All Blacks Bugging Scandal
In August of last year, news came out from Australia that 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 during their visit to Sydney.
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.
Security Chief Under Suspicion
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.
Adrian Gard is a consultant for BGI Security, which was contracted by the All Blacks during their Bledisloe Cup campaign. He has been charged with public mischief over the bugging incident.
Information received early on in the investigation threw some suspicion on Gard. Apparently the security consultant had handled both the chair and the device privately while alone in a room, then emerged with the slit upholstery and the device in his hands.
In a statement, All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen said the charge was “very hard to understand”. [Gard] “has worked for the All Blacks, and many other organisations, for a long time and is someone who is trusted and well-respected by us.” Hansen said it would not be proper to comment further as the case was before the courts.
Electronic sweep of a chair for listening devices.
Integrity
The fact that Gard was only charged with public mischief seems to indicate that he was not intent on deliberately stealing information but his integrity is now certainly called into question. This could be a case where an individual thought he could make a name for himself but ended up destroying his reputation in the process. Many people, even in the security field, often make light of listening devices and eavesdropping threats. As indicated by this incident, eavesdropping is not something to take lightly. With the abundance of spy devices available today there are many who just think of it as a game. The consequences, though, are very real.
When a Device is Found
If someone claims to have found a device on your premises, you will want to gather background information. This includes knowing circumstances surrounding it’s discovery, whether it had been disturbed or handled in any way prior to reporting, similar to the chain of evidence in criminal investigation. There may be a need to try to trace the device back to an original owner or source. Another consideration if an active device is found could be to leave it in place and feed false information to it in an effort to expose the perpetrators.
When studying any type of technical threat, it is important to understand the characteristics and capabilities of a device. This includes such things as battery power and battery life, transmitting distance, and audio capability. A number of these features may have shown that the device was not useful for eavesdropping from it’s found location, perhaps indicating that it may have been moved from a different location or.
When considering a TSCM bug sweep, always go with professionals with experience in the industry. Exec Security TSCM has been providing professional sweeps for over 20 years. Keep our number and email on hand and do not hesitate to call if you have any questions or even you just want a “second opinion”.