How Premier Security Reduces Theft with Autonomous Drone Surveillance in the US

Premier Security has established itself as an industry innovator, evolving from traditional guard services to technology-enhanced security operations. With a 24/7 Global Security Operations Center in Michigan monitoring approximately 4,000 cameras nationwide and 800 hourly guards deployed across the country, Premier Security has positioned itself at the forefront of proactive security solutions. The autonomous security drone market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 23.6% through 2030, with the physical security sector increasingly adopting aerial surveillance technology to complement traditional methods.

During one of the NestGen '25 sessions, we spoke with Todd Lanning, VP of Commercial Operations at Premier Security, Chris Fink, CEO of UVT, and Matt Rybar, VP of Remote Operations at UVT. Premier Security is a leading physical security provider founded in 2013, currently protecting over 35,000 students across 60 schools and serving Fortune 500 companies with advanced security solutions. Here's what they had to say about their drone security implementation:

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"We began to use technology to provide a higher level of security and create a more proactive approach. Traditional security is reactive - cameras record, alarms sound, and then you respond. But what if security could be proactive?" - Todd Lanning, VP of Commercial Operations, Premier Security

Premier Security faced several critical challenges in protecting high-value manufacturing facilities:

• Reactive Security Limitations: Traditional security systems relied on fixed cameras and on-ground personnel, creating gaps in coverage and resulting in delayed response to security breaches.
  
• Personnel Safety Concerns: With 1,400 hourly guards nationwide, Premier needed to enhance personnel safety while maintaining effective coverage of large facilities.
  
• Asset Protection at Scale: Their clients store approximately $4 billion in inventory daily across multiple facilities, creating significant security vulnerabilities and potential for major theft incidents.
• Coverage Inefficiencies: Security guards could only cover limited areas, making it difficult to monitor large industrial facilities comprehensively, especially during off-hours and in remote areas.

Premier Security partnered with UVT to implement a drone-based autonomous aerial surveillance system integrated with their existing security infrastructure. The solution consists of:

• Hardware Components: DJI Dock 2 autonomous drone systems strategically positioned at client facilities, providing aerial surveillance capabilities with thermal and visual imaging
• Fleet Management: Multiple drones per site to ensure continuous coverage, with automated battery charging and deployment systems
• Command and Control: 24/7 monitoring through Premier's Global Security Operations Center (GSOC) in Burton, Michigan, where FAA Part 107 licensed pilots operate the drones
• Connectivity Infrastructure: Independent LTE/cellular connections via Cradlepoint modems and Starlink satellite communications, operating completely separate from client networks to address cybersecurity concerns
• Regulatory Compliance: FAA waivers for shielded operations and detect-and-avoid technology integration for safe and legal drone flights

The autonomous drone security system operates through a coordinated workflow:

• Drones conduct scheduled autonomous patrol flights along pre-programmed routes to monitor facility perimeters and critical areas
• GSOC operators monitor live video feeds from both drones and fixed cameras simultaneously from a single interface
• When security incidents are detected through either fixed cameras or during routine patrols, operators can manually take control of drones for targeted response
• The system integrates with on-ground security personnel communications, allowing for coordinated response to incidents
• Drone footage is used for real-time decision making and provides valuable evidence for law enforcement when incidents occur
• The system incorporates drone detection capabilities to identify unauthorized aerial vehicles that might be conducting reconnaissance of facilities

Premier Security and UVT adopted a phased deployment approach, starting with a single drone dock at the initial facility.
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"When we initially deployed our first drone for security operations, the only issue we ran into is realizing that at any site where you are committing to a real security presence, you have to have multiple dock drones at that location." said Todd Lanning, VP of Commercial Operations, Premier Security.

This insight led to deploying secondary drones to ensure continuous coverage during battery recharging cycles. The implementation required navigating complex regulatory requirements, with UVT supporting the process through their regulatory expertise.
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"The FAA has been very good to work with here in the US. You can absolutely conduct these operations in a safe legal capacity as it stands today." said Matt Rybar, VP of Remote Operations at UVT.

The team secured necessary waivers for shielded operations at various sites and installed detect-and-avoid technology to maintain compliance with FAA regulations. This meticulous regulatory groundwork enabled the rapid scaling of operations across multiple client facilities.

