Case Studies

The Hidden Threat

QCC Interscan was engaged to perform a counter surveillance sweep for a client who had just been involved in the takeover of another large company in Europe. As part of the counter surveillance program, QCC Interscan inspected the existing offices of the organisation that had just been acquired by the successful host company.

During the physical inspection of two of the main conference rooms, our counter surveillance operatives found Knowles type surveillance microphones and audio cabling caught in the ceiling structure.

The Telephone Modification

A European publishing company became suspicious of being bugged after discovering leaked financial information and details relating to a confidential launch and specialist publications.

Their initial investigations ruled out most common causes of information loss and QCC Interscan was asked to perform a TSCM (bug sweeping) inspection of areas where this confidential information had been discussed.

The Non-Technical Attack

The senior management of a large UK public/government body were concerned that confidential details of a high level meeting involving restructuring was known to non-authorised staff. QCC Interscan was called in to investigate and to carry out a TSCM (bug sweeping) inspection of the senior management suite of offices at their main headquarters building.

A deep sweep inspection of the target areas found no evidence of unauthorised surveillance. However, included in our TSCM service is a physical security review of the target areas. This is designed to identify any vulnerability in the building security or work procedures that may lead to information loss.

Keystroke Loggers

A major client in the financial sector employs QCC Interscan to perform periodic inspections of selected meeting rooms and offices of their London headquarters.

During one of these inspections a USB keystroke logger was discovered connected between the keyboard and computer of a senior staff member’s desktop computer. This device was capable of recording up to 2 million key presses and actual keys pressed on the keyboard, password and log on information, pin numbers and confidential documents.

Bugs on Board! - Specialist Vehicle Search

The Chairman of a large international media company employed QCC Interscan to carry out counter surveillance inspections of the chairman’s transport fleet. This included inspections of two executive cars, a large yacht moored in the south of France and a 12 seat executive jet housed at a commercial business airport in the UK.

The inspection of the yacht uncovered an historic eavesdropping attack within the main stateroom of the vessel.

Tiger Testing reveals telecoms security issues

A global telecoms supplier with important technical infrastructure in the UK commissioned QCC Interscan to perform Tiger Testing Services (further details in services section) at two key UK sites.

Through surveillance, research and social engineering the QCC Interscan team formulated a plan to infiltrate both sites at different times of the day and night. The goal was to penetrate as deep into the premises as possible using non violent methods in order to evaluate and test existing physical security arrangements. A plan was executed that tested egress points at both locations. In addition an overt approach was made to the building security for access.

Invasion of Privacy

A client who was the subject of much press interest commissioned QCC Interscan to conduct a TSCM (bug sweeping) program to counter the threat to his privacy. QCC Interscan carried out a risk assessment and proposed an inspection of the London residence and vehicle used by the client.

During the vehicle inspection we discovered a live GPS tracking device had been attached to rear of the vehicle behind the bumper. This surveillance device incorporated a GSM capability that enabled the eavesdropper to live track the subjects vehicle.

See a list of all data security case studies here.