What Are the Different Surveillance and Counter-Surveillance Techniques?

 We looked at the various sorts of surveillance in a recent blog article.  What Surveillance and Counter-Surveillance Operations are available if you feel you are being watched? How can you identify it, establish its presence if required, and finally defend yourself and your privacy?

 

Surveillance in the dark

 

As contradictory as it may seem, using your sort of covert surveillance is one of the finest means of detecting, demonstrating, and defending oneself from spying. For example, as an individual, using a CCTV camera outside your home or a video doorbell system can assist you to see any strange behavior while you're away from home or catching footage of anyone engaging in unlawful activities.

 

Software Countermeasures & Cyber TSCM

 

With the increased threat of cyber-attacks, it's more important than ever to protect data stored online and on secure networks. Cybersecurity solutions like access control, firewalls, and general staff education on password best practices are critical for people in charge of IT systems. However, there is still the possibility that an adversary may utilize surveillance tactics like installing keyloggers, intercepting Bluetooth, and imitating WiFi hotspots to deceive unwary users. TSCM techniques such as visual, physical, and digital searches might be performed to discover illegal cyber activity.

 

Counterintelligence & Human Countermeasures

 

Many surveillance tactics rely on human rather than technology means. Techniques as simple as being situation-aware and avoiding specific areas might be sufficient to combat the potential of observation. Surveillance and counter-surveillance operations activities occur on a national level to monitor and guard against other nations or criminal organizations such as terrorists.

 

Countermeasures for Structural Flaws

 

Social engineering techniques such as Physical Penetration Testing can be used to examine how easily a non-authorized individual can gain access to a building and then address any weaknesses in the physical security protocols to protect an organization against the threat of physical interception and access.

 

Another strategy is to concentrate on the integrity of a single secure environment where sensitive discussions and information may be exchanged safely. To provide electromagnetic interference protection, procedures such as the removal of windows, electromagnetic shielding, and stringent access control can be adopted for an existing space such as a boardroom, a secure room, or a faraday cage can be installed.