A webinar announcement for "Protecting Sensitive Environments from Drone Threats" features Gordon Kesting in the foreground against a background detailing the webinar's date, time, and host organization.

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WEBINAR SESSION INFORMATION <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1780424690/wysiwyg/bfyz27jfchuo6sxadnnt.jpg" style="width:600px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto;text-align:center;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none;position:relative;box-sizing:inherit;max-width:100%" /> Protecting Sensitive Environments from Drone Threats: The Critical Role of RF-Cyber C-UAS (1 PDH) Featuring Gordon Kesting, Vice President of Federal Sales and Business Development, D-Fend SolutionsFriday, October 2, 202612:00 pm - 1:00 pm ET Small, commercial, and do-it-yourself drones are creating significant security and operational risks for defense critical infrastructure and other sensitive environments. For architecture, engineering, and construction professionals, counter-UAS planning can affect site design, communications resilience, personnel safety, security-system integration, and continuity of operations. Traditional countermeasures present important challenges. Jamming may disrupt authorized communications or cause unpredictable drone behavior, while kinetic interception can introduce falling debris, collateral damage, and other safety concerns. Detection technologies also have different coverage limitations, reinforcing the need for a risk-based, multilayer approach. This educational session will examine the emergence and critical role of radio-frequency cyber, or RF-Cyber, as a non-kinetic C-UAS technology for sensitive environments. Participants will learn how RF-Cyber can detect, identify, locate, and track the majority of small, commercially-available, and DIY drones and, when appropriate, take control of an unauthorized drone to produce a controlled outcome. The session will compare RF-Cyber with traditional detection and mitigation approaches and explain how different technologies can complement one another within a layered architecture. Using representative facility scenarios, the program will provide A/E/C professionals with a practical framework for evaluating drone threats, operational environments, safety requirements, integration needs, and continuity priorities when planning and designing secure, resilient facilities. Learning Objectives<ul><li>Identify drone threats and their potential safety, security, and operational impacts in sensitive environments.</li><li>Compare RF-Cyber, jamming, and kinetic countermeasures based on safety, communications interference, collateral risk, controlled outcomes, and operational continuity.</li><li>Apply an objective framework for incorporating RF-Cyber and complementary technologies into multilayer C-UAS planning for secure, resilient facilities.</li></ul>Learning UnitsThis virtual session offers one (1) Professional Development Hour (PDH) certified by the SAME DC Post for live participants. CAPACITYThis event is limited to 100 attendees. Once capacity is reached, the event will be "sold out" and will no longer accept registrations to attend. Only registered participants will receive the PDH certificate and opt-in attendee list after the live session. A copy of the presentation slides and recording will be available on the SAME DC Post's website after the webinar. TICKETSRegistration is free for SAME Members and full time students. Non-Members are welcome for a $25 non-refundable fee. Webinar login details will be shared on the Friday morning of the session at 10 am and again 10 minutes before the session (ET). ---ABOUT THE PRESENTERGordon KestingVice President of Federal Sales and Business DevelopmentD-Fend Solutions Mr. Kesting is Vice President of Federal Sales and Business Development. He drives growth in defense, homeland security and public safety markets. Gordon previously held positions at leading defense companies including prime contractors and mid-tier firms such as Hughes Aircraft Company/Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems, and DRS Technologies. In his most recent role at Elbit Systems of America, Gordon led the company’s growth into the homeland security and international foreign military markets. He holds a BS in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois, an MS in electrical engineering from the University of California at Los Angeles and an MBA from Pepperdine University. D-Fend Solutions<a href="https://www.d-fend.com" target="_blank">https://www.d-fend.com</a> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/d-fend-solutions/" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/company/d-fend-solutions/</a> ---ABOUT YOUR VIRTUAL HOSTWhitney Stowell, SAME DC Post Webinar Host | Cribworks<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitney-stowell" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitney-stowell</a>    Whitney Stowell is the CEO and Founder of Cribworks, a sales and business development consulting firm based in Washington, DC. With more than 15 years of industry experience across commercial, startups and government contracting, Whitney has worked in marketing, business development, corporate strategy and government affairs across a diverse range of small and large businesses, including Signify (formerly Philips Lighting), Major League Rugby (MLR) franchise Old Glory DC, Royal Philips, Elbit Systems of America, Chenega Corporation, and the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs within the United States Senate. Whitney sits on the Board of Directors for the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) DC Post in Washington DC, a non-profit organization that collaborates with both government and private sector on national security infrastructure challenges. Whitney is an active member throughout the local rugby community, recently serving as President of the Washington Irish Rugby Football Club and works with local youth rugby clubs throughout the area. Whitney is also active in various organizations throughout the Washington DC, such as Bunker Labs, Smart Cities Group, Association for United States Army (AUSA), USA Rugby, and others. He served as the SAME DC Post President in 2024. ---WEBINAR REFUND POLICYThis event is non-refundable (ALL SALES FINAL) for paid ticket holders. Please note that not all jurisdictions or organizations accept PDH certificates for continuing education.---Designed for architects, engineers, and construction professionals supporting federal and defense work, the webinar supports SAME’s mission to sustain our nation’s infrastructure and national security. Register NOW to secure your place and receive access details. ---CALL FOR FIRST FRIDAY WEBINAR PRESENTATIONSDo you have an educational topic you would like to present during our monthly First Friday Webinar Series? Presentations will be selected based on how the program will provide high-quality and valuable professional development for the A/E/C community, presentation topics that provide thought leadership and insight into current industry challenges, and solutions that are available beyond your organization’s specific product or service. Presentations that promote specific companies, products, or services will not be selected. Please complete the online form to share your topic and learning objectives with the SAME DC Post Programs Committee.<a href="https://form.jotform.com/samedcprograms/first-friday" target="_blank">https://form.jotform.com/samedcprograms/first-friday</a> --- QUESTIONSPlease contact the SAME DC First Friday Director, Bree Beal at <a href="mailto:bbeal@kcct.com" target="_blank">bbeal@kcct.com</a>  or <a href="mailto:programs@samedc.org" target="_blank">programs@samedc.org</a>. Watch all previous SAME DC Post First Friday Sessions on our YouTube Channel:<a href="//www.youtube.com/@samedcprograms" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/@samedcprograms</a>  SAME DC Post<a href="//www.same.org/dcpost" target="_blank">www.same.org/dcpost</a>

SAME DC Post

SAME DC Post First Friday Webinar - October 2 , 2026 - Drone Threats

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