Independent Advice When Buying TSCM Equipment

If you are looking at buying TSCM equipment there are some things you should be aware of. A TSCM operation (commonly referred to a bug sweep) requires measurement equipment AND an experienced TSCM professional. The TSCM professional (operator, technician) analyses and interprets the measurements gathered, to detect, identify and pinpoint locate surveillance attacks (and vulnerabilities).

Buying TSCM Equipment – What Do I Need?

Clients ask us “what equipment do I need?”. Before any TSCM team should consider purchasing ANY equipment it is essential that they understand the threat domains. Once there’s an understanding of threat domains and methods of technical surveillance, they can then begin to assess TSCM equipment. They’ll know what will accurately measure aspects of the domain and which meets their own organisational risk appetite.

Purchasing TSCM equipment because an equipment sales person or manufacturer tells you it’s what you need is wrong! Don’t fall for it! Additionally, you need to be aware of trade sanctions surrounding some countries of origin.

What Is Being Measured?

A TSCM operator needs to know what is being measured by the equipment and why firstly, before then assessing whether it’s operation fits smoothly into your TTPs.

A TSCM equipment sales person will;

• rarely provide you with honest and accurate comparisons between their piece of equipment and the others on the market.
• Rarely will they list limitations of the equipment.
• They will usually fail to mention any negative feedback they’ve received.
• They are unlikely to mention any problems with transporting or operating the equipment in different environments.
• It’s unlikely too that they will tell you where the equipment or components within the equipment were -manufactured. This is obviously a concern for any TSCM operator – does the equipment or components within it have back doors accessible by a FIS?
• They certainly won’t tell you if there is FREE software or other available inexpensive tools that provide the measurements you require.

Don’t get caught out with the sales patter.

A sales team need to meet their sales targets, they need the commission!

A demo from a TSCM equipment sales team or manufacturer is likely to show you every function which that equipment can do, rather than the specific measurement requirement you need. A piece of equipment that may perform measurements and data gathering which are not relevant to your TTPs. Ask yourself, are all of the functions which that piece of equipment can do relevant or necessary for your specific TSCM TTPs? Is it over complicated? Does it gather irrelevant measurement information?

Seek independent assessments and evaluations of TSCM equipment you may be interested in purchasing. Trial the equipment before purchasing. Have a demo provided by end users, not the manufacturer, not the sales team, but people whom actually need to perform the task daily. People who have actually used the piece of equipment in a variety of settings, on live operations and can tell you everything good and bad about that item.

You can then make an informed decision regarding what works best for YOUR TTPs and the scenarios you are required to operate in.

For assistance evaluating TSCM equipment, or any of our TSCM equipment Services contact info@verrimus.com

Take a look at this video from our Technical and Government Services Director.