WISeKey Selected by Global Manufacturer to Secure Drone Flights

WISeKey Selected by Global Manufacturer to Secure Drone Flights

The rapid expansion of commercial drone market raises serious security concerns that force governments to rule the usage of Unmanned Aircraft Vehicles (UAVs)

WISeKey’s digital security helps drone makers comply with safety regulations

Geneva, Switzerland – April 2, 2020: WISeKey International Holding Ltd. (“WISeKey”) (SIX: WIHN, NASDAQ: WKEY), a leading global cybersecurity and IoT company, announced today that it has been selected by a major drone manufacturer to bring its decades of expertise in digital security into the Company’s newly designed drones. This agreement is a significant achievement for WISeKey and further illustrates how its security can help global corporations fulfil the latest international regulations about cybersecurity. From drone inflight control systems down to infrastructure, from WISeKey’s VaultIC407 through the Company’s Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and blockchain technologies, solutions exist to guarantee the safety of drone flights.

In January 2020, Technavio released its “Global Commercial Drones Market 2020-2024” report showing that this market is poised to grow by USD20.39bn during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of 36% during this period. For years, the drone market was in a nascent phase mostly limited to leisure applications. The situation changed in 2016, when various branches of industry realized how UAVs could bring efficiency. Applications are now mature: last mile delivery of packages, optimization of fertilizer or insecticide spreading, public safety and inspection of pipelines or buildings are no longer science fiction.

While the number of flying drones is increasing, so does the risks such as collision, hacking and infringement of regulations, in particular penetration into restricted or even forbidden areas. Laws are getting more restrictive to impose a full control over pilots, drones and flight paths.

“We are thrilled to sign this multi-year / multi-million-dollar contract with a global drone manufacturer, our first contract in this segment.  This agreement is a validation of our solid reputation for securing digital identity of people and objects, protecting firmware and also   sensitive data at rest or in transit,  and at the same time securing the confidentiality and reliability of data through any connection; these  business practices have been part of the foundation of WISeKey’s core business for decades,” stressed Carlos Moreira, WISeKey’s Founder and CEO. “Those are also the same technologies which are requested by drone makers to help them easily fulfil the laws and boost their revenue.”