Swarm robotics is a relatively new technology that is being explored for its
potential use in a variety of dierent applications and environments. Previous
emerging technologies have often overlooked security until later developmen-
tal stages, when it has had to be undesirably (and sometimes expensively)
retrotted. We identify a number of security challenges for swarm robotics
and argue that now is the right time to address these issues and seek solu-
tions. We also identify several idiosyncrasies of swarm robotics that present
some unique security challenges. In particular, swarms of robots potentially
employ dierent types of communication channels; have special concepts of
identity; and exhibit adaptive emergent behaviour which could be modied
by an intruder. Addressing these issues now will prevent undesirable conse-
quences for many applications of this type of technology.