Southern States Partners with SkySafe to Enhance Drone Detection for Critical Infrastructure

Integration of real-time drone monitoring and airspace intelligence aims to strengthen grid security and regulatory compliance

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Southern States LLC, a global leader in power grid equipment and technologies, has announced a strategic partnership with SkySafe, a provider of advanced drone detection and airspace intelligence solutions. The collaboration will integrate SkySafe's platform into Southern States' Layered Airspace Protection Strategy, delivering real-time drone monitoring and analysis capabilities to utilities across the United States. This move comes in response to the growing threat of unauthorized drone activity near critical energy infrastructure, as well as new regulatory requirements under the Safer Skies Act.

Why it matters

Drone incursions, whether for reconnaissance, disruption, or malicious intent, present a significant risk to the resilience and security of the power grid. Traditional physical security measures are often inadequate in addressing low-altitude aerial threats. By integrating SkySafe's advanced drone detection and airspace intelligence capabilities, Southern States aims to provide utilities with the visibility and tools needed to protect essential grid assets and strengthen their compliance posture under NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) standards.

The details

The partnership will integrate SkySafe's cloud-based drone detection platform into Southern States' existing Airspace Awareness product line. This will enable utilities to identify drone make, model, and telemetry in real-time, track flight paths, and locate operators. The solution also provides compliance-ready reporting to meet NERC CIP requirements, while reducing the risk of operational disruptions from drone reconnaissance activities.

  • The partnership was announced on March 5, 2026.
  • The Safer Skies Act, which enables law enforcement and critical infrastructure sites to better address drone threats, was recently passed by the U.S. Congress.

The players

Southern States LLC

A global leader in high voltage disconnect switches, gas interrupters, and advanced technologies that help protect and strengthen the electric power grid.

SkySafe

The global leader in airspace intelligence, delivering advanced drone detection, deep analytics, and forensics to enable organizations to identify, track, and understand real-time drone activity with precision.

Melissa Swisher

Chief Revenue Officer of SkySafe.

Patrick James

Director of Grid Security Solutions at Southern States.

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What they’re saying

“By integrating our drone detection and airspace intelligence platform into their Layered Airspace Protection Strategy, we are delivering persistent airspace visibility that enables utilities to detect, analyze and act with confidence.”

— Melissa Swisher, Chief Revenue Officer of SkySafe (Globe Newswire)

“Drone activity and terrorist threats around critical infrastructure are no longer hypothetical; it is happening. By integrating SkySafe's drone detection and airspace intelligence into our portfolio, we are giving utilities the visibility and tools they need to protect essential grid assets and strengthen their compliance posture.”

— Patrick James, Director of Grid Security Solutions at Southern States (Globe Newswire)

What’s next

The partnership between Southern States and SkySafe is expected to expand the deployment of their integrated drone detection and airspace intelligence solution across critical energy infrastructure sites in the United States.

The takeaway

This collaboration highlights the growing importance of dedicated airspace monitoring capabilities as part of a comprehensive security strategy for protecting the power grid. By integrating SkySafe's advanced drone detection technology, Southern States is empowering utilities to better identify, track, and respond to unauthorized drone activity, strengthening grid resilience and regulatory compliance.