2021 update: originally posted in April of 2020, a year later this article is still very significant. Empty offices and increased work from home creates privacy and information security problems. Meetings once contained in a secure board room have now spread out to executive homes in multiple locations, each one with it's own inherent security vulnerabilities. The need for TSCM sweeps has moved to a new level.
A loner installed a listening device to eavesdrop on neighbors before launching a “carefully planned, premeditated” attack, where he used a crossbow to kill a council worker and seriously injured his girlfriend. This helps demonstrate the importance of TSCM for personal protection.
Cloud CCTV company Verkada suffers a breach exposing almost 150,000 cameras. Security measures in one area may just move the target to a different area. Click to read more.
I was happy to be on the Circuit Magazine podcast with Phelim Rowe and Elijah Shaw discussing TSCM and related security concerns. Click to learn more.
Morse code used to hide malicious URLs in a novel phishing attack.
CCTV cameras in your facility can be very important for security. At the same time, though, it is important to consider the privacy concerns of employees.
A courthouse in Jackson County, Alabama, had security cameras installed in 2019 after an incident involving firearms. This sounds quite appropriate, although […]
Two recent security podcasts discuss Technical Surveillance Countermeasures with Charles Patterson. "Conversations in Close Protection" is geared toward the executive protection professional and "The Risk Advisor" podcast is oriented more toward the corporate security director and business owner. Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy.
When you move into new facilities or new offices, and when previous executives move out, get transferred, or (especially) fired, that is an important time to have your offices swept for possible surveillance devices.
The former president of the Fraternal Order of Police in Chicago conveniently left behind a live covert video camera with remote access. […]
MLB General Manager caught on open mic creates an embarrassing situation. Once information has "left the building" it's difficult to get it back!
Where do you store your passwords? Recent blunders on TV reveal passwords in plain view of the camera.
On the evening of August 10, a burned-out car was found on a field with a dead body inside. Reports from Germany say there’s a high probability that the dead man is the alleged VW manager that secretly recorded confidential meetings.
The "VW Bug" takes on new meaning. Confidential meetings of the VW group were apparently systematically intercepted during years of disputes between Volkswagen and the supplier ASA Prevent Group. This is reported by the business magazine “Business Insider”. As a result, conversations from a special project group were secretly recorded in 2017 and 2018. How the almost 50 hours of material were created and used has so far remained unclear. The Prevent group told Business Insider that they had no knowledge of the audio recordings. How safe are your meetings?
It makes sense – home owners who put their houses on the market may have cameras installed but they could be not only watching but listening as well.
A lesson from this is to be aware of your surroundings where ever you may be. Cameras and microphones may be nearby.
https://www.fox5atlanta.com/video/837288
Six former employees of eBay, Inc. have been charged with leading a cyberstalking campaign targeting the editor and publisher of a newsletter critical of the company. The harassment included sending the couple anonymous, threatening messages, disturbing deliveries and conducting covert surveillance of the victims.
A video of a UK bugging incident has recently been released. Earlier this year, a contentious battle over the sale of the Ritz hotel in London, by the Barclay brothers, Sir Fredrick and David, resulted in a full on eavesdropping operation against Sir Frederick and his daughter.
A successful phishing attempt was made by someone impersonating a popular YouTube creator. A fake email address, pretending to be the popular electronics reviewer was used to request confidential information from an electronics manufacturer. Learn more about how this happened.
A past Superbowl ad highlights insider problems that often affect information security.
TSCM is closely related to cyber security and penetration testing, but often bridges other aspects of security as well.