The Commercial Information Sharing Program, or CISP, is a data-sharing initiative that enables businesses to exchange sensitive customer information for cybersecurity purposes.
The Commercial Information Sharing Program (CISP) in the Drone Industry: Enhancing Safety and Security
In the rapidly expanding drone industry, the Commercial Information Sharing Program (CISP) serves as a vital platform for collaboration between manufacturers, software developers, service providers, and drone operators. This initiative, overseen by the Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in the United States, aims to improve situational awareness, detect threats early, and facilitate coordinated responses.
Data Submission and Analysis
At the heart of CISP is a centralized information-sharing system, where commercial drone operators submit flight data such as location, operational status, and flight plans. This data is analyzed to identify patterns, potential conflicts, or safety issues, with a focus on reducing risks associated with drone flights, particularly in busy or sensitive airspace.
Information Return Loop
Following analysis, the platform shares processed insights back to stakeholders, including alerts, warnings, or recommendations about airspace use. This feedback loop enables participants to adjust operations proactively to maintain safety and security.
Case in Point: NEOFIX
An example of such a program is Ohio's NEOFIX initiative, which is building a scalable, cost-effective flight information sharing system. Initially focused on Cuyahoga County, NEOFIX aims to expand to other regions, collaborating with other states' public flight information exchanges to promote open information sharing while respecting privacy and operational security. This collaboration supports regulatory compliance and the integration of drones into commercial sectors like agriculture, delivery, and construction.
Benefits of Participation
Joining CISP is voluntary, but participating offers benefits such as early access to threat intelligence and improved standing for federal contracts or advanced operational permissions. Participating companies can also help strengthen national security efforts by proactively contributing to the program.
Ensuring Security
CISP enforces strict security protocols, with shared data being encrypted, anonymized when necessary, and protected under nondisclosure agreements and federal data handling standards. This ensures secure communication between public and private sectors, a critical aspect as drones take on a greater role in national infrastructure.
A recent example of CISP in action occurred when a drone delivery company reported repeated GPS spoofing attempts near a critical energy facility. The swift response prevented potential disruptions and boosted regional airspace security.
In conclusion, the Commercial Information Sharing Program (CISP) plays a pivotal role in enhancing safety and security in the drone industry. By facilitating data flow, analysis, and feedback, CISP is essential for managing growing drone activities and ensuring regulatory compliance.
Cybersecurity plays a crucial role in the centralized information-sharing system of CISP, as data is encrypted and protected under nondisclosure agreements and federal data handling standards to ensure secure communication.
The aerospace industry can benefit from participation in CISP, as companies can gain early access to threat intelligence and improve their standing for federal contracts or advanced operational permissions.
Data-and-cloud-computing technologies are integrated into the CISP system, as flight data is analyzed and shared to identify potential conflicts or safety issues, promoting open information sharing while respecting privacy and operational security.
The Commercial Information Sharing Program (CISP) extends beyond the drone industry, with initiatives like Ohio's NEOFIX collaborating with other sectors such as finance and energy, integrating drones into commercial activities and enhancing national security efforts.
