Flock Safety launches scalable drone security solution for private sector

ATLANTA — Flock Safety’s new Drone as Automated Security (DAS) solution is making the leap from public safety to the private sector, equipping security teams with a broader, tech-driven tool kit that redefines traditional staffing models, the company says. 

The goal of DAS is to enable faster response and more accurate detection, while also cutting costs by minimizing false alarm responses and reducing the need for large on-site guard teams, according to Rahul Sidhu, vice president of aviation at Flock Safety. 

When asked what factors are driving drones from specialized law enforcement use into mainstream enterprise security, Sidhu said: 

“It really comes down to two things: economics and integration. Security leaders are under pressure to do more with less, covering larger facilities with fewer people. An automated drone can be on scene in seconds for about the cost of one guard, and it covers much more ground than patrols or fixed cameras. That return on investment is what resonates with CSOs and COOs.” 

While the effectiveness of the solution has been demonstrated by law enforcement, privacy concerns remain at the forefront of public concern. As for whether he anticipates resistance from private-sector stakeholders or the public about drones flying overhead at all hours, Sidhu said: 

“We’ve seen the contrary — private sector stakeholders are incredibly excited about the potential of this game-changing technology to help keep their stakeholders and facilities safe. We have built our products so that both business leaders and the public can feel confident they can trust Flock. We fly higher (and quieter) to avoid disturbances. We geofence operations to customer property. We avoid sensitive analytics like facial recognition.” 

DAS's ability to meet these challenges is largely due to recent and proposed changes to regulations governing Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations—what Sidhu calls “the unlock for scale.” These changes allow operators to monitor multiple docks within a 3.5-mile radius, enabling faster response times and broader coverage. As BVLOS operations become standardized, Sidhu notes, drone-based security will evolve into a predictable and auditable component of a company’s service level agreements. 

“The bottom line is that when people see drones leading to faster and safer responses, any potential hesitations usually give way to the value of safer campuses, warehouses and workplaces,” he said.  

Flock Aerodome DAS is now available to commercial organizations.