Use Surveillance Detection Routes (SDRs) The best way to avoid surveillance is by varying your routine and avoiding routes you habitually use. If both of these have a good vantage point to your front door or street that may indicate you are being watched. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The duration of the surveillance is a major factor and shows why its difficult to detect the common burglar or crime of opportunity. Structural Countermeasures Since sweeping such a vast area for possible spies would be impractical, walking and talking with someone on a busy, noisy street is a fairly effective way to elude this method of eavesdropping. Tools to give you the advantage over any Imminent Threats that come your way. Professional sweeping devices are very expensive. Or are you limited with both and want to expose those conducting surveillance on you and your principal? This is when the target (you in this case) leaves a location and starts moving. Make them move on to the easy target or make them realize they are going to have a fight on their hands. So you need to play it smart here. Pull into a rest area and let traffic go past. All of these scenarios could have been detected much earlier beforethey escalated and appropriate counter measures could have stopped each situation inits tracks. WebTechnical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM) can best be defined as The systematic physical and electronic examination of a designated area by properly trained, qualified and equipped persons in an attempt to discover electronic eavesdropping devices, security hazards or security weaknesses. The TAC team Im assigned to once followed a guy who was making all those moves. For those responsible for IT systems, cybersecurity methods such as access control, firewalls and general employee education on issues such as password best practice are essential. The ultimate aim of counter-surveillance tactics is to identify the team or individual that is monitoring you and taking appropriate action afterward. WebJust as terrorists conduct surveillance before hitting a target, it is common for the crooks of the world to carry out intelligence gathering (very much an ironic term in this instance) prior to striking, regardless if the goal is kidnapping, robbery, assault, or simple burglary. Counter surveillance is a technique used to detect and recognize ongoing surveillance to develop suitable countermeasures. This shows how the small things you do can confuse and mislead the information collection process. An officer was stationed overseas and each morning before leaving for work he would lift the hood of his car and look around and under the engine. Speeding up, slowing down, making three right turns, stalling at a green light, taking a one way street, and making a dead stop are a few techniques you can use. Same as the really old wordcounterattack. There is a common sequence of events that takes place during surveillance: Surveillance is also used to confirm your arrival immediately prior to an attack. Look at the people along your route. In fact, any time you are involved in an accident your privacyis endangered. Dash Cams: they can be installed on your dash and are in some cases, very difficult to spot if you dont look closely for them. [11], In 2011, Defence Minister Peter MacKay authorized a program to search telephone and internet usage for suspicious activities. Get the latest news and articles from EP Wired. Hazmat crews and many fire trucks routinely carry such equipment with them, and they would probably be the first to detect abnormal levels One definition I like is The secret, continuous, periodic watching of persons, vehicles, places or objects to obtain information concerning the activities and identities of individuals. Its all about information gathering. You do not need a Chester the Molester or Free Candy van to work covert surveillance cases. Lets now highlight the differences between counter-surveillance and anti-surveillance. The word surveillance really means to observe.. Transparent Lives is a prominent Canadian organization that aims to "demonstrate dramatically just how visible we have all become to myriad organizations and what this meansfor better or for worsefor how we conduct our everyday lives."[14]. This is why you must learnto recognize and defeat unlawful and malicious infringements of your privacy. As these prefixes mean against, it would be hard to establish commonly accepted criteria pointing to which actions or tasks areAntiand which areCounter. Yourecognize the person approaching the doorfrom the greasy diner you visited earlier inthe day. In fact, you should be aware that any premeditatedcrime was likely preceded by some form of reconnaissance. You have some factors working for you as well. WebCounter surveillance techniques are intended to combat the harmful impact of surveillance tactics. You're signed up for the American Outdoor Guide Boundless newsletter. Bugs that do not emit radio waves are very difficult to detect, though there are a number of options for detecting such bugs. Lens detectors to detect the lenses of wired or wireless concealed covert cameras. There is a person blocking the roadwith a vehicle for no apparent reason. Of course, the best plan goes out the window when the bullets start to fly, but you will greatly enhance your (and your families) chances of coming out alive. Countersurveillance refers to measures that are usually undertaken by the public to prevent surveillance,[1] including covert surveillance. If you can deny information gathering and show yourself as a hard target you will force the attackers to make a couple of choices. An SDR is used to detect surveillance along your route but you have to have someone as your eyeball for it to be truly effective. getting "lost in the crowd" so that followers lose contact, No or little electronic equipment, which must be sealed after being used, Minimal furniture, preferably made of transparent materials, Prohibition of introduction of electronic equipment. Information on news, history and events both