SkySafe and Cellebrite Collaborate to Enhance Drone Forensics in Investigative Work
Partnership Aims to Assist Law Enforcement in Drone Crime Investigations
By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill
Drone Seizures During World Cup
Since the commencement of the World Cup last month, federal law enforcement agencies have reported the seizure of over 600 drones operating in proximity to tournament venues and fan zones. These seizures mark the initial phase of investigations aimed at determining whether the operators of these unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were violating restricted airspace intentionally or inadvertently. In cases of intentional violation, seizing the drone is merely the first step toward prosecuting the offenders.
Collaboration Between SkySafe and Cellebrite
In an effort to aid law enforcement in gathering crucial evidence, SkySafe, a U.S.-based drone detection and airspace intelligence company, has partnered with Cellebrite, an Israeli firm specializing in digital investigative solutions. This collaboration aims to merge Cellebrite’s advanced digital forensics capabilities with SkySafe’s drone detection technology.
SkySafe CEO Grant Jordan emphasized the growing importance of drones in investigations, stating, “There are now many more elements involved in investigations beyond just mobile phones, and drones are becoming increasingly significant.” He noted that the partnership will enhance investigative efforts by providing insights into drone activities and historical data.
Forensic Capabilities of Cellebrite
David Gee, Chief Marketing Officer at Cellebrite, explained that the investigative process begins once law enforcement has secured the drone. He described a device that can be connected to the drone to access and extract data from its memory, providing real-time information. This data, combined with SkySafe’s historical drone information, allows investigators to trace the drone’s flight history, ownership, and other relevant details.
Cellebrite’s Expertise in Digital Forensics
Cellebrite, a publicly traded company with a market capitalization of approximately $4 billion, has focused on developing technology for law enforcement to access and analyze data from mobile devices since its founding in 1999. The company collaborates with over 7,000 law enforcement and intelligence agencies worldwide, utilizing AI-powered software to facilitate more than 1.5 million legally sanctioned investigations each year.
In March, Cellebrite acquired SCG Canada, which specializes in handheld digital forensics tools capable of accessing data from various UAVs. This technology enables Cellebrite to extract and analyze extensive data from seized drones, providing insights into their operations.
Potential Applications of the Technology
Jordan noted that the partnership with Cellebrite would enhance SkySafe’s existing services, particularly in addressing the issue of drones used for contraband delivery into prisons. He highlighted numerous cases where the combination of tracking and forensic analysis has successfully led to prosecutions in prison drone incidents.
Additionally, the integration of airspace awareness and digital forensics is expected to play a significant role in safeguarding critical infrastructure from unauthorized drone activities. Jordan referenced the FAA‘s initiative to implement Section 2209, which allows facility owners to request flight restrictions over their properties.
“This partnership represents a step toward better management of our national airspace and supports law enforcement in enforcing regulations to ensure safe drone operations,” he concluded.