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Consultancy Study on Future of Joint Security Industry Council
Courtesy: Mr. John Allan, Newsletter from International Institute of Security, UK
In the last issue of Institute News it was reported that the Security Industry Authority (SIA) and JSIC had sponsored a consultancy report into the needs of the private security industry (PSI), its requirement for dialogue with the UK Government and if there was a need for an organisation such as JSIC to represent the industry. The reports findings were presented on the 24th February 2006 and which basically concluded that there was a need to establish a form of Security Council that would be wholly representative of the PSI and also those UK Government stakeholder departments that require interfacing with it.
However, the report also accepted that JSIC in its present form was not wholly representative of the PSI, although it certainly accounted for a large proportion of it, and should be encouraged to continue with some funding from the UK Government and to play its part in the proposed new body.
On behalf of the UK Government stakeholders, the SIA indicated there was a need for a body to become the ‘Custodians of the strategic direction of the industry’. Not just representation, but addressing the issues of competitiveness, new markets and services, the mix of technology and manned services, the long term training and development of the work force, the professional training of managers through higher education at Colleges and Universities so as to provide a career path to the top for those making security a career of choice.
The proposal for a Security Industry Council representing all sectors and providing a single point of contact with Government based on similar models in the defence sector was attractive and would meet the criteria identified in the report. However, it was unlikely that Government, given the present financial climate and Treasury constraints, would be prepared to underwrite such a development, or contribute to the revival of JSIC. It would require the industry to demonstrate its commitment to those objectives by providing the funds to raise the profile and performance of the stakeholder representative body, or bodies, before the government would be persuaded to make any contribution in support of any activity that fell also within its own priorities and objectives.
The JSIC representatives in endorsing the report findings felt that the Government, through the SIA, should be pressed to respond positively to the report and that whatever body was formed, it should be supported by Government, especially as so much money was being extracted from the industry under regulation. With this in mind, it was agreed that JSIC should continue and be further developed in accordance with its objectives to provide representation and leadership for those sectors of the industry not otherwise represented. It therefore agreed to make arrangements to implement certain other recommendations of the report:
- Reform the Articles of Association to clarify criteria for various membership grades;
- Prepare, develop and implement a marketing and rebranding campaign;
- Establish a Think Tank from members to determine the focus of research activities;
- Plan and execute a programme of members meetings;
- Increase, lobbying/contact activities with Government/Parliament/Industry; participation in conferences and forums, organisation/promotion of industry seminars, representation of members in dialogue with government departments, pursuit of sponsorship and alterative funding for research;
- Appoint Secretarial and Administrative support to handle administration and all associated promotional and support functions.
“We await the outcome with interest.”
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Anti Surveillance Tips
25 Signs You're Under SURVEILLANCE
And Some Suggestions For dealing with the Situation
Is Personal Spying The New High Tech Boom Industry?
A wireless camera hidden in a smoke detector, houseplant, bedside radio or baseball cap is no longer limited to shadowy CIA types skulking around chasing after the "new" KGB in a Mad Magazine Spy vs. Spy parody.
"Not at all," The intense proliferation of "spy shops", both on the internet with stores at such popular tourist attractions as San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf are more than happy to provide perspective James Bonds with things "M" never dreamed existed."
Reverse peephole viewers, tiny fiber optics that can "see" under a door or through a pinhole, a digital video recorder the size of a postage stamp are all on the open market.
If illegal adult originated surveillance isn't enough for you, several well known hobbyist catalogs now feature working "spy toys" for the pre-pubescent set.
Who would use such dastardly devices for their own advantage (or profit)?
Ask Nicole Kidman after she was victimized by not one, but two separate bugging attempts in just a couple of years, or the mayor of Philadelphia whose office was "multiple bugged".
Many defense lawyers, Hollywood studios and high tech businesses now include a portion of their yearly budget for electronic countermeasures.
NOTE: These are basic suggestions for detecting common surveillance threats. NO CASUAL SEARCH WILL UNCOVER SOPHISICATED installs, and even top level professional TSCM (technical surveillance countermeasures) people will not normally find a law enforcement level tap installed at the phone company's office.
The good news is that high attacks are the rarest types of surveillance, and, in theory, do require legal consent and normally a warrant.
General Indicators
People know things they shouldn't. Personal or professional secrets seem to be common knowledge where they shouldn't exist.
Bids, contracts or upcoming court proceedings don't seem to be a surprise to the opposition. Think of a poker game, who knows what they shouldn't?
If you're famous, infamous or in the public eye the media runs stories (or photos) they should have no knowledge of.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ATTEMPT TO DEAL WITH LIVE AC POWER LINES, OR COMMIT TRESSPASS ON EQUIPMMENT OWNED BY SOMEONE ELSE (INCLUSING YOUR PHONE COMPANY – do not climb poles, enter manholes or otherwise commit any crime in any search for surveillance gear.)
