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”.

During a routine TSCM sweep a bugging device had been found embedded in a chair in the hotel room used by the All Blacks rugby team. Sweeps can be important for any business, and sports teams as well. Information discussed prior to major games could be desirable from many directions- the opposing team, news media, not to mention gambling and possible organized crime activities. In this case however, it appears that the security consultant hired to help protect the team had ideas of his own and is now charged with planting the device himself. The risk posed by insiders to any corporation is significant. Employees, executives, vendors, and consultants could all come under suspicion.

Our surveillance detection department has discovered an increase in spy activity coming from foreign actors to the north. Images leaked by NPA contractor Edward Snowflake (North Pole Agency) reveal what appears to be a secret command post manned by Kris Kringle and a team of highly skilled hackers.

Deloitte is looking to hire a federal contracts manager, a federal cybersecurity consultant and is even advertising for military officers with top-secret government clearances. What none of the people applying for those jobs know — and few of the people doing the hiring know, either — is the secret history of Deloitte's robust federal practice.