3 weeks ago
UK military drones' Chinese cameras found sending data to Beijing
The United Kingdom has special soldier drones, and their cameras were made in China.
During a routine safety check, experts found the cameras were sending small messages to a computer server in China.
These messages, called 'heartbeat' communications, simply tell a server that a device is switched on.
The Ministry of Defence, which runs the country's armed forces, reacted by cutting off the cameras' internet access.
British officials say their investigation found no evidence that any secret information was taken or leaked.
However, security experts warn that even small bits of data could reveal where the drones are or when they are used.
This happened on a £12 million fleet of K3 Scout drones used by the Royal Marines.
Because the drones were planned for missions in the Persian Gulf, the discovery is considered especially serious.
The government is now checking other military equipment for parts that might secretly connect to the internet.
It shows that even small components, like a camera, can create big security worries.
A routine cyber security assessment found Chinese-made camera components on the £12 million K3 Scout drone fleet making unauthorized connections to a server in China.
The cameras were sending automated 'heartbeat' communications, small data packets telling a remote server that the device was switched on.
The Ministry of Defence cut the cameras' internet access after the transmissions were detected.
An MoD investigation found no evidence that its data or systems were accessed, compromised or transmitted outside the UK.
The MoD ordered a wider review of components in military equipment to identify other systems that may have unauthorized internet connectivity.
- Who
- The UK Ministry of Defence and the Royal Marines, operators of the K3 Scout drones; the fleet was supplied by British company Kraken Technology Group.
- What
- Chinese-made camera components on military drones made unauthorized connections to a server in China, prompting the MoD to cut their internet access.
- Where
- United Kingdom, with the drones also planned for operations in the Persian Gulf.
- When
- Discovered during a recent routine cyber security assessment; the K3 Scout drones have been in service with the Royal Marines since March.
- Why
- The unauthorized connections raised concerns about security vulnerabilities in military equipment and defence supply chains.
Official Reassurance
Security Concerns
Impact of the data transmissions
Official Reassurance
The MoD says a thorough investigation found no evidence that its data or systems were accessed, compromised or transmitted outside the UK, and officials stress no sensitive British military information was accessed or transferred.
Security Concerns
Security experts warn that even basic metadata could potentially reveal information such as the location of equipment, operational schedules and when a device is activated.
Defence supply chain vetting
Official Reassurance
The drone supplier, Kraken Technology Group, sourced the optical equipment from a third-party supplier that had reportedly provided assurances about the security of the components.
Security Concerns
Questions remain about how thoroughly commercially available components are vetted before being incorporated into military systems, as off-the-shelf technology can create vulnerabilities when connected to external networks.
Key facts
- Drone model
- K3 Scout
- Fleet value
- £12 million ($16.2 million)
- Operator
- Royal Marines
- Supplier
- Kraken Technology Group
- How discovered
- Routine cyber security assessment
- MoD response
- Cut the cameras' internet access
- Investigation finding
- No evidence of MoD data accessed, compromised or transmitted externally
- Planned deployment
- Persian Gulf operations
Quotes
MoD spokesperson
Representative of the UK Ministry of Defence
“A thorough investigation found no evidence of MoD data or systems being accessed, compromised or transmitted externally.”
firstpost.com
Sources
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