Lessons From ISC West: Responsible Technology and the Rise of DFR

Lessons from ISC West: Responsible Technology and the Rise of DFR

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Every year, ISC West brings together thousands of security professionals, technologists, and public safety leaders to explore what’s next. As the largest converged security event in the United States, it’s where new ideas surface, technologies are tested, and the industry's future begins to take shape.

This year, the question wasn’t just what technology can do, it was how to deploy it responsibly and ensure its long-term success.

Flock led two sessions that tackled that challenge head-on: one focused on how Drone as First Responder (DFR) programs are redefining response, and the other highlighted the role of policy and transparency in AI-powered investigations.

Session 1 - Democratizing Air Support for Modern Security

Featuring:

Fritz Reber, Director, DFR Consulting (Flock)

Lieutenant Nate Lange (Elk Grove Police Department)

Air support used to be limited to a few organizations that could afford to build around it, but DFR is changing that.

Fritz and Lieutenant Lange shared how drones are making real-time aerial awareness more accessible across public safety and private security alike. What was once a specialized capability is becoming a practical part of modern security operations.

The benefit is immediate: instead of sending personnel to assess an alarm, breach, or unfolding incident without context, teams can send a drone first. That gives operators something every security team needs more of – visibility. A live aerial view can:

• Help verify what’s happening with a near-immediate visual 
• Guide responders where it’s happening with better information
• Improve situational awareness before anyone arrives
• Prevent unnecessary dispatch altogether (in some cases)
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DFR helps extend coverage, improve response, and do more with existing resources, but the technology is only one part of the equation.

A successful DFR program depends on the full system around it: training, workflows, regulatory approvals, airspace awareness, integration with existing alerts and operations, and clear transparency measures that build trust over time.

So while drones are making air support more accessible, the real value comes from deploying that capability intentionally. When done well, DFR becomes more than a new tool – it becomes a new layer of security infrastructure altogether.

‍Session 2 - Shaping Policy for Technology

Featuring:

Josh Thomas, Chief Communications Officer (Flock)

Andrea Korb, Senior Director, Policy (Flock)

Security teams across the country are operating with fewer staff and ever-increasing demands. And as the Rational Choice Theory suggests, crime follows incentives: when the perceived risk of being caught is low, more crime occurs. 

That’s where technology comes in. Modern security systems have the ability to change that equation by increasing visibility, generating evidence, and reducing anonymity. But with advanced technology comes increased privacy, accountability, and compliance considerations.

Without clear guardrails, even the most effective technology becomes difficult to defend and sustain. For security leaders, the challenge is twofold: the need for better tools and the ability to deploy them in ways that actually drive outcomes. 

Josh and Andrea outlined five principles for responsible deployment:

1. Statutory Clarity

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Know exactly what regulations apply so your deployment is compliant from day one, not retrofitted later.

2. Defined Use Cases

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Align technology to specific, mission-driven outcomes to avoid overreach and ensure measurable impact.

3. Data Governance Discipline

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Set clear rules for how data is stored, accessed, and retained to reduce risk and maintain control.

4. Immutable Audit Trails

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Ensure every search and interaction is logged so usage is accountable, reviewable, and defensible.

5. Public Transparency

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Be clear about how systems are used to build trust with stakeholders and the communities you serve.

The message from Josh and Andrea was clear: the future of AI-powered investigations won’t be defined by the technology alone, but by how responsibly it’s implemented. The goal isn’t just to respond to threats, it’s to change the conditions that allow them to happen in the first place.

From Capability to Impact

Capability alone doesn’t drive outcomes; deployment does. When technology is implemented with a clear purpose, intentional interoperability, and strong guardrails, it improves response and creates a lasting impact.

Interested in learning more about how Flock can support your organization’s mission? Book a demo.