DRONE-ENABLED RISK AND THE GOVERNANCE OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE TOWARDS A DOCTRINE OF DECISION DOMINANCE

Abstract

The rapid proliferation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has introduced a qualitatively new category of risk to critical infrastructure—one defined by asymmetry, accessibility, and the capacity to exploit systemic interdependencies. While existing counter-drone approaches remain predominantly technology-driven and reactive, they insufficiently address the governance deficits that transform localized incidents into systemic disruptions.

This article advances a risk governance perspective, positioning UAV threats as dynamic risk vectors rather than isolated security events. Building on the Active Corporate Security (ACS) framework, the study proposes a transition toward decision-centric risk management, where resilience is defined by the ability to maintain operational continuity under conditions of uncertainty¹. Particular emphasis is placed on decision latency, risk ownership, and escalation architecture as critical determinants of systemic stability.

The paper introduces the Decision Dominance Framework (DDF), a conceptual model integrating detection, interpretation, decision, and action within a unified governance structure. It argues that effective protection of critical infrastructure depends not on the elimination of threats, but on achieving decision dominance—the capacity to detect, interpret, and respond to disruptions faster than their propagation across interconnected systems.