Department of the Interior Completes Independent 15-Month Testing of DJI Government Edition Solution Using Mavic Pro and Matrice 600 Pro Drones

Key Takeaways

• DJI’s Government Edition receives independent validation from the U.S. Department of the Interior.
• The validation results from a comprehensive 15-month evaluation of drone technology and data security.
• Testing involved over 2,200 flights to ensure robust performance and data management.
• The Government Edition solution is designed to prevent unauthorized data transmission, enhancing security for government use.

U.S. Federal Agency Endorses DJI’s High-Security Drone Solution

Department of the Interior Completes In-Depth Assessment of DJI’s Government Edition

DJI, renowned for its supremacy in civilian drones and aerial imaging technology, has secured a significant endorsement from the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI). The agency has validated and approved DJI’s Government Edition, a high-security solution tailored for government drone programs. This validation is the culmination of a stringent and independent evaluation that spanned over 15 months, rigorously examining the flight capabilities, payload management, and data security protocols of DJI’s Matrice 600 Pro and Mavic Pro drones, both equipped with specialized Government Edition software and firmware.

“The DOI’s report reflects DJI’s dedication to developing hardware and software solutions that respond to the increasing data security demands of government agencies,” commented Mario Rebello, Vice President and Regional Manager of North America at DJI. He further acknowledged the DOI’s pivotal role in assessing and integrating drone technologies that serve diverse applications, expressing appreciation for their collaborative efforts to create solutions that could aid first responders and resource managers in effectively protecting and managing public land.

In-Depth Findings from the DOI Assessment

Last week, the DOI released a detailed technical evaluation report highlighting several key findings from the testing process:

1. The DOI and DJI collaborated for over two years to develop a solution enabling the agency’s bureaus to utilize high-quality drones with custom firmware to safeguard against unintended data leaks.
2. Testing commenced in April 2018, following a three-phase testing framework collaboratively established with the DOI.
3. Throughout the assessment, 1,133 flights totaling 298 hours were recorded on the Matrice 600 Pro, while the Mavic Pro completed 1,112 flights accumulating 240 hours of flight time.
4. The DOI partnered with NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, alongside various industry and federal collaborators, to conduct targeted evaluations focused on data management and assurance for the Government Edition hardware and software.
5. Throughout testing, there were no indications of data being transmitted outside of the system, confirming the operational integrity as promised by DJI.

A Robust Solution for Enhanced Security

DJI emphasizes that users retain full control over data generated during drone operations. The Government Edition’s unique architecture guarantees that sensitive information—such as images and videos taken in-flight—cannot be shared with unauthorized parties. This is achieved through some defining features:

• No Data Transmission: Local Data Mode is permanently active within the DJI Pilot application, effectively preventing accidental or intentional data transfers over the internet.
• Firmware Reviews: Government IT and aviation departments can examine firmware updates in isolation prior to deployment, ensuring stringent control over validation processes.
• Restricted Hardware Pairing: Drones and remote controllers utilizing Government Edition firmware can only connect with one another; compatibility with standard DJI products is disallowed, securing the environment against unauthorized applications.

Validated as Government Edition v1.0 by the DOI, this solution for the Matrice 600 Pro and Mavic Pro drones is available for procurement through select authorized DJI Enterprise resellers across the United States. For more details regarding the new features and capabilities of the Government Edition, interested parties can visit enterprise.dji.com/government.