Counter-Terrorism and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Digital Forensics

Asan, 20 May 2022 – The United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) concluded a capacity-building training workshop on Counter-Terrorism and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Digital Forensics, in partnership with the Korean National Police University (KNPU) and the Naif Arab University of Security Sciences (NAUSS), 16-20 May, 2022. The event delivered training and raised awareness on the state of art in the area of drone digital forensics and counter-terrorism to 32 Law Enforcement officials from the seven League of Arab States’ members. 

Dr. Jehangir Khan, Director of UNCCT/UNOCT, delivered a statement emphasizing the need for cooperation and information exchange to prevent the potential use of drones in terrorist attacks. He also highlighted the importance of training and interacting with law enforcement in the area of drone digital forensics – such as in events like these. The area of drones is broadly covered under the Global Counter-Terrorism Programme on Autonomous and Remotely Operated Systems (AROS Programme).  

The event was the first in-person training on drones delivered by the UNCCT/UNOCT, following the successfully completed Expert Roundtable in March 2022. The workshop will be followed up by several additional training events on drone digital forensics in the remainder of 2022 and into 2023. 

Background

The United Nations Security Council resolution 2370 (2017) strongly condemns the continued flow of weapons, including drones and their components to and between Da’esh, Al-Qaida, their affiliates, and associated groups, illegal armed groups and criminals. The resolution also encourages Member States to prevent and disrupt procurement networks for such weapons, systems and components. 

This framework is further supported by the General Assembly’s seventh review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, resolution (A/RES/75/291) adopted on 30 June 2021, which strongly condemns the terrorist flow of drones and expresses concern over the weaponization of commercial drones.