"We've done more than 6,000 flights to date in partnership with UVT, protecting our customer assets and had great success at doing so. We are not reactionary and we are always preparing to be proactive and stop the potential issue before it becomes a problem." said Todd Lanning, VP of Commercial Operations, Premier Security.

Enhanced Threat Detection and Response
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The implementation has dramatically improved security outcomes through proactive monitoring. In a critical incident in August, Premier Security's drone system enabled the apprehension of five suspects who had breached a manufacturing facility.
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"What could have occurred here is these five suspects could have stolen 3/4 of a million dollars in inventory in fifteen minutes." said Todd Lanning, VP of Commercial Operations, Premier Security.

The drone followed the suspects after they left the facility, maintaining visual contact until law enforcement arrived to make arrests – an outcome that would have been impossible with traditional security methods.

Operational Efficiency

"Dock drones don't call in sick. They wear their uniform every day. They're ready to work." said Todd Lanning, highlighting the reliability advantages over traditional guard services.

Additional Value Creation

"Our customers have recently reached out to us and said, 'Can we get the drone back up in the air? Can you use your technology to give us a count of a certain product?'" said Todd Lanning.

The high-resolution imagery allows Premier to conduct inventory counts and monitor assets, providing clients with actionable business intelligence beyond security purposes.

Premier Security and UVT are actively expanding their drone security operations, with increasingly sophisticated technology integration planned. They're exploring artificial intelligence applications to enhance automated threat detection and improve operational efficiency.
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"In the next three to five years, I have no doubt that the security space for drones is going to increase substantially." said Todd Lanning.

The partners are also preparing for anticipated regulatory changes, with Matt Rybar noting they're "excited to look forward to that hopefully called Part 108 coming out sometime this year."
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These regulatory updates could potentially streamline autonomous drone operations and enable further scaling of their security solution. Additionally, they're exploring drone detection systems to counter the rise in nefarious drone activities observed around their facilities.

Premier Security's implementation of autonomous drone surveillance represents a significant advancement in physical security methods. By creating a layered security approach that combines traditional guard services with advanced aerial surveillance, they've achieved demonstrable improvements in threat detection, response capabilities, and overall security outcomes for their clients. The partnership between Premier Security and UVT demonstrates how technology integration can transform security operations from reactive to proactive.
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"If you can deploy a drone to cover a more proactive area outside even the factory or location to call out things that aren't getting called out until they're an issue, you can now look at reducing your guards. It really becomes cost-neutral at some point. And if you have asset protection that's occurring at a level it never did before, and at the end of the year, losses are 50% of what they were the year before, it solves itself very quickly." said Todd Lanning, VP of Commercial Operations, Premier Security.

Q1. How do autonomous security drones improve response times compared to traditional security methods?

Autonomous drones can be deployed immediately upon threat detection and can quickly reach any area of a facility within minutes, compared to the time it takes for security personnel to physically travel to an incident location. In Premier Security's implementation, drones provide immediate visual confirmation of threats and can follow suspects even as they leave the premises.

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Q2. What regulatory approvals are needed to implement drone security systems at industrial facilities?

Industrial facilities implementing drone security systems in the US require FAA Part 107 certification for pilots, waivers for specific operations like flying beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), and detect-and-avoid technology integration. UVT supports clients through this process by writing Certificate of Authorization (COA) waiver applications and conducting site surveys to ensure compliance.

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Q3. How do security drones integrate with existing physical security infrastructure?

Security drones complement existing security infrastructure by providing aerial surveillance capabilities that integrate with ground-based cameras, sensors, and personnel. In Premier Security's case, their Global Security Operations Center monitors both fixed cameras and drone feeds simultaneously, allowing operators to coordinate comprehensive security responses.

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Q4. What is the return on investment for implementing autonomous drone security systems?

The ROI for autonomous drone security systems comes from reduced theft (Premier Security prevented a potential $750,000 loss in one incident), decreased personnel costs through more efficient coverage, and additional business value from inventory monitoring capabilities. Todd Lanning of Premier Security indicates that clients can see up to 50% reduction in annual losses.

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