TSCM | Technical Surveillance Countermeasures

In today’s interconnected world, organizations are looking for that competitive edge that will thrust them ahead of their competition, and sometimes they will go to great lengths and unethical means to get that edge — enter espionage. For organizations that suspect corporate espionage, a full security risk assessment may be necessary, starting with a Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM) exam.

When energy moves through an electronic circuit, some of it is converted to heat, which creates low frequency light waves. Small bugging devices — audio bugs, micro video cameras, recorders, and wiretap or video transmitters — require little energy to operate but still create some light waves.

The infrared thermal imagers used in IR are sensitive enough to detect even the smallest light waves created from slightly elevated temperatures to pinpoint where bugging devices are located… or, in some cases, where they were once located.

The most common type of eavesdropping devices used in surveillance are wireless audio bugs, or small microphones that convert sound waves into electrical signals and transmit them to receivers using radio frequencies. Bugs are inexpensive, readily available, and depending on the device, can broadcast continuously for up to 37 days — long enough to be placed inside a conference room a month before an important new product or board meeting.

Fortunately, bugs are also relatively easy to uncover using a tactic called Full Radio Frequency (RF) Spectrum Analysis. When properly performed, RF detector sweeps are not intrusive or disruptive and can detect, identify, and locate transmitting devices from a considerable distance, such as a supply room, warehouse, or even a nondescript delivery truck across the street.

In addition to a high-tech sweep for malicious audio and video devices, there must be a thorough physical search for:

When it comes to detecting corporate espionage, it’s not always about advancing technology. There is no substitute for well-trained eyes and experienced, deft hands.