All the techniques suggested herein can be preformed in more detail by following the methods outlines in our publications; How to Get Anything On Anybody Book 3 details how to fully carry out these operations for a more serious evaluation, The Extreme Covert Catalog shows exactly what virtually all of the bugs, taps, interceptors, etc. actually look like and where they are obtained. Breaching Security updates the latest news on surveillance/tracking/entry/security equipment and techniques.
The first and most important consideration in any counter surveillance application is to ask why would you be the victim of legal or illicit surveillance?
Selling pounds of Peruvian Marching Powder out the back door? Bet on it… Cheating on the spouse? Divorce rearing (or reared), its ugly head? Very possible… Not quite square with the IRS, or your business partner? Your or your firm involved with expensive, high profit, research heavy, projects, nosy "friend", make a list.
Surveillance falls into several general categories; general audio, phone-based (or both) and visual. The most common, and often most productive is phone based. Phones distill both access and information as they provide power, built-in transmission line and many points of "entry".
The most common form of phone attack the installation of a "drop out relay" (also called a recorder starter) from any electronic hobby supplier, such as Radio Shack. This device automatically senses the current drop conversation when the target phone (or any phone on the system with better models) is lifted from the hook. It then automatically starts a recorder and tapes both sides of any conversation. VOX (voice activated recorder) attached to the phone line. Both (above) units can be found by visual inspection of the phone line from the instrument itself to the outside connection to the actual phone line). Can be defeated by using a device which inserts current into the line, raising the level to just within the system's operating parameters and/or transmitting "white noise" down the line to burn up the recording medium. Note: many phone companies do not approve of this latter suggestion. A hook switch bypass or small remotely activated bug (developed in the 60's, called the "harmonica bug") which transmits room audio down the lines while the phone is still on-hook.
- See Shomer-Tec's X-Phone for a modern example.
- Secure an exact duplicate of your phone, remove the outer case and compare the interior components. They should be identical.
- Use a lineman's handset or isolated amplifier to listen for audio on the lines when instrument is on-hook.
Phone tap. Transmits RF to a nearby receiver, can be attached anywhere on the line. Series units draw power, parallels require their own battery and thus, have a limited life span.
- Visual inspection of phone and line. Use a VOM (multimeter) to check on-hook and off hook voltage at phone, connecting block, other phone jacks, (use a breakout connector). Remember on a one-phone system we're talking the red and green wires, yellow and black should have no audio or voltage (unless they have been connected to the telco line). 2 phone systems can use both pairs.
- Do the same with your neighbor's phone (and line). Readings should be identical. Limited range, use good RF detector, watch for listening posts.
- Short out your lines at the telco connecting block and measure the resistance with a VOM. Should be only a few ohms, anything above this can indicate a low impedance tap.
- Follow your line by using the universal telephone color code or by installing a tone generator and tracing it with an induction receiver. (Jensen Tools is my favorite).
- TAP YOUR OWN PHONE! If an outside party installs a tap they will want to test it, probably late at night. Strange calls?
Sounds come from your phone when on hook. Bypass problem, see above. Strange noises (static, "popping" etc.) on your line.
May be sign of cheap, "significant other" or private investigator recorder(s). Professional units will not produce this effect. Unexplained volume changes during a conversation, again can indicate a low-level eavesdropping invasion. The phone rings and there's nobody on the other end. Maybe an indication of a "slave". Used by law enforcement, medium to high level amateurs. May also, especially on very small, local phone companies, be a line test – this usually happens late at night.
- Slaves are most often found at apartment house, condo, or the local phone company's terminal box. Physically evident, connects your line to another line in the same physical area (usually in the connect box, look behind the wiring
Phone rings and a high pitched tone is heard for a moment or two, then nothing. Indicates the possibility of a slave or loop extender.
Radio Frequency Bugs
Although illegal to buy, use or even possess they are readily available on the internet and/or from English, Japanese, Italian and German manufacturers.
Sudden or unexplained Interface appears on any radio (usually FM).
- Slowly tune through the entire FM spectrum on a good wide band (like an ICOM) radio while walking about the target area. Listen for feedback squeals or your own background noise.
- Use an amplified field strength device, see Breaching Security for reviews of the latest devices. Many radio bugs and taps not only operate on their intended frequency, but emit harmonics on frequency multiples.
- Remember most bugs are very low powered and will not show up on a broadcast type tuning indicator. Scanners should not be employed due to their low front end sensitivity.
- Get an RF indicator and front end pre-amplifier from OPTO Electronics. When used together these units will, for a very low cash outlay, lock onto, amplify and display nearby signals.
Strange interference appears on your television set.
- With a local, "rabbit ears" type antenna, (no cable or dish), tune through all the channels including the upper band UHF numbers that normally have no signal. Watch for a candid camera view (or audio) of yourself.
- AC outlets have scratches on their mounting screws or edges that don't precisely match the paint pattern of the wall.
- Carrier current bugs transmit audio via the AC power lines. The signal will travel for some distance until it is deleted by a power company transformer. Many are simply intercoms (such as those sold by Radio Shack) with their case removed and the transmitter hidden in an object connected to the main power. Other units are built to fit behind the actual AC outlet inside the wall. WITH THE POWER OFF carefully remove wall plates and examine the interior wiring.
