Author: Al Marcella, PHD, CISA, CISM

The world of unmanned aircraft continues to change as the list of industries, markets and individuals find new applications for this technology. As this technology grows in its depth of products, options, configurations and services, and breadth of commercial application, and is use by small businesses to not-for-profits to tier one global enterprises, the need for proactive oversight is warranted. This guidance is for organizations currently using or planning on implementing a commercial UAS program. It is no longer a matter of “if” but, “when” will your organization fall victim to a UAS intrusion and will you even know? Organizations must first assess the risk and then take proactive measures to secure not only their perimeters but, depending on the organization’s “physical layout,” its interior facilities and spaces as well.

An Audit Checklist contains over 270 items, by functional areas, for discussion and review when considering a commercial UAS program, or assessing an existing commercial UAS program. A detailed table of contents, discussion items, and a glossary are a part of this unique and comprehensive Audit Checklist. This checklist is designed to assist the auditor, risk manager, compliance officer and UAS operations manager in the audit and assessment of an organization’s UAS operations and various functional areas. An Operations Manual Template provides an example of the content areas and associated details that an organization should consider in a UAS Operations Manual (OM). It is not intended to be all-inclusive and additional resources should be used to customize and develop an organization’s own, internal UAS operations manual.