves on having the most experienced security practitioners leading our operational and advisory divisions. Greg’s recent media appearances underscore DSS’s standing as an industry-leading authority in security risk management.
