Optical Eavesdropping Threat
The optical eavesdropping threat is sometimes overstated and used as a scare story by security companies. QCC classifies the threat from optical eavesdropping to range from simple visual intrusion into office or sensitive areas up to the deployment of sophisticated laser microphone technology.
During a TSCM inspection QCC engineers check for the positioning and exposure of computer screens, AV and presentation equipment and the threat from the close proximity of adjacent buildings. On numerous occasions we have reported vulnerabilities from visual intrusion into highly confidential areas. Confidential documents and information left on white boards and presentation equipment that can easily be read by unauthorised persons outside the target area.
Types of optical security attacks
The first stage of a hostile intelligence gathering exercise against a company or organisation is often lead by information that can be gained from visual intrusion or waste paper theft. QCC considers this to be classified as an optical attack.
The more sophisticated form of optical eavesdropping is the use of fibre optic microphones and laser microphone systems. Fibre optic microphones use a fibre optic light signal that is transmitted along a fibre to the microphone pick up diaphragm. The diaphragm resonates with the audio within the target area and the reflected light is fed back down a second fibre optic cable to the receiver. The reflected light contains the modulated audio and is recovered and converted to a high quality audio signal for monitoring, recording or further relaying.
Fibre optic microphones provide very high quality audio, and have no metallic or electronic components at the front end of the device. The front end component used for picking up the target audio is constructed of plastic and glass and the light used for transmission and receiving is invisible to the human eye. This type of microphone is used by eavesdroppers who wish to gain high quality audio from within a target room, and reduce the chances of detection. These types of devices are difficult to detect without specialist techniques and equipment. QCC Interscan has extensively tested these types of devices and has a countermeasure and detection protocol especially designed to detect fibre optic microphones.
High tech optical eavesdropping
The high tech end of the optical eavesdropping range is the laser microphone; these systems operate in a similar way to the fibre optic microphone. QCC has recently seen evidence of this type of technology being used very effectively against a target location Laser microphone systems are deployed from a location within line of sight to the target location, it utilises invisible laser technology to reflect and collect room audio from hard surfaces within the target room. One invisible laser beam is directed into a room and aimed at a hard surface such as a picture frame or bookcase. The audio within the room is resonating with the hard surfaces of the room and the reflected laser beam will carry the audio modulated from the target hard surface. The reflected laser is then received by a matched unit then extracts the audio from the signal.
Commercially available laser microphone systems are very expensive and are often packaged to resemble SLR photographic cameras, or telescopes. The Audio quality from these systems can be of a high standard and some electronic filtering is employed to reduce the effects of the laser beam passing through the window glazing and into the room.
Laser microphone attacks are very difficult to detect unless an inspection is actually taking place at the time of an attack. A live attack can only be detected using specialist equipment and techniques. QCC recommends suitable counter measures for clients who may be at risk from this type of attack.
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...
