Our Services
We are a total security consulting firm that specializes in Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM). Our services usually fall under one of two categories: TSCM Physical Inspection or TSCM Physical Inspection + Monitoring.
The TSCM Physical Inspection includes:
Physical Inspection (inspection of wall coverings, outlet plates, drop ceilings, crawl spaces, desks, furniture, ventilation ducts, plants, electrical fixtures, etc.)
The TSCM Physical Inspection + Monitoring includes:
Includes the TSCM Physical Inspection (above) + using equipment (Spectrum Analyzer) to ensure there are no listening devices activated during the meeting
See a detailed list of our services and descriptions of our methodology below.
Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM)
Vail Communications Security Inc. has provided Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM) for the highest echelons of the US Government as well as Fortune 500 companies. We have conducted TSCM surveys through the United States, Canada, Europe, as well as Central and South America. We have the training, experience, and expertise to provide your company the highest level of audio and physical security.
We have the most sophisticated equipment to effectively detect and locate all types of listening devices. Vail uses procedures developed over a period of 30+ years by various intelligence agencies and represents the culmination of their combined wisdom.
Our specialists offer security surveys consisting of a complete onsite analysis of the client’s total corporate security needs. A risk assessment is prepared for the client which includes identifying risks and making recommendations for a specific course of action.
TSCM encompasses the entire service we provide to your company. The TSCM service includes: a physical inspection, RF Monitoring, Telephone Line Analysis, and a formal written report following our services.
Read below to learn more details about each phase of our TSCM service.
Physical Inspection
Our specialists offer a complete on site analysis of the clients total corporate security needs. The physical inspection is a visual inspection of all areas.
This visual inspection involves the inspection of wall coverings and outlet plates, as well as drop ceilings and crawl spaces. We search under and behind all desks and other furniture, ventilation ducts, plants, electrical fixtures, etc.
This inspection is enhanced with the use of Non-Linear Junction (NLJD) and a Thermal Imaging Camera. The NLJD locates transistors, diodes, or semiconductors regardless of whether they are operating. Additionally, a Thermal Imaging Camera is used to identify any hidden devices which might be concealed in furniture, walls, ceilings, or floors. The Thermal Imaging Camera locates a thermal signature of a hidden device no matter where it might be located.
We also use an infrared (IR) and laser detector, this Electrophysics Electroviewer allows our consultants to see IR and laser transmission in the devices within the operating range of the device. Amplifiers and carrier current detectors are used for the inspection of the alternating current (AC) power line to ensure that the power lines are not being used to transmit information. Additionally, a Micro-Alert near field detector is used to detect active radio transmitters. Finally, we use a spectrum analyzer to provide a radio frequency search.
Other equipment used by our consultants includes a cellular transmitter detector, wireless camera hunter, audio amplifiers, and various hand tools. The physical sweep completes the TSCM inspection and identifies all items in the area inspected. This part of the TSCM inspection is normally done during non-working hours.
RF Monitoring
RF stands for Radio Frequency. Listening devices use radio frequencies to operate. We use equipment that monitors for radio frequencies in proximity to the areas being swept. The equipment that we use is the REI OSCOR Green Spectrum Analyzer which covers the frequencies between 10 KHz and 24.0 GHz.
In order to maximize the chance of detecting a hidden transmitting device, it is necessary to operate the receiving equipment during normal working hours. Clandestine listening RF devices can be remotely turned on and off. Therefore, the most likely time a transmitter would be operating is during normal working hours. The set up of this monitoring equipment should be in near proximity to the are being swept. The power lies can likewise be inspected during this period of time for carrier current type devices generally from mechanical rooms, hallways, and adjacent areas.
Infrared and laser detection has to be done in the room that is the subject of a TSCM sweep. This check with an Electroviewer can be done very quickly and discreetly, generally when the occupant steps out of the room for a few minutes.
Telephone Analysis
We inspect each telephone/polycom in the area of interest to make sure no RF is being transmitted from the phone. Each distribution floor frame, main telephone frame, digital switch in the main telephone room, and the telephone line are inspected to ensure there are no devices there and that only appropriate parties have access.