About Charles Patterson

Charles Patterson is the president, CEO, and primary consultant of Exec Security TSCM. He began working in the security field in 1978 in executive protection and related technical security services. He has been providing TSCM sweeps since 1995.

Deep fried computers. “USB Killer” destroys at least 66 computers at College of St. Rose.

USB sticks are a major insider threat concern, but usually for either copying and stealing confidential files or possibly installing malware onto a computer or network. This case involves a USB stick designed deliberately to destroy computers. A former student of College of St. Rose in Albany, NY purchased a "USB Killer" thumb drive. It is a device adapted to convert USB voltage to higher levels and feed it back into the computer thereby destroying at least the USB port and possibly much more.

2019-05-02T20:24:04-04:00May 2nd, 2019|
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International news: Columbia looking into bugging of Constitutional Court

Colombia’s prosecutor general has launched an investigation into the possible eavesdropping of the Constitutional Court that complained about possible bugs and wiretaps earlier this week. Colombia’s constitutional court said on Sunday it had been meeting in Club Nogal outside its normal offices citing suspicions that the court’s own offices are bugged and phone lines are being intercepted.

2019-05-02T20:19:55-04:00May 2nd, 2019|
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Holidays ripe for spy gear.

While trying to grab some last minute Christmas gifts I couldn't help but notice a large display of eavesdropping devices at throw-away prices. Be on the look out as such covert devices become more and more popular. They may start showing up in your office.

2018-12-26T21:55:08-05:00December 26th, 2018|
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SEC does not approve of insider trading after eavesdropping. (Minnesota man finds out the hard way.)

How valuable is conversation? Much of your day to day conversation may need to be kept confidential. Even if you know you are discussing critical, private matters, those around you may not have the same understanding. Eavesdropping resulted in $140,000 in fines for a Minnesota man who eavesdropped on his wife's conference calls.

2018-11-10T20:28:39-05:00November 10th, 2018|
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Eavesdropping digital recorder accidentally discovered in confidential board meeting- Camden, Delaware.

Conducting sweeps of conference rooms prior to confidential meetings is critical if you want to protect the information being discussed.  A felony wiretapping charge is being brought against a past board member due to the discovery of a hidden digital recorder being discovered during a confidential meeting. It was found when a participant in the meeting accidentally knocked a TV remote off of a table and found the recorder hidden under a cloth when retrieving the remote. It was determined that it had been recording for over an hour.

2018-09-30T18:41:42-04:00September 30th, 2018|
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Trade Secrets need protection – LG Display sweeps boardroom for eavesdropping devices

In all major industries, conversations in board rooms and meeting rooms contain the most valuable and critical information. This article looks at reports of LG Display conducting sweeps in their Seoul office, recent theft of trade secrets cases, and the value of professional TSCM in protecting board rooms and securing trade secret discussions.

2018-09-28T23:03:43-04:00September 28th, 2018|
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Workplace surveillance: School District spends thousands on private investigations.

Albuquerque Public Schools keeps an eye on it’s employees. May seem reasonable considering all the concerns regarding those responsible for our children. How they go about it may be up for discussion.


ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) Aug 15, 2018 – A federal court is deciding if Albuquerque Public Schools violated the privacy of its employees by hiring a private investigator to record them at work. So just how often is APS hiring private investigators, and why?

Frank Davis is an attorney representing two APS employees in a federal lawsuit. Scott Elder is the Chief Operating Officer for APS.

The two are at odds on an issue of privacy in a public workplace.

Elder told KRQE News 13 that the school district is well within its right to hire private investigators, while Davis argues what APS did to his clients is against the law.

“I was pretty surprised and shocked honestly […]

2018-08-24T21:40:23-04:00August 24th, 2018|
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Nashville man spied on co-worker with baby monitor

Nashville, TN, police arrested a man after they say he used a baby monitor to spy on a female coworker in her Sylvan Heights home. Baby monitors and other off-the-shelf communications devices work well as tools for eavesdropping and surveillance. Be on the lookout for any unauthorized or out-of-place devices that may be spotted in your place of business or your home. ...and you may want to check under your bed before you go to sleep tonight.

2018-07-18T18:30:18-04:00July 18th, 2018|
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Keep ’em guessing. Simple countermeasures work to block sports spying.

When there is a lot at stake, such as at the World Cup tournament, spying among sports teams is almost expected. Businesses might learn something from South Korean coach Shin Tae Young's attitude. Your competition always wants to find out as much as they can about you and your activities. Sometimes they may overstep ethical boundaries, so you should always be prepared and plan regular pro-active countermeasures.

2018-06-20T20:20:31-04:00June 20th, 2018|
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From bugs to bombs, Seabees protect US embassies from threats.

A military unit that helped secure U.S. diplomatic compounds for decades has seen its mission grow as security threats have escalated from bugs buried in embassy walls to car bombs driven up to embassy gates. A small group of Navy Seabees, known as the Naval Support Unit - State Department, has played a largely behind-the-scenes role implementing technical measures to combat threats abroad since the 1960s.

2018-05-02T20:05:58-04:00May 2nd, 2018|
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