“James A. Acevedo’s The Drone Revolution is not simply a book about drones. It is a warning, a field guide, and a call to action for anyone responsible for protecting people, property, critical infrastructure, or the public. James understands what many organizations still miss: the real threat is not the machine; it is the intent, adaptability, and imagination behind it. He connects unmanned systems across air, land, and sea to the timeless fundamentals of security: threat, vulnerability, consequence, and the need to deter, detect, delay, and respond. Written in a direct and practical voice, this book moves the conversation beyond flashy technology and into operational readiness. Security leaders, law enforcement professionals, policymakers, and concerned citizens should read it before the next incident forces them to.”
Charles “Chuck” Andrews, CPP
Former Chief of Police and Chief Security Officer
Founder and Chairman, Friends of Chuck (FOC)
Author of Yes, S.I.R.
“James A. Acevedo has written a timely and thought-provoking book that challenges leaders to rethink risk in an era of rapidly advancing technology. Drawing on decades of security experience, he offers practical insights into how unmanned systems are reshaping the threat landscape and why preparedness matters. Whether you agree with every conclusion or not, this book deserves the attention of anyone responsible for protecting people, operations, or critical assets.”
Robert L. Dodge
CEO, Prosegur Global Risk Services
“Years ago, when I was first seeking to understand the risks facing people and organizations from the use of drones, I came across James A. Acevedo, who was the closest thing to an expert that I had ever met. Now, over a decade later, he has written a detailed compendium of the core ideas to understand and decide on the strategies that are right for you. The book challenges the reader to consider how they see risk, and its assessment, in a 3-dimensional world and highlights the countermeasures available. He also rightly calls out some of the legal risks that face professionals when deciding on what defensive posture and threat responses to consider based on appropriate jurisdiction. No matter where you land on these issues, this is seminal work that will need to be tracked and considered.”
Dave Tyson
CEO, ARQ Labs
Former President, ASIS International
“I’ve known James for many years, and one thing I’ve always respected is his passion for understanding where security is heading, not just where it is today. The Drone Revolution is exactly that. It’s practical, thought-provoking, and written by someone who’s spent decades in the security profession rather than simply studying it. What I particularly enjoyed is that James takes a complex and rapidly evolving topic and makes it accessible without losing credibility. He challenges the reader to think differently about the future of security while never losing sight of what matters most: protecting people. If you work in security, risk management, executive protection, or simply have an interest in emerging technology, this is well worth reading.”
Lee Oughton
Executive Vice President, Global Support
Concentric Advisors
Author of The Kindness Games
“James A. Acevedo moves beyond the technology to reveal how autonomous systems are transforming the future of security. Security professionals will gain a practical framework for understanding emerging threats and preparing their organizations for what’s next.”
Michael White, CPP, CRM, SAS-AP, CPD
President / Forensic Security & Risk Management Consultant
Michael White Group International
“James A. Acevedo is the kind of expert who sees emerging threats long before the rest of us, and his decades of experience come through in a writing style that is direct, personable, and engaging. It feels more like a conversation than a technical manual. While some may read this as a wake-up call for corporate security leaders, I came away with a different perspective: most security professionals already understand the drone threat; the real challenge is the lack of practical, affordable, and legally viable options to address it. That’s what makes this book valuable, not because it convinces you the threat exists, but because it clearly articulates why meaningful action has been so difficult and why the conversation needs to continue.”
Chris Anquist
Senior Director
Veritas Solutions
“This book brings the concept of drones from back-alley concerns and entertainment wonder into vivid, high-definition focus and opportunities. James does a fantastic job engaging the reader at the intersection where eloquent wordsmithing meets snarky quips. The book is filled with some of the most comprehensive drone information on the market, delivered in one of the most fun reads I have had the pleasure of reading in a while. This is a must-read book for anyone who is tasked with mitigating drone risks, and anyone who needs to understand simple drone truths, from security professional to soccer mom.”
Jon Polly
Chief Solutions Officer
ProTecht Solutions Partners
“A chilling, necessary wake-up call. James A. Acevedo exposes the exact security blind spots we can no longer afford to ignore. The Drone Revolution is a cry of urgency; it’s a read that blends deep operational wisdom with hard-hitting reality. More than just a book, it is a critical toolkit for surviving an asymmetric world where physical perimeters no longer exist. James forces you to re-examine everything you thought you knew about safety, turning complex technology into a masterclass in critical thinking. He has crafted an indispensable guide to modern security that stays with you long after the final page. You will never look at the sky the same way again.”
Charles “Chip” Dick
FBI-Retired
FBI National Academy Instructor
Vice President, Strategic Initiatives, AirSight
"Imagine that you have a best friend who’s spent decades in the security field dealing with threats long before most people knew they were threats, and he’s sitting down with you in your backyard talking about what he’s been doing for the past thirty years. Meet James Acevedo.
This book is a concise, accessible presentation of the current state of unmanned, autonomous vehicles (drones) written both for the security practitioner and for parents. As someone who is both, I appreciate how each section is laid out to address the specified audience.
The section for security practitioners summarizes each chapter with concise statements concerning the threat, the vulnerability, and the consequences discussed in each chapter. If you need a “speed run” through the book, reading those last paragraphs will at least give you enough information to be aware of the big picture. Don’t do that, though, because you’ll miss a treasure-trove of insight and experience that James shares in the rest of the book.
The section for parents ends the chapters with what parents really want to know: “what this means for your family.” It is not just a watered-down version of the previous chapters; it is fresh insights from the perspective of a family man concerned for his family’s safety. The section for parents is short and concise, and written at a level that I believe is accessible to practically everyone.
This is THE “must read” book for anyone who is concerned about the impact drones have on our world today."
Glyn Thomas Gowing, PhD
Professor of Computer Science
LeTourneau University
“James is a forerunner in bringing attention to the threats posed by drones. From the battlefields in Europe and Asia to garage-built DIY lone actors, he continues to educate the lessons learned to a wider audience with this book. The threats posed by drones are an asymmetric risk we’re only just starting to prepare for. As he says, Get after it.”
Drew Weston, CPP
“James Acevedo has captured in his latest book on the topic of drone operations an impressive amount of specific, pertinent, and factual data. As the Owner and Managing Partner of an international Training and Exercise firm that touches this subject on occasion, this book will be an invaluable resource in the classroom, on exercises, and in the field on real-world operations. It is a must-read for those involved in the ever-changing unmanned aircraft industry.”
Todd Manns
Founding Owner / Managing Partner
The Blue Cell