SPbSU: UAV Protection Module

Main article: Unmanned aerial vehicle (drone, UAV)

2024: Product Announcement

St. Petersburg State University (St. Petersburg State University) announced the release of security modules to protect unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from cyber threats. Innovative development is a software and hardware solution that can detect and neutralize malware that disrupts the functioning of drones in real time . The module is based on the popular Raspberry Pi board and GPS tracker.

Konstantin Amelin, head of the Center "Mathematical Robotics and Artificial Intelligence" St. Petersburg State University, drew a parallel between the new device and the immune system of living organisms:

To combat this threat, we have modernized the technology of cyber immunity into a full-fledged security module installed inside the drone and protecting it from such threats, just as immunity allows a person to fight various viruses inside the body.

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Фото: Unsplash

He said that the principle of the module is to obtain a task for the UAV and build an optimal route. When a cyber attack is attempted, the device instantly detects it and takes measures to counter it. So, if the malware tries to correct the flight path, the module will return the drone to its original course. In the event of a serious threat that cannot be promptly eliminated, the system is able to urgently interrupt the flight by turning off the engines and activating the emergency landing subsystem.

St. Petersburg scientists emphasize that their brainchild is highly autonomous and does not require constant control by the operator. By the end of May 2024, over 40 modules have been created that can be integrated into any unmanned vehicle. The development promises to be a significant step forward in ensuring the safety and reliability of UAVs in the face of a growing number of cyber threats, the developers are sure.^[1]

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