Counter Electronic Surveillance, often referred to as ‘De-Bugging’, involves ‘sweeping’ areas of sensitivity and potential risk to detect the presence of ‘Bugs’ or ‘Taps’.
A ‘Bug’ is a device which picks up audio-frequency signals, i.e. speech, and relays them to a distanced receptor. A ‘Tap’ will intercept the changes of electrical state in wiring or circuits (to which it is attached), i.e. phone conversations and / or data transmission. The ‘Sweep’ procedure for a potential or suspected risk area comprises two phases:-
- Electronic
- Physical
A security audit is essential to assess vulnerability to industrial espionage.