- Use a low frequency RF detector. The wires will radiate some VLF signal for a short distance.
- Buy a RS intercom and plug it in – check to see if they sell different units that operate on separate frequencies.
Objects, particularly those plugged into the AC power suddenly "appear" or are given to you as a gift that you would normally place in your office (or bedroom). You appear to have been burglarized but very little was actually taken. Dry wall dust, small flecks of paint or bits of ceiling tile appears on the floor
- Always push up and check above false ceiling tiles. Acoustical tiles are NOT sound proof and false ceilings provide space and often, available power.
- Chance that someone has installed a microphone or video "pinhole" type unit into the wall or in an adjoining room.
- Check the walls and ceiling carefully, look (and smell) for fresh paint patches or dry "matching paint stick" residue.
Your smoke detector, clock radio, wall socket extender has a small, neatly drilled hole in its surface. Usually indicates an added audio or video transmitter. Note video cameras can see through "black" glass.
- Take the unit apart and examine it.
- Do a RF check with a directional, sensitive field strength meter.
- Someone leaves a personal item behind, especially during a meeting and later returns to claim the "lost" item.
- VOX recorders and mini DVR's are small enough to hide in almost any personal item.
- Watch for cell phones left behind in coat pockets or taped to the underside of furniture.
Telephone, video, plumbers, copier or air conditioning service personal show up to "fix" something without being called. Furniture or office items appear to have been moved slightly.
- Measure the distance between major objects and the wall, study rug impressions, position of pictures, lamps etc. Lamps, picture frames, and furniture are favorite bug hiding places.
- Take an interior photo every so often and compare the results.
The same or similar vehicles, especially vans, UPS, Fed EX, phone or electric company vehicles seem to spend a lot of time in the immediate area. Vans with tinted windows or top mounted air vents are parked nearby but not owned by your neighbors. Remember the range of most transmitters is limited to about 500 feet, maybe a city block under ideal conditions, (without a repeater). Walk up to a suspicious van and suddenly shine a powerful flashlight through the tinted windows. Call the police and report a suspicious vehicle whose occupants seem to be talking to (or approaching) children in the neighborhood. See who responds and what action they take. Objects, or changes in existing objects, in particular traffic cones, power or telephone transformers, even rusted mufflers (or chunks of asphalt) appear outside, with a clear view through your windows.
- Video cameras come planted in all the above items.
- Close your curtains, move the offending object, check it with a real RF detector.
New, non-requested charges appear on your phone bill, i.e., conference calling. Someone gives, or loans you a cell phone.
- Never accept it, even if just activated some modified phones will not only broadcast your GPS position, but local audio as well.
Infrared beams are being bounced off exterior windows to transmit interior audio.
- Check your vicinity with an IR detector or a night vision device. Even cheap, Russian imported night scopes will show up IR sources like they were million watt lighthouses.
Car(s) or motorcycles seem to be following you as you drive.
- Drive a counter surveillance pattern (see our books).
- Have a friend (or two) follow you and see if anyone else is doing the same thing.
People seem to know where you have been when they shouldn't.
- Visually inspect your car for "add-on's", most tracking units attach to the underside of the target vehicle with magnets and incorporate a short wire antenna.
- Active GPS trackers normally use cell phone transmitters, employ a cell blocker. Yes, it is illegal to "interfere" with a radio transmission, but hospitals, theaters, prisons, etc. employ these units and as of this writing no one has ever been arrested for blocking a cell call.
- Passive GPS recorders need to be downloaded every few days. Look for them
- Any GPS unit needs to "see" the birds. This means the antenna (or unit) can be mounted under glass, but not under metal.
- The FBI loves to put them in rear deck stereo speaker compartments.
Some general precautions are to run at least two good anti-spyware on your computer on a regular basis, place a very, very thin piece of clear plastic (Scotch) tape at the edge of your entry door frames (if the seal if broken, you need to look for entry evidence), put the screws in wall sockets slightly askew DO NOT MARK THE WALL, use a thin coat of New Skin (a liquid plastic bandage) to cover the edges of screws, computer case fasteners, etc.
Rainer A. Melucci CFE,CSC,CFC,DABFE,FACFE,CHS-III P.I.
EED Co, Inc.
Specializing in TSCM Electronic Counter Measures
Rainer A. Melucci over (30) years of experience
Former President SPI, ALDONYS, NYCFE NY Chapter.
Regional VP IISSM, Int. Inst. Security & Safety Mgmt.
Member - Gov. Pataki's Sec. Guard Advisory Council.
313 Avenue J.
Brooklyn, NY 11230
Tel: 718 338-2640 212 354-0510
Fax: 718 258-2973
Email: raypi@aol.com
URL: www.antibug.cc - www.spyneeds.com
''One of the (15) best on the world'' Lee Lapin Book II.
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