GSM Threat
In recent years the biggest threat and advance in eavesdropping technology has been in the area of GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) devices.
These devices use the mobile telephone infrastructure and technology to relay room audio to an eavesdropper in a remote location. The global nature of the mobile telephone network is such that a device planted in a boardroom in London can be monitored from any location in the world with a telephone connection either landline, cellular or Skype.
GSM based technology has made eavesdropping easier than ever
GSM based eavesdropping technology has also improved, the early devices were no more than modified mobile phone with poor sound quality due to the fact that the bandwidths available to the GSM system were very narrow. In addition the microphones used on these phones were designed to pick up audio from close range and were not suited for picking up room audio from a general area. However an increase in bandwidth on the mobile telephone network, improved stability and the advent of 3G services coupled with advances in microphone and device technology has improved the quality of the audio available from these devices immeasurably. GSM bugging devices can now pick up usable room audio within a 5 metre radius of the listening device.
GSM audio devices also have the advantage of some advanced features that are available to agents carrying out unauthorised audio surveillance. The new generation GSM bugging devices can have incorporated into their design, a range of features that enables the device to inform the eavesdropper when the room or area being monitored is occupied. Motion and Vibration detection, audio sensing circuits, light sensing circuits within the GSM bug can detect the presence of persons within then target area and send an SMS text message to the eavesdropper simply saying “Room Occupied.”
The person carrying out the surveillance then knows to phone into the GSM device and monitor or record the audio being relayed from the GSM listening device. New generation GSM bugging devices also have the facility of multi-switchable microphone inputs. A device could be installed above an office false ceiling and microphones run to locations above up to 4 meeting rooms/offices. The eavesdropper then has the ability via DTMF (keypad tones) to switch between microphones selecting audio from a number of different locations.
These devices can be either battery powered or where more permanent operation is required GSM audio surveillance devices can be wired directly into a permanent mains power source such as lighting or access control. QCC Interscan has recently uncovered battery and permanent wired GSM based eavesdropping devices in the UK and overseas. GSM based bugging devices are quite hard to detect and the signals can be often lost amongst legitimate GSM and mobile phone communications especially in urban areas.
Detecting and locating GSM based listening devices
QCC Interscan has had much success in detecting and locating GSM based eavesdropping devices and uses bespoke technical and physical search procedures to identify, confirm and locate the presence of GSM based bugging devices, in all radio and physical environments.
GSM eavesdropping devices with the features described above typically cost between £100 and £800 and are widely available in the UK and overseas through shops, mail order or internet companies.
Incident Response - Act Now
Act now if you suspect that you are under surveillance.
1. Cease all sensitive communications.
2. Remove yourself from the target area
3. Call QCC Interscan from a payphone on +44 (0)20 7353 9000
Technical Surveillance Counter Measures (TSCM)
QCC Interscan has been providing world class TSCM (bug sweeping) services to UK and Global clients since 1997.
Protecting your business from covert surveillance threats makes economic sense. We conduct professional and effective counter surveillance assignments to keep vour valuable information safe from prying eyes.
TSCM, also known as bug sweeping or counter surveillance, is the process of electronically and physically inspecting offices, buildings, vehicles, telephone systems and cabling for the presence of eavesdropping devices.
Read more...High Net Worth Individuals
QCC has particular experience dealing with the surveillance and privacy concerns of high level company executives, celebrities and high net worth individuals. Our specialist services include TSCM (bug sweeping) services, covering residential sites and executive vehicles. We also have extensive knowledge in performing security inspections and review services for ocean going yachts, private planes, and executive motor vehicles. QCC can also supply a range of products to further secure important individuals.
To discuss these and other executive protection services please call +44(0) 207 353 9000.
Read more...Specialist Vehicle Search
As part of our security inspection service for high profile company executives and high net worth individuals, we offer an extended security inspection service for executive vehicles. This includes all types of yachts, executive cars, limousines and private executive jets.
In the past few years QCC Interscan have completed increasing numbers of counter surveillance inspections and physical security reviews globally of numerous marine vessels, executive jets and company vehicles.
Physical Security Review
QCC Interscan offers clients an expert assessment service of the physical security arrangements for their business premises and assets.
This service inspects and reports on all aspects of physical security including locks, access control, CCTV, waste management, executive transportation and asset protection. The physical security review will also cover particular areas clients direct our attention to.
After conducting the security review, we provide clients with a full written report outlining the physical security arrangements in place and any findings and recommendations relating to the security of the areas or assets inspected.
Your security report
Your report can be used to specify the installation of necessary security architecture to protect premises and assets.
Additionally, the report is invaluable in highlighting vulnerabilities with the existing security arrangements or as a tool in formulating a physical security standard for use within your organisation.
For more information or to discuss how our Physical Security Review Service can assist your business please contact us on +44 (0) 20 7353 9000.
Tiger Testing Services
Tiger Testing is a special type of vulnerability test that originated in the United States Air Force who use it to test air base defences. The personnel who perform such testing are referred to as the Tiger Team.
Commercial Tiger Testing
Commercial Tiger Tests are beneficial to companies and organisations to highlight true physical, procedural or technical vulnerability and are especially useful in the maintenance of particularly valuable assets.
The aim of our Tiger Test is not to discover vulnerabilities but to gain unauthorised access to specified assets or areas of a business or organisation. Only then are the processes used to acquire those assets analysed, vulnerabilities assessed and suitable countermeasures implemented.
We maintain the original idea of the Tiger Test but apply this idea specifically to ‘Information and Assets’. Once a Client has specified which information or assets are ‘Target Assets’ (TAs), we use whatever non-violent means that would be reasonably available to a covert agent to try and acquire that Target Asset. Our experts backgrounds means that they are particularly well suited to perform specialist Tiger Testing.
QCC Interscan has deployed many Tiger Teams to evaluate and test a company or organisations security arrangements. This normally occurs before or after the commissioning of a review and evaluation program of physical security.
For more information on the benefits and procedures involved in Tiger Testing please contact QCC Interscan on +44 (0) 20 7353 9000.
Read more...GSM Telephone Evaluation
QCC Interscan has a dedicated telephone forensics unit offering an exclusive service to clients who are worried that their personal mobile telephones are being secretly monitored.
Many spy shops and on line surveillance equipment suppliers offer software packages that monitor mobile telephone conversations and text messages by an unauthorised agent. These phone bugging software packages are very difficult to detect without specialist equipment and knowledge.
As part of a TSCM program, QCC Interscan can inspect mobile telephones with our portable telephone forensic equipment.
In addition we offer a separate service that evaluates phones sent to us at our central London laboratory. After forensic evaluation we return the mobile phone via secure post with a full written report of the findings of the forensic analysis.
For more information on GSM telephone analysis contact QCC Interscan on +44 (0) 20 7353 9000.
Installing permanent bug detectors
New for 2010.
We can now offer a complete solution to large clients with the highest level anti-bugging requirements.
If your organisation requires a higher level of security than that afforded by regular manual TSCM sweeps, then talk to us about our newly developed systems for 'permanent, always-on radio and GSM bug detectors.'
Using advanced multiband detection our system allows individual rooms, office suites or entire buildings to be covered with a permanent bug sweeping umbrella, constantly monitoring and reporting on unauthorised eavesdropping.
Call us today to discuss whether this advanced option will suit your organisation's needs.
Read more...
High profile sports organisations
Sport is big business and high profile organisations and venues can be as much a genuine target for information thieves as any major multi-national corporation. Knowledge of the discussions that take place in a premier division football club's boardroom could be used by gamblers, conmen, newspapers, agents and rival clubs to make fortunes.
Read more...
