Obama Responds to White House Drone Security Breach

Obama Responds to White House Drone Security Breach

So, ready for a little drone trivia? Can you name the 8 places in America where drones can NOT be flown? (Answers at the end of article.)

Yesterday, my colleague Matt Holden, associate content editor with Security Today, discussed the two-foot, quad copter drone being found in the middle of the night in a White House tree just after 3 a.m. After the White House going into lockdown, the drone operator stepped forward, trying to convince investigators that this breach of presidential security was an innocent mistake.

President Obama responded to this harmless crash with urgency from India, stating that it’s time the U.S. updates its laws to manage commercial and consumer drones, even though Obama’s own administration has lagged on this issue.

As the civilian use of drones rises and unmanned craft become cheaper, both Congress and the drone industry at-large have pressed for rules and clarification. Even the FAA has been pressed by Congress and was supposed to release proposed rules for small drones by the end of 2014, but this is now dragging into 2015.

For now, the rules for small drones are:

  • Keep them under 400 feet in altitude;
  • Stay 5 miles away from an airport;
  • Always keep the drone in sight of the pilot; and
  • Do not fly in highly-populated areas.

Answers to drone trivia:

  • All of Washington, D.C. – nation’s capital is a permanent no-fly zone.
  • Airports – drones are banned within 5 miles of airports.
  • Stadiums – if it can hold 30,000 or more people, drones are not welcome within 1 mile.
  • Alaska, Montana and Colorado – using drones for hunting in these states is considered cheating.
  • Near military bases – near meaning, don’t even try it.
  • Florida police officers – not allowed to fly drones.
  • National parks – although it makes for awesome pics for your Instagram, drones can harm wildlife and nature.

Update: I just read that the man who crashed the drone at the White House was a still-unidentified, government employee who had been drinking. Apparently the man reported that he had a feeling the drone might have touched White House grounds, but he went home to sleep.

(Image courtesy of Newsweek.com.)

Featured

  • AI to Help Resolve Non-Emergency Calls Across Utah and Decrease 911 Caller Wait Times

    The Utah Communications Authority (UCA), which oversees the state’s next generation 911 technology services, recently announced that public safety answering points (PSAPs) throughout the state plan to implement Motorola Solutions’ Virtual Response technology to automate the receipt and resolution of 10-digit non-emergency line calls in Utah with the help of AI. Read Now

  • Report: 2025 Video Surveillance Market Set to Grow After Small Decline in 2024

    Novaira Insights has unveiled its latest report, “World Market for Video Surveillance Hardware and Software – 2025 Edition.” The research indicates that the global market for video surveillance hardware and software experienced a slight decline of 0.3% in 2024. This performance fell short of previous forecasts, primarily due to a significant decrease of 7.8% in the Chinese market. Conversely, the rest of the world saw a growth of 4.9%. The global market for video surveillance equipment was estimated to be worth $25.0 billion in 2024. Read Now

  • Report Reveals Local Governments Face Surge in Ransomware Attacks with Minimal Resources

    KnowBe4, the cybersecurity platform that comprehensively addresses human risk management, recently released new research highlighting the critical cybersecurity challenges facing state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments. The report details how government organizations have become prime targets for cybercriminals while simultaneously facing severe resource constraints. Read Now

  • Video Surveillance Trends to Watch

    With more organizations adding newer capabilities to their surveillance systems, it’s always important to remember the “basics” of system configuration and deployment, as well as the topline benefits of continually emerging technologies like AI and the cloud. Read Now

  • New Report Reveals Top Trends Transforming Access Controller Technology

    Mercury Security, a provider in access control hardware and open platform solutions, has published its Trends in Access Controllers Report, based on a survey of over 450 security professionals across North America and Europe. The findings highlight the controller’s vital role in a physical access control system (PACS), where the device not only enforces access policies but also connects with readers to verify user credentials—ranging from ID badges to biometrics and mobile identities. With 72% of respondents identifying the controller as a critical or important factor in PACS design, the report underscores how the choice of controller platform has become a strategic decision for today’s security leaders. Read Now

New Products

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge.