AUTHOR=Mohammed Usman Mistura , Omolara Abiodun Esther , Abiodun Oludare Isaac , Rasheed Jawad , Osman Onur , Lar Patricia Manko , Adeyinka Philip Oyadiran , Olugbenga Adeola Grace 

TITLE=Cyber threat in drone systems: bridging real-time security, legal admissibility, and digital forensic solution readiness

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Communications and Networks

VOLUME=Volume 6 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/communications-and-networks/articles/10.3389/frcmn.2025.1661928

DOI=10.3389/frcmn.2025.1661928

ISSN=2673-530X

ABSTRACT=The rapid expansion of drones otherwise known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), in critical sectors has increased their exposure to cyber threats such as GPS spoofing, command hijacking, and firmware tampering. Existing forensic tools often fail to address UAV-specific challenges like volatile memory and limited storage, hindering effective investigations. Hence, to address this gap, this study proposes the Enhanced UAV Forensic Framework (EUAVFF) a modular, forensic-by-design model integrating blockchain audit trails, secure logging, telemetry offloading, and UAV-friendly encryption. Validated through a literature review and a stakeholder survey (n = 100), results showed that over 70% of respondents lacked awareness of UAV cyber risks, and current drones were rated poorly in key forensic areas, including tamper-proof logging and legal evidence handling. Only 28% were familiar with drone-specific threats, reflecting critical gaps in preparedness.These findings emphasize the urgent need for proactive forensic integration. EUAVFF offers a structured path to secure, accountable, and resilient UAV operations in increasingly hostile cyber environments.