All Episodes

August 22, 2020 43 mins

In this episode, we catch up with Mike Monnik, CTO of DroneSec, offensive security professional and Co-organiser of SecTalks Melbourne.

Mike was advised early in his career to pick up a specialist area. That area turned out to be drones, and a passion was formed. Starting as a side hustle and whilst working as a penetration tester, Mike started building a (not-for-profit) drone security company. This eventually turned into a business and Mike walks us through this story and what the drone security industry looks like.

He discusses what the future could look like for the industry and how others who share a similar passion could pivot into a full-time role in drone security.

Here are some resources Mike recommends:

  • DroneSec UAV Threat Intel Platform: https://dronesec.com/pages/notify

  • CREST ASSURE Program: https://www.crest-approved.org/assure/index.html

  • Christchurch Mosque shooter used drones to surveil target site: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/christchurch-shooting/122232602/christchurch-mosque-terrorist-used-drone-over-mosque-before-march-15-attack

  • ISIS fighter killed by own drone: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/9797095/isis-fighter-killed-by-drone-bomb/

  • Gangs using drones to infect pig pens: https://www.businessinsider.com/chinese-gangs-are-spreading-african-swine-fever-to-profit-2019-12?r=AU&IR=T (editors note: swine flu not bird flu as mentioned in the podcast)

  • Pig pen farms disrupt aviation with drone jammers: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-swinefever/commercial-pig-farm-in-china-jams-drone-signal-to-combat-swine-fever-crooks-idUSKBN1YO0JE

  • Cartels using drones as temporary airstrips: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/07/05/guatemala-cocaine-trafficking-laguna-del-tigre/

  • A journalist uses a drone to exfiltrate hard drives: https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-49689833

  • Researchers use drone projectors to disrupt smart vehicles: https://thenextweb.com/cars/2020/02/05/teslas-autopilot-dangerously-fooled-by-drone-mounted-projectors/

  • DJI Bug Bounty Program: https://security.dji.com/policy

  • Mark as Played

    Advertise With Us

    Popular Podcasts

    On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

    Stuff You Should Know

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    Dateline NBC

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

    Connect

    © 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.