Why It Matters
As drones become more accessible, the risk of disruptive or malicious incursions at high‑profile events grows, threatening public safety and operational continuity. Understanding advanced detection and response solutions, as well as emerging regulatory frameworks, helps event organizers, security professionals, and policymakers mitigate these risks and ensure safe, secure gatherings.
Key Takeaways
- •SkySafe offers real-time detection, attribution, and forensic drone intelligence.
- •Event security requires cross-jurisdictional data sharing, not siloed systems.
- •FAA funding supports sensor networks for major events like FIFA.
- •Safer Skies Act expands local law enforcement counter‑UAS authority.
- •Drone activity spikes at campuses, stadiums, and dense corridors.
Pulse Analysis
SkySafe has positioned itself at the forefront of airspace intelligence, delivering more than simple drone detection. The platform fuses RF, radar, and electro‑optical sensors to pinpoint a drone’s make, model, flight path, and even the operator’s home location. By linking each incident to historical flight records, agencies gain forensic evidence that can support investigations and prosecutions. This depth of insight is especially critical for high‑profile venues such as stadiums and global events, where a rogue UAV can jeopardize public safety, broadcast integrity, and critical infrastructure.
The biggest obstacle for event organizers is the fragmented nature of drone data across dozens of jurisdictions. A Super Bowl‑type footprint stretches beyond the arena to fan zones, hotels, training facilities, and neighboring towns, each policed by separate agencies. SkySafe’s cloud‑based portal normalizes alerts, allowing Boston PD, Massachusetts State Police, Rhode Island Emergency Management, and private security teams to view the same real‑time map and historical patterns. Federal funding of $250 million under the Safer Skies Act has accelerated the deployment of sensor towers nationwide, giving FIFA host cities a unified picture of low‑altitude airspace before the tournament even begins.
Legislation now empowers state, local, tribal, and territorial law‑enforcement to employ counter‑UAS measures, provided they complete certification and reporting requirements. This shift turns drones from a purely federal concern into a shared responsibility, enabling rapid response teams to receive automatic alerts with precise coordinates and operator IDs. Because the sensor infrastructure remains after major events, communities retain a lasting security layer for critical sites such as power substations, airports, and schools. As drone technology evolves, SkySafe’s modular platform can integrate new detection modalities, ensuring that public‑safety agencies stay ahead of emerging threats while maximizing the return on federal investment.
Episode Description
Melissa Swisher is Chief Revenue Officer at SkySafe, a company delivering the intelligence organizations need to detect, analyze, and act in today's increasingly complex airspace environment.
SkySafe specializes in airspace intelligence — providing real-time drone detection, analytics, and forensic capabilities that help organizations determine whether a drone is authorized, where it originated, how it's flying, and in some cases, who is operating it. The company works with state agencies, public safety organizations, and major event operators to bring greater visibility and accountability to the skies above critical infrastructure and large public gatherings.
As Chief Revenue Officer, Melissa leads SkySafe's strategic partnerships and revenue growth initiatives, helping expand the company's footprint across government and commercial markets. She brings extensive C-level experience, having played key roles in two successful IPOs — SuccessFactors and Castlight Health — as well as multiple strategic acquisitions. Prior to SkySafe, she co-founded Socrates.ai, which was recently acquired by Simpplr. Known for building high-performing teams and driving customer-focused growth, Melissa combines operational expertise with a deep understanding of scaling emerging technologies.
In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Melissa discusses the evolution of airspace intelligence, the biggest gaps in current drone defense systems, what new legislation means for local law enforcement, and how organizations are preparing for large-scale global events in an era of rapidly expanding drone activity.
Show Notes
Protecting Stadiums in the Age of Drone Incursions: Melissa Swisher, CRO at SkySafe
Feb 17, 2026
Melissa Swisher is Chief Revenue Officer at SkySafe, a company delivering the intelligence organizations need to detect, analyze, and act in today’s increasingly complex airspace environment.
SkySafe specializes in airspace intelligence — providing real‑time drone detection, analytics, and forensic capabilities that help organizations determine whether a drone is authorized, where it originated, how it’s flying, and in some cases, who is operating it. The company works with state agencies, public safety organizations, and major event operators to bring greater visibility and accountability to the skies above critical infrastructure and large public gatherings.
As Chief Revenue Officer, Melissa leads SkySafe’s strategic partnerships and revenue growth initiatives, helping expand the company’s footprint across government and commercial markets. She brings extensive C‑level experience, having played key roles in two successful IPOs — SuccessFactors and Castlight Health — as well as multiple strategic acquisitions. Prior to SkySafe, she co‑founded Socrates.ai, which was recently acquired by Simpplr. Known for building high‑performing teams and driving customer‑focused growth, Melissa combines operational expertise with a deep understanding of scaling emerging technologies.
In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Melissa discusses the evolution of airspace intelligence, the biggest gaps in current drone defense systems, what new legislation means for local law enforcement, and how organizations are preparing for large‑scale global events in an era of rapidly expanding drone activity.
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