Drone shows are rapidly replacing fireworks at concerts, sporting events and Fourth of July celebrations as communities embrace what many see as a safer, more environmentally friendly alternative.However, as the skies become more crowded with drones, security experts say the increasingly crowded airspace around large public events can make it more difficult to detect potentially bad actors.R2 Wireless CEO of U.S.
Operations Cordell Bennigson, who is a retired Marine Corps officer, told Fox News Digital that the growing prevalence of drone shows demonstrates how accessible the technology has become, creating new challenges for event security and public safety.Bennigson said that he personally enjoys drone shows and finds them to be "impressive," but said the displays highlight a growing security challenge that extends well beyond the shows themselves.BROOKLYN BRIDGE CATCHES FIRE AMID NYC FIREWORKS DISPLAY AS TRUMP HAILS IT IN DC SPEECHDrone shows are becoming increasingly popular, but one expert is warning that they could provide bad actors with the cover needed to carry out illicit activity without being detected.(Thomas A.
Ferrara/Newsday RM via Getty Images)"A drone show itself isn't a security risk, but it's an indication of how accessible drones are," he said."The other piece of the puzzle is what happens in the clutter and the noise of the full RF spectrum, all the wireless transmissions that are out there."The radio frequency (RF) spectrum is made up of the invisible wireless signals used by everything from cellphones to drones.
These airwaves can become busy during drone shows, due to the tech involved in the show and the spectators taking videos on their phone.According to Bennigson, the additional wireless traffic can make it more difficult for security officials to identify an unauthorized drone flying near an event, allowing it to blend in with legitimate electronic activity."Detection is the first line of defense," Bennigson said.
"Obviously, we want...