A team of nine students from the Saskatchewan Polytechnic Digital Integration Centre of Excellence has partnered with deep technology firm mPowered Technologies to improve the security of aerial drones through the use of encryption. The patent-pending encryption technology secures the drone communication protocol to defend against cyberattacks. Students worked on implementing mPowered’s encryption, which they then tested by applying ethical hacking techniques. They developed their confidence and skills through the project’s weekly presentations and collaborative approach, and “some students who were hesitant to speak at the start are now presenting at conferences,” said Sask Polytech DICE director Terry Peckham. mPowered is currently exploring the commercial applications of the technology.
