Rolls Royce has introduced their new "Privacy Suite" for the Phantom extended wheelbase model. No more listening in (from the front seat) to the conversations of the CEO or celebrity, in the rear. The Privacy Suite uses electrochromatic glass (also known as "smart glass") to separate the front seats from the rear compartments. They have also added a "frequency specific" sound-absorption material that inhibits the transmission of conversations from the rear to the front of the vehicle.

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.

A camera was discovered on September 14 in the office of Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno when staff noticed a warm spot on the wall. Moreno later claimed that former President Correa was spying on him. The camera was apparently installed many years ago but his daily countermeasures sweeps didn't notice it.

A recording device found in the Ray County, MO commissioners’ office. The device was discovered late Friday morning, May 19, just before a meeting among the commissioner, a prosecuting attorney, and the sheriff. The secretary discovered it lying on the chair when she was arranging chairs for the meeting.

I had the privilege to be interviewed by Chuck Harold of SecurityGuyRadio.com. He has a weekly podcast and YouTube channel discussing all aspects of security. We discussed TSCM, eavesdropping detection, bug sweeps and other security concerns.

A lawsuit has been filed claiming that a unit of Panasonic Corporation secretly bugged a conference room where a business partner was holding a confidential meeting. Panasonic Avionics is accused of stealing confidential, proprietary information related to the software used to run in-flight entertainment systems.

Too often employees do not understand that they are the caretakers of privileged information and the must treat it with confidentiality and respect.

Even basic information such as the time and place of a meeting could give an enemy or competitor a chance to set up unauthorized surveillance or other attack. Be sure to educate your employees, staff, contractors, and meeting participants that the information they may be receiving is private and confidential and is not to be shared.

Some of these points were brought home by the 2017 Superbowl ad for Avocados From Mexico.  It’s a cute ad, but whether you like avocados or not, it does points out that many people may not understand the value and sensitive nature of what is being discussed in your meetings.

Turning off sound-masking, internal leaks, posting meeting info on social media are all problems of the “Secret Society”.