Your organization's most important asset is most likely information. We'd all like to know about our rivals' goods, pricing structures, unique selling points, and anything else that could give us a competitive advantage. Consider the impact on your image, financial situation, and client confidence if sensitive information about your organization's financial or strategic position was revealed to competitors or the media. Although there are no official statistics on corporate espionage (evidence of surveillance is frequently suppressed to prevent public scrutiny), estimates vary from billions to trillions of dollars.
The growing sophistication, durability, and ready availability of items on the market is driving espionage and the use of listening and video devices. Bugging devices can be purchased over the counter and through famous online retailers in the UK, and the devices are smaller and capable of capturing information for longer periods of time. This makes the work of the corporate spy even easier. While quantifying the impact of espionage is difficult, it is obvious that when an organization loses control of its proprietary information, serious consequences can follow. However, many organizations continue to underestimate the magnitude of the issue, and decisions on how to respond to attacks are frequently made retrospectively.
It is important to remember that information can take many forms, including paper, conversational, and digital, and that any information security program must consider the threat to information from other threats such as GSM bugs, audio bugs, hidden cameras, laser attacks, and the insider threat in addition to traditional physical security measures and IT network system tests. Some of these methodologies are, admittedly, challenging to detect, and this is the domain of the TSCM professional.
Managing Espionage Risk with the Correct TSCM Strategy
When there is a suspicion that information has been leaked from a business, many will immediately consider hiring the services of a specialist Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM) or "bug sweeping" company to discover, identify, and locate any illicit eavesdropping devices. While this may appear to be a logical reaction, it is not best practice, and simply ignoring the risk and allowing information to potentially leak from an organization could be viewed as negligent, especially in light of the introduction of personal liability for directors in connection with Corporate Governance issues and compliance.
To successfully manage the risk of corporate espionage, organizations must consider a cohesive strategy that supports the overall business strategy. Based on the threat and risk of espionage, the ideal guidance would be to limit the areas or meeting rooms where sensitive conversations take place and then implement sufficient appropriate and proportionate measures to protect these areas as reasonably and cost-efficiently as possible. This could be accomplished through a TSCM survey program, the installation of permanent countermeasure solutions, the training of in-house security personnel, or awareness training for key people.
It's also worth noting that a TSCM poll entails more than just an electronic 'sweep'. An effective TSCM program is designed to detect technical security hazards, physical security weaknesses, or security policy and procedural inadequacies that would allow your premises to be technically or physically penetrated, in addition to locating and identifying hostile electronic surveillance devices.
A more comprehensive and strategic approach to counter-surveillance will take into account the broader consequences of hostile attacks and how they may affect the company as a whole. This will eventually result in solutions that provide an integrated way of thinking that integrates all elements of security with financial pragmatism. Such an approach should save companies money on security while also increasing its effectiveness and support for the company.
Corporate espionage and its consequences should be considered as part of risk management and company strategy. Being in a position where an organization can promote the fact that it has planned for every contingency is a proactive move that will not only ensure corporate compliance but will also aid in new business acquisition from increasingly security-conscious corporate clients, as well as providing additional comfort to existing clients.
6 Advantages of TSCM:
Prevention The potential financial and reputational harm caused by an information breach can far outweigh the cost of adopting a proactive TSCM strategy. Prevention is preferable to treatment.
Excellent Practice A proactive TSCM program demonstrates a best practice strategy, which will reassure board members, clients, the supply chain, and stakeholders.
Corporate Responsibility and Corporate Compliance A proactive TSCM program will help organizations in achieving compliance around information security. The duty to spot and manage regulatory risk is a key requirement of today's board.
Improved Security A TSCM program will detect and report on physical security flaws or deficiencies that would enable your premises to be technically or physically penetrated, thereby improving overall organization security.
Obstacle Overt counter-surveillance policies can serve as an obstacle to thieves, competitors, and rogue workers.
Peace of Mind Having a proactive TSCM program in place will give you peace of mind that your conversations and information will be kept private, allowing you to focus on business as normal.
