OSCOR OSC 5000 - Section 6: Conducting a Sweep; Preparing Fora Sweep; Planning for a Sweep

SECTION 6: CONDUCTING A SWEEP
91 REI OSC-5000E
SECTION 6: CONDUCTING A SWEEP
This section provides a general guide for conducting sweeps; however, the methods
outlined are not the only ways the OSCOR may be used. This section is not intended to
be comprehensive. However, it presents possible methods and procedures that may
enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of a sweep.
PREPARING FOR A SWEEP
Each individual must choose the thoroughness desired in a sweep. A professional sweep
should include inspection of all phones and electrical outlets, testing carrier current and
all phone lines, inspecting all crawl spaces and ceiling spaces for suspicious wiring and
checking all speaker (intercom) system wiring.
When contracting a professional sweep team, the number of people aware of the sweep
schedule should be kept to a minimum. This will decrease the likelihood of a spy learning
of the sweep. However, it should be well publicized that random sweeps are performed.
An internal eavesdropping threat is greatly reduced when personnel know that regular
sweeps are conducted.
Furthermore, organizations should perform mini-sweeps at least once a week and before
and after important meetings. These should include physical inspection of all office
spaces and easily accessible wiring, and use of the OSCOR in the Automatic Mode for a
RF sweep of the environment. These can be performed by in-house security personnel
and are meant to serve as both effective deterrents and effective sweeps.
When the OSCOR is not being used in a dedicated sweep, it can be placed in an
inconspicuous location and allowed to run continuously in the Automatic Mode. Each
week, the OSCOR memory should be reviewed and cleared after each stored signal is
manually reviewed.
Planning for a Sweep
It is important to remember that if your environment is being monitored, your
eavesdropper may be aware of your suspicions. Sweep teams rarely find bugging
devices, but they often find evidence that bugging devices have been present. If an
eavesdropper is aware of an upcoming sweep, the sweep team will probably not find any
bugs, but the eavesdropping may continue. Sweeps can fail for many different reasons:
The eavesdropper finds out about the scheduled sweep.
The sweep is discussed over a bugged phone.
The sweep is posted on a company calendar.
The eavesdropper observes the sweep team arrival.