Drones can penetrate security perimeters, disrupt operations and unsettle organisations without carrying out a direct attack. A new one-day VdS course in Cologne on 7 December 2026 will examine how to assess these risks and develop an effective protection concept.
Drones are widely available and can be operated without extensive prior knowledge. Their potential use extends beyond direct attacks: they may be used for surveillance, sabotage or disruption, and even an unexplained sighting over an industrial site can trigger security procedures, unsettle employees and affect operations.
Drone incidents are therefore not solely a technical security issue. They also concern crisis management, business continuity, communications and organisational resilience. At particularly sensitive sites, counter-drone measures may be appropriate, but active countermeasures are subject to legal restrictions. Protection concepts must also take account of the potential threat, the site’s specific vulnerabilities and the cost of detection and response.
The VdS course “Drone Security Risks” will cover threat actors, motives and tactics; the role of drone incidents in hybrid threats; site- and process-specific risk analysis; and the capabilities and limitations of counter-UAS systems. It will also address legal and organisational requirements, reporting and escalation procedures, immediate response measures, and the integration of drone protection into existing security, crisis-management and business-continuity structures.
The course is intended for professionals in corporate security, site security, crisis management, business continuity, facilities management, risk management and compliance, as well as operators of sensitive sites and critical infrastructure. Torsten Hiermann, a crisis-management adviser with CriseConsult, will lead the session. His experience includes work in operational and crisis-management teams, security consulting, teaching and service as an officer in the German Armed Forces.
Date: 7 December 2026
Location: Cologne, Germany
Format: One-day, in-person course
Course information: VdS – Drone Security Risks
