There are two kinds of plaster. That which has cracked and that which will crack. (Seen taped to the wall of a construction contractor. First, I would like to dispel a possible misconception presented in my last newsletter. I ATTENDED a countermeasures seminar at the John Jay College in New York in December, I did not present it. I apologize for any confusion. (It couldn't have been any better if I HAD presented it). My hat's off to the college staff and Kevin Murray. Great Presentation. It makes all the difference in the world whether we put the truth in the first place, or in the second place. Several additional telephone responses to the survey results provided in the last newsletter followed generally the same line; most have the examinations performed on a regular basis, two have the service performed in house, most consider themselves a target and one has found evidence of eavesdropping attacks within their organization. For those receiving the newsletter for the first time, and are unfamiliar with what the survey was, call or write and a copy of the previous newsletter will be provided. Poise is the art of raising the eyebrows instead of the roof. Dateline New Orleans---The Times-Picayune--6 December 1989 According to the article, a police lieutenant in New Orleans found an electronic eavesdropping device in a wall socket of his office and reported the find to the FBI, which agreed to investigate under a federal law restricting wiretapping. Four New Orleans police officers have been accused. The device, allegedly capable of transmitting audio several blocks, was found on Tuesday 28 November by the office occupant. We Judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while others judge us by what we have already done. Dateline San Jose---The Arizona Republic--3 March 1990 The headline story on page one discussed baby monitors. It appears that someone has "discovered" (again) that baby monitors present a potential problem, being capable of transmitting practically anything that occurs in a house, and does not limit itself to the activity taking place within the baby's room. The article further states that the signal can be received as far away as 1/2 mile by a radio scanner. The concern seemed to be that parents were not aware of the sensitivity of the baby monitors and many never turned them off. As security directors and corporate executives, you should be aware of the threat these devices may present to your operation. They are readily available and require little or no modification to operate within your environment. Here's the test to find whether your mission on earth is finished: If you're alive, it isn't. During the course of a recent sweep another intercom system was found which was passing audio when NOT in use. In many instances, intercoms are a compromise waiting to happen. If they must be installed, install the wiring in conduit to prevent interception of conversations. Only a fool tests the depth of a river with both feet. Something for consideration---An article appeared in todays (March 21 1990) Arizona Republic addressing the fact not many spies have come in from the cold over the past few months. That article, by itself, was interesting, but the presentation at March's Phoenix ASIS luncheon covered much the same ground. Strangely, the presentation was by a member of the Department of Commerce. The thought and feeling throughout is that the Soviets and their intelligence apparatus in the "defecting" countries may be targeting technology more than in the past. As closely intertwined as our economy is,technology organizations aren't the only ones who should be concerned. Their suppliers could be a target, as could the organizations providing the financing. And the technology they're after isn't necessarily high tech: information and/or products to build consumer products is lacking in those countries. (Wouldn't you just love to have the franchise for a well built, inexpensive washer and dryer, or mobile home dealership.) Speaking bluntly, there are few organizations out there who do not need a complete reevaluation of their security and production program, beginning with simple access control, proceeding right on through information protection. This is apparent, time after time, when visiting organizations and performing TSCM sweeps and physical security evaluations. If peace cannot be maintained with honor, it is no longer peace. Taunton Daily Gazette, January 15, 1988, Dateline Denham---How do you punish someone who is already in prison and is caught in illegal activities? That is a problem faced by prosecutors when they uncovered a drug ring being operated from within the prison. Using electronic listening devices, investigators discovered some inmates were working with outside associates and relatives to set up drug deals. The inmates used a prison phone at the state prison in Walpole. Ordinarily, he is insane, but in lucid moments he is only stupid. [Of Savoye, appointed ambassador to Frankfurt by Lamartine 1848] Heinrich Hein 1797-1856 Chronicle Herald, Jan 14 1988, Dateline St. Louis---A U.S. District Judge ruled that it is OK for one spouse to place a wiretap on home telephones without a court order or the permission of the other parties involved. Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead. Yakima Herald-Republic, Jan 21 1987---A special agent for the Drug Enforcement Agency related a humorous sidelight to a drug bust which occurred in conjunction with a court ordered wiretap: The subject had installed a mail order device purchased from an outfit in New York called a "tap-proof". Needless to say it didn't work as they monitored approximately 1800 calls over a 15 day period. (Are they guaranteed and does he have a case for suing the distributor?) |