inside ITS and throughout the world. You do not recognize the vehicle and no one in your neighborhood parkson your narrow street. What do you have? WebHow can you tell if someone is following you?First of all, make sure you are doing the basic check to see if you are being followed. TSCM surveys, or bug sweeps, involve the systematic search for illicit bugs or eavesdropping devices. Depending on the situation, the person conducting the surveillance tactic will have to decide whether they will do so while walking or by using technical surveillance, like GPS-based tracking devices, email interception, telephone taps, or mobile phone monitoring. Amidst concerns over privacy, software countermeasures[2] have emerged to prevent cyber-intrusion, which is the unauthorized act of spying, snooping, and stealing personally identifiable information or other proprietary assets (e.g. Apassenger exits the vehicle behind you andstarts approaching your drivers door withone hand inside the zipper of his coat. 2009-2023 ITS Tactical // Imminent Threat Solutions. Full range of servicesIntelligence HubIntelligence TechnologyEsoteric Risk & AssuranceEsoteric TSCM & Counter-Espionage, Mitie, Level 12, The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street, London SE1 9SG, Mitie, 650 Pavilion Drive, Northampton Business Park, Northampton, NN4 7SL, Esoteric Ltd, The Links Business Centre, Old Woking Road, Old Woking, GU22 8BF. WebIf Dobson sounds a bit paranoid, thats because she graduated from spy school. Very sensitive equipment could be used to look for magnetic fields, or for the characteristic electrical noise emitted by the computerized technology in digital tape recorders; however, if the place being monitored has many computers, photocopiers, or other pieces of electrical equipment installed, it may become very difficult. What are your patterns? Understanding these counter-surveillance techniques can mean the difference between getting home safe or ending up in someones trunk. A van like that will cause every parent in the neighborhood to eye you with suspicion. Listen For Interference When Making A Call Most hidden cameras and microphones emit a tiny electromagnetic field when they transmit data. This type of SDR is only going to work if you are the only one that knows the area or if the person following you doesnt have GPS. WebHow can you tell if someone is following you?First of all, make sure you are doing the basic check to see if you are being followed. Since we are talking about individual techniques you wont have the luxury of having agents set up a Surveillance Detection Route. Switch up your parking spots and take different entrances into the parking area. The Kepler Cardigan from PDW: Versatile Adventurer Insulation. Of course, all the usual suspects come tomind. All in all, conscientious protective agents must continually remind themselves that somebody could be observing them. A business with fiercecompetition is also at risk for surveillance from their competitors. As I mentioned in the route survey article, you cannot be alert 100% of the time. As if their every move is recorded, they ought to conduct their daily affairs as though they are aware of someones watchful eye. EP Directory (Photo by iStock Photo) 1. If you can take something away from this article, then let it be this: be surveillance-aware! Every detection induces a reset in the attack. To counter these, techniques such as simply being situation-aware and avoiding certain locations can be sufficient to counter the threat of surveillance. Drive a boring vehicle. You think back through the events of the day and in hindsight, the warning signs were soclear. What they didnt know was he had an oil leak and he was just trying to figure out where it was coming from. WebTechnical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM) can best be defined as The systematic physical and electronic examination of a designated area by properly trained, qualified and equipped persons in an attempt to discover electronic eavesdropping devices, security hazards or security weaknesses. Technology for understanding the digital world and mitigating electronic threats. A van like that will cause every parent in the neighborhood to eye you with suspicion. 2023 epwired.com | All rights reserved. Best Wireless Security Cameras: Easy Setup, But Also Easy To Hack? A TSCM survey will provide a professional evaluation of the facility's technical security posture and normally will consist of a thorough visual, electronic, and physical examination in and about the surveyed facility. Anomalies are thered flags that trigger your brain to pay closer attention. Besides taps and bugs, specialized shotgun mikes can pick up your voice from a distance of up to 300 feet. WebCounter surveillance techniques are intended to combat the harmful impact of surveillance tactics. One crucial field consideration is that solo practitioners can perform surveillance detection (SD) too. What are your vulnerabilities? May 2002 - Jul 202220 years 3 months. Other scholars refer to this framework as Deter, Detect, React. You should also take notes of suspicious activity, vehicles and persons. There are entire private industries built around obtaining informationabout people. Attackers select a potential victim and begin collecting information. Passive or active detection methods may be used. It can activate within seconds and lets even new users sweep and identify different frequencies with ease. Medical Bag Updates: Repacking & Maintaining Over the Counter Medications Go-To Preparedness Bags and Food Selections Consider the Three Ps Before Packing for Your Next Trip All Apparel Body Armor Camouflage Dive EDC Eyewear Footwear Headwear Lighting Load Bearing Night Vision Packs The Kepler Cardigan from PDW: Versatile A good way to do this is to periodically glance sideways (at stores, cars, people, etc) and use peripheral vision to look behind you. Does a parked vehicle leave the area in the opposite direction each time you pass? Which service(s) are you interested in? Due to traffic jams or surveillance efforts by