Capabilities

Equipment utilized in a TSCM survey:

We use only state-of-the-art, industry-standard electronic detection equipment.  Depending on our analysis of the equipment needed for a particular job, it will most likely include:

1.  An Omni-Spectral Correlator.  This provides the most reliable and cost effective detection capability in the industry, including detection of sophisticated transmitters (frequency-hopping, burst/packet, and spread spectrum).

2.  A Counter-Surveillance Probe/Monitor.  This is used to detect and locate all major types of electronic surveillance devices including room, phone, body bugs, video transmitters, and tape recorders.  

3.  A Non-Linear Junction Evaluator.  This provides the capability to detect hidden electronic devices, regardless of whether the device is radiating, hard wired, or even turned on.

4.  A thermal imager.  This senses the tiniest amount of heat and displays images by temperature rather than light.  As all electronic equipment produces some heat, this is used to detect electronic equipment buried in walls, ceilings, furniture, etc.

5.   Optical reflectometer.  This laser device detects camera optics which may be installed covertly in walls or electronic devices (clocks, lamps).

6.  Telephone Analyzer.  Used to test conventional single and multi-line telephones and the new technology electronic telephone, including hybrids with analog audio, and full digital phones. Tests such as on-hook voltage, off-hook voltage, on-line listen, tone sweep, high voltage pulse test and all wire combination listen tests can be conducted.

7.  Other equipment used includes oscilloscopes, signal generators, noise generators, boroscopes, multimeters, line analyzers, infrared viewers, and physical search equipment.

Procedures used in a typical sweep:

The following is a simplification of a TSCM sweep, which is a time-and-labor-intensive process utilizing specialized equipment and skills, and would be difficult to describe in detail:

1.  Initial meeting with client regarding scope of work, discussion of threats, building plans provided by client.  Agreement reached regarding resolution of any eavesdropping equipment or security hazard discovered during sweep.

2.  Preliminary work includes review of building plans, exterior reconnaissance, and exterior (baseline) RF sweep.

3.  Passive non-alerting inspection in selected areas.  This will include an initial sweep for RF devices, light-spectrum sweep, and infrared sweep for concealed cameras.

4.  Active non-alerting inspection.  This includes thermal imagery, electronic inspection of electrical outlets, switches, thermostats, smoke detectors, speakers, wallplates, and office equipment.  Telephone instruments are analyzed during this phase.

5.  Alerting phase.  Ladders are brought in, ceiling tiles removed, above-ceiling wiring identified and resolved, HVAC ductwork inspected; non-linear junctions detected and resolved; physical inspection of all junction boxes and lighting fixtures; wires traced to source and mapped; alarm, fire, audio systems verified; office equipment physically inspected and evaluated.  Telephone switch rooms and wiring closets are also fully inspected during this phase.

6.  Additional services available include tagging of wires; sealing and/or tamper marking vulnerable devices, wires, and equipment; evaluation of locks, doors, alarms, CCTV, and other security measures.

7.  After completion of the inspection, results can be discussed with client.  A full written report is later prepared which includes inspection results, threat evaluation, and security recommendations.

Recommendations:

We normally recommend consideration of TSCM surveys in the following areas (other specific areas may be unique to your company):

1.  Conference rooms wherein sensitive information is discussed.

2.  Executive suites.

3.  Boardrooms.

4.  Legal counsel offices.

5.  Trading floors.

6.  Satellite offices if information generated or discussed there is sensitive.

7. Off-site business meetings, such as hotel conference rooms.  This is an extremely vulnerable area for both intentional and unintentional security lapses

8.  Vehicles and aircraft in some situations.  The vehicle sweep should include tracking devices as well as audio interception devices.

9.  Telephone frame rooms and other communication hubs.

In short, any area which your company considers important to protection of information, and any area which can be used to penetrate these areas, should be considered for TSCM surveys.