Technical roundtables will examine how existing BVLOS security practices could help operators comply with new requirements
For years, the drone industry’s central question about beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations has been: How do I get permission to fly?
Part 108 changes the question. Once routine BVLOS operations become available, operators will increasingly need to ask: What do I have to do to qualify and remain compliant?
A new notice from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) offers a glimpse into how the federal government is preparing to answer part of that question.
TSA is seeking representatives from the drone industry to participate in technical roundtables focused on security requirements for unmanned aircraft systems. The agency published the notice in the Federal Register on September 4.
The roundtables will focus on security requirements associated with the FAA’s proposed Part 108 framework for routine BVLOS operations. TSA is particularly interested in hearing from companies already conducting BVLOS operations under FAA waivers or exemptions, as well as companies that expect to operate or support BVLOS operations under the final rule.
Requests to participate are due October 19, 2026.
From Rulemaking to Implementation
The FAA’s proposed Part 108 rule is designed to establish a regulatory pathway for routine BVLOS operations without requiring operators to obtain individual waivers or exemptions.
However, Part 108 is not solely an FAA safety framework. TSA also proposed security requirements associated with the rule.
Those provisions include two major elements: vetting certain personnel and requiring certain UAS operators to maintain TSA-approved security programs.
TSA says it is now finalizing those requirements in coordination with the FAA.
The new roundtables address an important practical question: What will an acceptable UAS security program look like?
According to the Federal Register notice, TSA wants participants to discuss the organizational, physical, structural and technological measures they currently use to secure BVLOS operations.
The agency says information gathered through the meetings may be used to develop model approaches that operators could use to meet TSA security program requirements.
That could be particularly important for companies already conducting advanced operations.
TSA acknowledges that some security procedures already used by companies operating under FAA waivers or exemptions may satisfy elements of the new requirements. The roundtables will give the agency an opportunity to understand those existing practices before developing compliance guidance.
Who Can Participate?
TSA is primarily seeking representatives from companies currently conducting BVLOS operations under FAA waivers or exemptions, companies expecting to operate or support BVLOS under Part 108, and associations representing those businesses. Participation will be limited to no more than two representatives from each company or association. TSA may further limit the number of participants.
The discussions will not be open to the public. Participants must be approved to receive Sensitive Security Information (SSI) and sign nondisclosure agreements. TSA says the closed format is necessary because participants may discuss security measures or vulnerabilities that could be damaging if publicly disclosed.
The agency also makes clear that the meetings are not intended to produce consensus recommendations. Instead, TSA wants individual participants to describe their experience and existing security practices.
Roundtables Will Follow the Final Rules
Although TSA is recruiting participants now, the technical roundtables will take place only after the FAA and TSA final rules are published.
That timing is significant. Participants will know whether the new requirements apply to their operations and will be able to discuss compliance against the final regulatory language rather than the proposal.
TSA has not yet announced specific meeting dates or locations. Meetings may take place in person with a virtual option or entirely online.
Companies and associations interested in participating must submit their requests by October 19. [Full participation requirements and contact information are available in the Federal Register notice.]
Read more:
- Scaling Drone Operations Will Require More Than Part 108
- Commercial Drone Alliance BVLOS Summit Highlights Key Issues for Part 108 Rulemaking
- Uniting Perspectives: How Part 108 Can Serve the Entire Drone Industry
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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Useful timing note for operators reading this: Part 108 still isn’t law (still at OIRA), and TSA says these roundtables happen after the FAA/TSA final rules publish. So the Oct 19 RSVP is about getting on the guest list — SSI approval + NDA, max two per company/association — not changing today’s Part 107 / waiver CONOPS. Contact in the FR notice is BVLOS@tsa.dhs.gov.