Sensor validation is the process of checking whether a sensor produces reliable data under expected conditions. It can include calibration checks, range checks, timing checks, cross-comparison with other sensors, and tests for noise or drift. The goal is not only to see whether a device is working, but whether its output is trustworthy enough for control or decision-making.
In cyber security, sensor validation matters because attackers often target the input layer. Spoofed GPS, jammed radar, forged telemetry, or manipulated readings can mislead autonomous systems, drones, and industrial controls. Good validation helps detect anomalies, reject impossible values, and trigger fallback logic when data looks suspicious. In defense, it is a key part of building resilient systems that can keep operating safely even when sensors are degraded, tampered with, or partially unreliable.