Close Protection Specialists ARE NOT TSCM Specialists
Rarely are the professionals who are employed in a close protection role also TSCM specialists! (I say rarely as there may be some exceptions.)
We work closely with some excellent executive protection firms, who supply close protection services to UHNW individuals, celebrities and senior officials.
The firms we work with understand that technical surveillance countermeasures is a service separate from standard close protection services.
The firms we work with understand that their close protection operatives are skilled in what they do, not what we do!
PLACING CLIENTS AT HIGHER RISK
However, we’re hearing more and more (usually after we’ve had to be called in due to a successful technical surveillance attack already happening) that some, less professional, close protection operatives have offered their principals’ ‘bug sweeping’ services. On one occasion last week, after asking for some details regarding what technical equipment had been used, to take necessary threat domain measurements, we were informed ‘a lens detector app’. That’s it! So a close protection operator had told their principal that they were clear of technical surveillance attacks (in this case they were primarily concerned with a covert camera attack) because they had waved a lens finder app about in their family room! After a conversation with the operative, it was clear that they had no idea at all about threat domains, anomalies, measurement equipment, attack methodology or effective countermeasures. In fact, their ‘TSCM service’ had led to their principal being MORE at risk, as the principal had a false sense of security, believing they were free from technical surveillance, when in fact that wasn’t the case!
STICK TO YOUR AREA OF EXPERTISE
You are a specialist in close protection. You should not be expected to undertake other specialist security services. If you are a close protection professional, please reach out to TSCM professionals to conduct TSCM surveys. Offering and performing a service that you aren’t experienced, equipped or trained to provide leaves your principal more vulnerable, and you subject to legal action.
