Smart and Secure Airports: Strengthening Cyber and Drone Resilience
Airports are becoming increasingly digital and interconnected. At the same time, the rapid growth of drone use and the rising risk of cyber threats are creating new challenges for the aviation sector. At the Smart & Secure Airports event on 10 March 2026, organised by the Netherlands Aerospace Group (NAG) and Dutch Drone Delta, experts from industry, research, and infrastructure shared insights on strengthening airport resilience. Dutch Drone Delta connects public and private stakeholders to accelerate the development of the Dutch drone industry.
The event took place at the RAI Amsterdam, alongside Intertraffic Amsterdam, and brought together a wide range of stakeholders from aviation, technology, research, government and infrastructure. We would like to thank all participants, speakers and attendees for their valuable contributions and discussions throughout the afternoon. We also gratefully acknowledge the support of the TKI grant from Holland High Tech, which helped make this event possible.
The programme featured keynote presentations from four speakers representing different parts of the ecosystem.
Niels Kalshoven (Port of Rotterdam) opened the session with the perspective of a large critical infrastructure operator. He highlighted the challenges of integrating autonomous and unmanned systems in a complex and high-traffic environment, while managing the growing risks posed by non-cooperative drones.
Willem-Jan Derks (Robin Radar Systems) focused on the role of detection technologies. He explained how radar-based drone detection is evolving and emphasised that detection systems must be connected to clear operational procedures in order to translate alerts into effective action.
From an aviation safety perspective, Adrian Young (To70) addressed how drone detection and response can be integrated into existing civil aviation structures. His presentation explored operational coordination between airports, law enforcement and authorities, and examined how incidents involving non-cooperative drones can be addressed in practice.
The final keynote was delivered by Erik van Brunschot (NLR). Drawing on defence experience, he discussed how counter-drone measures fit within broader command-and-control structures and what lessons from defence may be relevant for civil infrastructure.
The event concluded with a panel discussion and Q&A, moderated by Lennard Verhoeff, Business Manager Aerospace Operations at NLR and Chair of Dutch Drone Delta, bringing together speakers and participants to reflect on key challenges and opportunities.
Key takeaways from the discussion
– Drone threats are not only an aviation issue, they are part of a broader societal and infrastructure security challenge.
– Detection alone is not sufficient, effective response requires trained personnel, clear procedures and coordinated action.
– Information integration is essential, enabling decision-makers to combine multiple data sources and maintain a complete operational overview.
– Collaboration across organisations and sectors is critical, including airports, authorities, technology providers and research institutions.
– Research, experimentation and education remain important, particularly when addressing non-cooperative drone users and developing operational response concepts.
The session also highlighted the value of bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders. By sharing perspectives and experiences across sectors, participants were able to identify common challenges and explore opportunities for further collaboration.
For more detailed insights from the session, please feel free to contact: communications@nag.aero
This event is organised by NAG in collaboration with Dutch Drone Delta made possible by a top sector HTSM TKI grant.
More information about the speakers:
Speaker 1
Niels Kalshoven – Port of Rotterdam
Innovation Lead Autonomous & Unmanned Systems – Port of Rotterdam
In the Port of Rotterdam, extensive efforts are underway to integrate autonomous and unmanned systems within a complex and high-traffic environment. At the same time, the risks associated with non-cooperative drones are increasing. From the perspective of an end user, Niels Kalshoven shares the challenges port authorities face: how do you balance innovation and safety? What detection and response capabilities are required? How do you integrate low-altitude airspace operations while safeguarding activities within the port area? And where do concrete needs remain for technology providers and concept developers?
Speaker 2
Willem-Jan Derks – Robin Radar Systems
Business Development Manager – Robin Radar Systems
Detection is an essential building block in managing unwanted drone activity. Willem-Jan Derks provides insight into detection technologies, their capabilities and limitations, and how they can be effectively embedded in operational concepts. How do you ensure that detection actually leads to actionable response?
Speaker 3
Adrian Young – To70
Senior Aviation Consultant – To70
Detection is only one step — but how do you organise the operational and legal follow-up? From the perspective of aviation safety and regulation, Adrian Young explains how drone detection can be integrated civilly and operationally into existing structures. This includes analysing how non-cooperative drones have been used based on recent experiences, understanding different modus operandi, and how these can be addressed operationally. The session also explores the link between fixed installations (such as radar systems) and mobile detection solutions, connecting enforcement roles across airports, police and municipalities.
Speaker 4
Erik van Brunschot – NLR
Director Strategy Defence & Intel – NLR
From a defence perspective, countering unwanted drones is part of broader command and control structures. Erik van Brunschot shares insights on prevention, coordination and cross-domain collaboration, and highlights lessons learned from defence that are relevant for civil practice — for example, differences between military and civil approaches and how disruptions are managed.
Moderator
Lennard Verhoeff
Business Manager Aerospace Operations at NLR and Chair of Dutch Drone Delta
Representing NLR and Dutch Drone Delta, Lennard Verhoeff combines aerospace expertise and ecosystem leadership to guide today’s discussions as moderator.