Company Info
Policies
Profile
Memberships
Contact
Intake

Other Info
Links
Attorneys
Site Map
Home

Technical Surveillance Counter Measures

More than ever before in history, we are now seeing information theft as a real threat to the future viability of many businesses. The theft of proprietary information is estimated to cost businesses billions of dollars through the loss of business deals or compromised acquisition plans and strategies, often causing irreparable damage to the business entity. Protecting privacy and safeguarding confidential information and intellectual property is the ultimate goal of an effective TSCM program.

When the theft of proprietary information does occur the potential loss can be devastating; no matter how large or small the business might be. Businesses must honestly evaluate what their business information may be worth to competitors in order to effectively evaluate the potential damage by the surreptitious loss of this information from eavesdropping of your business meetings, attorney discussions, or personal conversations.

Considering the many methods of illicitly obtaining information the electronic theft of information is often the most difficult to detect. The human element and physical security issues are of obvious concern and all too often the singular focus of security to many businesses; but of equal concern and the most effective and difficult to detect is electronic eavesdropping or ‘bugging’.

An effective Technical Surveillance Counter Measures (TSCM) program considers not only security and detection but also recognizes the potential threat and damage of electronic technical intrusion. In fact, physical security and technical security protocols must be an integrated process; constantly vigilant, frequently tested, assessed and reassessed to determine the current effectiveness in preventing unauthorized interception of confidential information and the introduction of technical surveillance devices.

In today’s technically advanced marketplace, sophisticated devices available to anyone are of superior quality and miniaturized to the degree that they can be installed and easily concealed with little or no training. In fact, unwary computer users themselves may unknowingly install intercepts on computer systems. To locate these technically advanced listening devices of today, high tech equipment and expertise is required.

The Economic Espionage Act of 1996 entitles U. S. companies to legal protection from espionage; however to be eligible for this protection, your company must demonstrate due diligence by taking proactive and preventative measures to protect your proprietary information. Many companies are now preparing for threats of competitive intelligence and trade secret theft. Your first step in the direction of increased corporate security is the implementation of an effective Technical Surveillance Counter Measures program.


Recognizing the Signs
If you suspect that your private and confidential conversations, communication, or other forms of information are not as private as you would like, then you should consider whether covert electronic technical surveillance, an unknown individual, or even an employee might well have compromised you or your business.

If you suspect or have reason to believe that your conversations or private information are being compromised, you should contact New England Investigation Services to evaluate your current security procedures and practices and discuss the counter surveillance measures you should consider.

Our experience has shown that many of our clients have simply had no more than a “gut” feeling or other unclear indication that something was wrong, and prior to contact with us had obtained very little in the way of factual evidence to document their suspicions. Over time this suspicion persisted until considerable information had been compromised.

Often, by the time these clients had made contact with us the damage was already done and the eavesdropper was long gone. At this point, little can be done to identify the perpetrator or determine the true extent of the compromise to them or their business.

Therefore, it is necessary that you become aware of, and have a basic understanding of, some indicators that may suggest a compromise is occurring, or has previously occurred. You should also understand that you might observe one or more of the following indicators and that they may or may not indicate the existence of an actual technical compromise; also that there may not be any identifiable indications of compromise at all and you may well be or have been compromised.

Please examine the following indicators, which suggest the possibility of electronic compromise:

1. You learn that others have knowledge of your personal and private business matters that should not.
2. You experience an unauthorized intrusion and nothing appears to be missing.
3. Locks appear to have been tampered with or left vulnerable.
4. Unexplained new interference on your television (off air signals, not cable).
5. A radio has started drifting off frequency or unexplained interference
6. Physical evidence that ceiling tiles or panels have been tampered with.
7. Debris or dry-wall powder is observed on the floor or furniture.
8. Wall plate covers for telephone, switches, and outlets appear to have been tampered with.
9. You are or have experienced unusual tones, new sounds, static, or noise on your telephone.
10. You notice changes in the volume or line quality when using the telephone.
11. You have other credible information that suggests illegal monitoring may be occurring.

Please contact New England Investigation Services as soon as possible when you suspect there is valid reason to believe that you or your business may have been compromised. Our survey and analysis can minimize the loss of personal or business information and if nothing else provide you peace of mind knowing whether or not a compromise exists.

Please do not contact our office by any means of communication from the suspected compromised facility or your homes to avoid alerting the eavesdropper and the possible shut down of intercept devices. We will only discuss your suspicions and our services by a secure communications platform.

New England Investigation Services works with clients to detect the presence of technical surveillance devices, and to design and implement physical and information security strategies to improve your security systems and prevent the loss of proprietary business information.

We tailor our approach to the individual client to best ensure that our services address the risks associated with any potential or identified technical threat and to further assess and develop appropriate security procedures.

New England Investigation Services technical surveillance counter measures survey may include:

Telecommunications Assessment of all relevant wired and wireless communication systems and equipment and search for illicit communication intercepts such as hardwired telephone taps.
Physical Search of the business including ceiling, walls, floors, and furniture for the presence of hidden recording and transmission devices.
Electrical Supply Examination to detect the presence of technical surveillance devices or circuits, which may be used covertly as a transmission medium.
External Assessment to discover technical surveillance equipment or audio reception devices, which can be used to eavesdrop from external locations.
Spectrum Analysis monitoring to determine the presence of electronic activity in all areas subject to examination. We use technically advanced equipment to identify digital and analog audio devices and radio transmitters as well as video signals, emitted by covert technical surveillance devices.

Information security recommendations and a complete report will be provided as a result of our investigation and technical surveillance counter measure analysis regarding physical security, access control and existing information security procedures.


Intrusion Testing Services
New England Investigation Services also offers penetration-testing services to examine the vulnerability of your security system and procedures. We will test how effective your security systems and procedures are at preventing electronic and physical intrusions, and discuss and provide our recommendation for improving your current business security.

Our approach
New England Investigation Services’ team of security professionals with experience in telecommunications security and electronic intelligence gathering are constantly developing new counter measure capabilities as technology continues to evolve.

New England Investigation Services’ technical surveillance counter measures and security professionals have a wide range of experience providing technical surveillance counter measures, security analysis, and investigation services to the corporate and legal community.

Confidentiality is the cornerstone of New England Investigation Services. We never disclose any information about our clients and New England Investigation Services licensed professional investigators and Strategic Partners Group conduct all of our services; we do not subcontract our investigation services.

CONTACT US to discuss how we may best serve you.