FBI, CISA Warn of Risks Posed by Chinese-Made Drones

‘The CCP has subsidized drone companies such as DJI and Autel in order to destroy American competition and spy on America’s critical infrastructure sites.’

A new DJI Mavic Zoom drone flies during a product launch event at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York City on Aug. 23, 2018. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

U.S. owners and operators of critical infrastructure are being warned not to use Chinese-made unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) due to security risks, in a memo and report issued on Jan. 17 by the FBI and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).

“Our nation’s critical infrastructure sectors, such as energy, chemical and communications, are increasingly relying on UAS for various missions that ultimately reduce operating costs and improve staff safety,” David Mussington, executive assistant director for CISA’s Infrastructure Security, said in a memo that accompanied the report, titled “Cybersecurity Guidance: Chinese-Manufactured UAS.”