Up in the sky! It's a bird? It's a crewed aircraft? It's a drone?: How to Spot a Drone According to SIA’s Counter-UAS Working Group

Have you ever found yourself gazing up at the sky, much like the civilians in a Superman cartoon, eagerly trying to spot a drone soaring overhead? That feeling of wonder and curiosity as you search for that unreachable flying machine can be both exhilarating and a little surreal. 

Thanks to guidance from the Security Industry Association (SIA)'s Counter-UAS Working Group, you can now more effectively identify drones or uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS).  

In a recent blog post titled "How to Spot a Drone: Guidance from Experts in SIA's Counter-UAS Working Group," the association's Counter-UAS Working Group provides important tips and tricks for identifying drones. We are also proud to announce that our Founder, Mark Schreiber, is a member of this prestigious group.  

The article included the group's top three tips for making it easier for the general public to identify these aircraft. These tips include:  

(1) Using Visual Cues: Aircrafts or drones typically have two strobes. There is usually a red light on the left wing and a green one on the right. However, most commercial quadcopter drones have two red and two green. Therefore, when trying to identify an object as a drone, look for the strobes and also consider viewing the unknown object with lowlight filtering binoculars as this should also help.  

(2) Utilizing Flight Trackers: Numerous commercial flight trackers and night sky guides are at your disposal to help you discern whether the object soaring above is a plane on an approved flight path or if the twinkling lights are simply planets or stars in an exceedingly clear night sky. 

(3) Listening out for Noise: According to insights from the Public Broadcasting System, drones generally produce quieter sounds but emit higher-pitched buzzing noises, in contrast to the roar of jet engines or propellers. When an object is flying close enough to be heard, this auditory information can assist in identifying what is soaring above. 

Therefore, as you embark on your journey to identify the potential threat, remember that just like Superman, you have powerful resources and knowledge at your disposal. Armed with these tips, you should be well-equipped to start navigating the skies in search of any drones with the proper level of confidence. 

For more help identifying UASs or drones, visit:  

How to Spot a Drone: Guidance From Experts in SIA's Counter-UAS Working Group - Security Industry Association 

To learn more about SIA's Counter-UAS Working Group, visit:  

Counter-UAS Working Group - Security Industry Association 

Exciting Industry News: IAPSC and SIA Sign Memorandum of Understanding Agreement

Our firm is delighted to announce a major milestone in the security industry: our friends at the International Association of Professional Security Consultants (IAPSC) and the Security Industry Association (SIA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement! 
 
This groundbreaking partnership is designed to foster collaboration, generate valuable content, and facilitate knowledge-sharing between the two associations. By working together, IAPSC and SIA aim to elevate the profile of the security consultant profession, highlighting the crucial role that IAPSC members play in conjunction with the manufacturer and integrator members represented by SIA. 
 
The significance of this agreement cannot be overstated. Over the next two years, we can expect to see a tangible impact on the industry as a result of this partnership. By pooling their resources and expertise, IAPSC and SIA will be able to provide even more value to their members, drive innovation, and advance the security industry as a whole. 
 
At Safeguards Consulting, we are proud to be a part of this exciting development and look forward to seeing the positive changes that this partnership will bring. We believe that this MOU will have a profound impact on the industry, and we are eager to see the fruits of this collaboration. 

Our Founder, Mark Schreiber, also serves as an elected board member for IAPSC, and a SIA volunteer. He recently gave his feedback on this exciting partnership, “This MOU provides a great opportunity for the large group of SIA members to engage with professional security consultants and to share valuable knowledge from IAPSC members with leaders within SIA”.  
 
Congratulations to IAPSC and SIA on this landmark agreement! We are honored to be a part of this vibrant community and cannot wait to see what the future holds. 

To learn more, visit:  

Security Industry Association and International Association of Professional Security Consultants Announce Partnership - Security Industry Association

To learn more about IAPSC, visit:  

International Association of Professional Security Consultants: Home (iapsc.org) 

To learn more about SIA, visit:  

Security Industry Association (SIA) - Information. Insight. Influence.