malefactors, we deem it wise to choose the right car [], [] In fact, the executive protection agent who takes care of you and your immediate surroundings is not looking for any trouble. Move your belongings away from the viewing angle (or dont use your phone or car for anything but the most basic activities like going grocery shopping, or checking the weather). In order to protect an organisation against the threat of physical interception and access, social engineering techniques such as Physical Penetration Testing can be used to examine how readily access can be gained into a building by a non-authorised individual and then to address any weaknesses in the physical security protocols. He had no idea he was being watched during the selection phase of a surveillance. Technical surveillance can also include optics such as binoculars, spotting scopes, night vision equipment, infrared cameras and wireless and remote images transmission technology. There are many types of surveillance detection and today well be continuing to apply concepts and tactics used by Personal Security Detail (PSD) teams, with ways to detect static and mobile surveillance along your routes. Drive a boring vehicle. CS basically turns the tables by conducting surveillance on the surveillance in order to collect more detailed information on it. Lets now highlight the differences between counter-surveillance and anti-surveillance. If they do make sure to write down the description of the vehicle and people. Some surveillance processes can take weeks or months of information gathering. WebJust as terrorists conduct surveillance before hitting a target, it is common for the crooks of the world to carry out intelligence gathering (very much an ironic term in this instance) prior to striking, regardless if the goal is kidnapping, robbery, assault, or simple burglary. Every once in awhile you can leave as normal and circle around the block right back to your house. In this case its your work address. Alternatively, you can make use of a net curtain. The little-knowntruth is that anyone can become thesubject of such activities for any reasonat any time. The best end location would be a cul-de-sac that has a sharp or continuous turn going into it, the kind that surprise you when you drive into it. When you ask what he is referring to he informs you that you just missed the movingcompany that left minutes ago. Counter Surveillance is defined as the actions that a person (or team) carries out, in order to detect that a person (Principal) is under The goals are to trick the attacker and prevent the attack by ending or thwarting the surveillance. Where are your valuables? He stands out to you becausehe is wearing baggy street clothes,but everyone in this part of town at thistime of day is wearing business clothes. You may just catch that burglar during his surveillance after all! By being in the wrongplace and time and mingling with the wrong people, you become apotential lead to follow. We explore the different countersurveillancemethods available including technical, cyber and structural measures. These usually covert techniques are an entirely other skill-set again. Once the attack has begun the attackers have a huge advantage. If you are attacked they have already assessed your physical security and routines. Countersurveillance may include electronic methods such as technical surveillance counter-measures, which is the process of detecting surveillance devices. Fortunately, the car remains parked and youcan see the driver put a phone to his ear. Advanced bugs can be remotely operated to switch on and off, and some may even rapidly switch frequencies according to a predetermined pattern in order to make location with sweepers more difficult. Where are you going? Learn how and when to remove this template message, List of counterintelligence organizations, "The Family of Technologies That Could Change The Privacy Dynamic", "Information Security Expert to Host Seminar on Counter Surveillance", "Edward Snowden, after months of NSA revelations, says his mission's accomplished", "New Miss Teen USA claims she was the victim of an online extortion plot", "SCEPTRE Signal Processing Software 3dB Labs", "Data-collection program got green light from MacKay in 2011", "Confirmed: Canada Has NSA-Style Surveillance Program", Counterintelligence and counter-terrorism organizations, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Countersurveillance&oldid=1122032092, Articles with dead external links from September 2022, Articles with permanently dead external links, Articles needing additional references from August 2013, All articles needing additional references, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. Having a camera, binoculars, or a notebook on the dashboard are dead giveaways. Health Department of disease surveillance is to predict, observe, and minimize the harm caused by outbreak,epidemic, andpandemic situations, as well as increase knowledge about which factors contribute to such circumstances. WebTo counter these, techniques such as simply being situation-aware and avoiding certain locations can be sufficient to counter the threat of surveillance. What could youhave done to actively stop this situation? ANOMALIES & THEIR KEY INDICATORS PEOPLE KEY INDICATORS: People that appear to be out of place You musttake away their initiative by being equally (or more) aware of them. You start to think you are being followed so you watch your mirrorlike a hawk as you pull out into the street. Be dialed in and keep your head on a swivel. By simply being alert and aware, the potential victim raises therisk level for the bad guy, which in somecases, is enough to make them seek otheropportunities. Surveillance Detection is a series of techniques that you can employ to identify if you are being followed. If you are dealing with trained subjects you have to show them you are switched on when you arrive at work just like you are at home. Understanding these counter-surveillance techniques can mean the difference between getting home safe or ending up in someones trunk.
