TSCM Equipment; BEFORE You Buy, Get TSCM Training
Important to get TSCM Training Before Purchasing TSCM Equipment
Before you buy TSCM equipment, Sarah Saul, Managing Director at Verrimus, has this advice, “Get TSCM training before buying TSCM equipment.” She emphasizes this crucial advice that Verrimus give to their commercial clients who are looking to build an in-house TSCM (Technical Surveillance Counter Measures) capability. She uses a fitting analogy, explaining, “It’s not advisable to buy a vehicle before you’ve learned to drive!”
Understanding Threat and Threat Domains
Saul elaborates that undertaking TSCM training to understand threats and threat domains before buying equipment is the most sensible strategy. “Until you know how TSCM attacks are deployed, operate, and what they gather, you can’t design your TTPs (Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures),” she says. Designing effective TTPs is essential to knowing what equipment will match your requirements and risk appetite. “Buying TSCM equipment appropriate for your role and task scenarios can be complicated,” Saul adds.
Effective TSCM: Tools and Skills
Effective TSCM operations require equipment AND a competent operator. A combination of relevant measurement tools and an operator with the skills to understand, analyse and interpret those measurements. Saul points out, “Learning what an uncompromised threat domain looks like, makes it easier to identify anomalies for investigation.”
Choosing the Right Equipment
Saul warns against the approach of going straight to TSCM equipment manufacturers without adequate training. “What you will be advised to purchase may not be suitable for your skill set, threat landscape, or risk appetite,” she cautions. She questions whether equipment suppliers discuss your team’s level of experience, your set of TTPs, threat domains, and measurements, or your typical scenarios.
“Some equipment and tools that are industry standard for other fields might work well for certain threat domains,” Saul explains. However, she notes, “Some TSCM equipment has specific parameters that need to be met. Not all thermal imaging cameras, for example, are suitable.” Saul also raises a crucial point: “Will the equipment sales team tell you how their equipment compares to other similar equipment? Additionally, some TSCM equipment manufacturers will not tell you that there are FREE tools available for some aspects of a TSCM survey!” This is particularly worrying where public sector organisations are purchasing equipment unnecessarily!
Remember: Sales Targets
“Remember,” Saul advises, “equipment sales teams have sales targets to meet.” This underscores the importance of being well-informed through proper training before making any purchasing decisions.
Conclusion
Verrimus’s Operational TSCM training is not equipment specific. At Verrimus, the focus is on ensuring clients have the necessary training to make informed decisions about buying TSCM equipment. As Sarah Saul highlights, understanding the threats and the operational environment is essential before investing in tools. This approach ensures that the equipment selected will effectively support the organization’s specific TSCM needs.