The US military has shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon that the pentagon claims was spying on sensitive military sites.
China insists it was a weather ship blown astray and has expressed “strong dissatisfaction” over its downing. US Navy and Coast Guard ships and divers are working to recover as much debris from the balloon as possible, including whatever equipment was onboard.
The employment of balloons as instruments of espionage is a well-established tactic, and a nation such as China possesses the capability to fabricate far more technologically advanced surveillance devices aimed at monitoring the United States.
While technologically advanced spy devices such as high tech listening devices and GPS tracking devices are commonly used, TSCM can also involve the use of cheap, simple and easy to access devices such as recording devices, and Wi-Fi cameras, these devices can be purchased for a fraction of the cost of their high tech counterparts and can often be just as effective in gathering sensitive information.
Chinas decision to use a spy balloon is a clear example of why it is important to understand that even older instruments can pose a threat to an individual or organization and that TSCM inspections should take place regularly to ensure all forms of unauthorized surveillance are detected and removed.