In our regular look at covert surveillance equipment, we hear from the other side of the business - Stephen Read of counter-surveillance firm Winkelmann UK - and over the page, we take a look at some of the most recent kit available ...

Seeking information through illicit means to gain an advantage or discover weaknesses is a human activity as old as mankind itself. From the first time someone lurked outside a window to eavesdrop on a conversation being held inside the room, protecting sensitive information from detection has been important.

Nowadays, technology has made it feasible to "eavesdrop" from the other side of the world by using IP-enabled covert microphones or video cameras, activated over the internet, to bug a room and to transmit the sound and picture to the remote operator. The principle is still the same, only the delivery mechanism has progressed.

Everyone can empathise with the special challenges facing the intelligence services, police and military to ensure that they are secure, particularly in today's climate. Conversely, many commercial organisations would find the concept of their premises being bugged, the homes of their senior executives put under surveillance and their telephones being tapped too extraordinary to contemplate.

However, research shows that this is what happens to millions of businesses across the globe on a daily basis. In any number of areas, time-sensitive information such as planned takeover bids can, quite literally, be worth a fortune to those who can profit by the illicit knowledge. Merchant banks, financial PR consultancies, lawyers, accountants and many other advisors will all be party to extremely important secret information - it only takes a bug in one boardroom for the whole operation to be in jeopardy.

A quick search on the web will show a huge number of covert devices, available to anyone with a credit card. High resolution cameras concealed in a smoke detector or clock, or even in sunglasses or a button on a suit, can transmit full colour images for a mile or more.

Audio recorders concealed in computer mice, in ventilation grilles or elsewhere will pick up the quietest whisper, and it's no good going into the bathroom and turning on the taps - modern electronics will easily strip masking background noise from a recording, leaving crystal-clear voices.

Our company designs, develops and manufactures counter-surveillance equipment, and we have established an extensive product range. Each type of device has been specifically developed to counter a particular type of threat to give the highest possible levels of detection and protection from unauthorised surveillance.

Our 'Counter Measures' include the MS300, which is a highly sensitive broadband counter surveillance receiver. It allows the detection of all major types of surveillance threat.

The Hawk 450XD 'Electronic Device Detector' is widely used in EOD search operations to detect hidden electronic devices, regardless of whether the device is radiating, hard-wired or turned off.

We also offer communication security. Our TLA200/B Telephone Line Analyser is a system for checking hard-wired telephone lines for illicit bugging devices. With GSM phones getting ever smaller, they are increasingly being used in areas where they may compromise security.

This technology is also becoming the preferred medium for bugs and other surveillance devices. We can detect GSM phones or surveillance units not only in variously sized rooms or buildings, but also over much larger areas, at up to 200m away.

Our company also offers a number of advanced technology surveillance products for use by legitimate agencies. This includes audio surveillance equipment, high resolution miniature camouflage cameras and video accessories, and a keystroke reader that requires no software installation for PC keystrokes to be recorded.

* More information on Winkelmann UK Ltd can be found at www.winkelmann.co.uk

A PIRfect mimic

Vista's SmartPIR mimics a PIR, offering a number of options to suit the majority of covert surveillance requirements. One of its most recent versions has evolved to also offer the ability to record alarmed images onto an internal 32 or 64Mb flash memory card.

As a direct result, the camera can function as a standalone CCTV system - recording images which can later be played back on a conventional PC. Such a facility means the installer's customer does not necessarily need to invest in a complete CCTV system.

Additionally, the Vista Smart PIR camera offers both a built-in PIR sensor and motion detector which can operate on an AND/OR basis. The model is also available with an integral microphone for audio recording and active sensors which can be used to trigger a recording device.

Reader Service No 104

High quality combination

The Optex PIR Camera range combines high quality cameras with Optex's high quality PIR Detectors. The PIR and camera are perfectly aligned inside a stylish housing, making sure that they conform to new BS8418 standards. The units are easy to install as there is no need to spend time separately aligning the camera and PIR detector.

The DC-300 combines a high performance Optex sensor and CCTV technology in one convenient and attractive package - a camera and detector combined in one discreet, good-looking, weather proof housing.

The detector incorporates Optex patented technologies such as Double Conductive Shielding, which minimises false alarms from vehicle headlights and direct sunlight, and Quad Zone Logic, which enables the sensor to discriminate between humans and small animals. This greatly minimises the chances of accidental activations.

The DCL-300 is A weatherproof outdoor camera with combined 80W beam lamp and advanced motion sensor. The camera viewing angle, detection and light illumination areas are perfectly matched, so when the unit detects an intruder, the light turns on, illuminating the field of view of the camera, providing immediate video verification of the sensor activation.

The detector incorporates Optex patented technologies such as Double Conductive Shielding, which minimises false alarms from vehicle headlights and direct sun light, and Quad Zone Logic, which enables the sensor to discriminate between humans and small animals, minimising the chance of accidental activations. The unit is wall, ceiling or pole mountable and contains an adjustable photocell to ensure that the light only activates in darkness.

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Having a Pecan

Pecan offers a wide range of covert CCTV products.

These include the covert camera in a working office clock, which is available in colour and monochrome models, and which Pecan says "blends with furnishings". The mono model features 380 TV lines of illumination, while the colour model offers 330 TV lines. The pinhole lens fitted is a 3.7mm type. The mono camera offers low light performance down to 0.2 lux.

The company also provides covert cameras in both industrial and domestic smoke detector housings. These are also fitted with an internal microphone as standard for covert audio recording, and offer mono resolution of 380 TV lines and colour of 330 TV lines. The mono camera can operate down to 0.2 lux of lighting. Pecan says the domestic model is suitable for covert viewing onto staircases. In some instances, the domestic model can also be used as a functional smoke detector as well.

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Active PIR camera

Novar's 8IR125 is an Activ8 Quad PIR and concealed colour camera.

The covert camera and microphone, works to 0.5 Lux. It has weight selectable pet immunity, and is fully EN and BS compliant.

It offers pulse count and PIR sensitivity adjustment, and provides 18x18m coverage.

Reader Service No 107

To catch a spy…

Another firm involved in the counter-surveillance market is Spycatcher.

The Knightsbridge-based firm offers a wide range of counter-espionage and surveillance equipment, including its top-end Multi-Detection System, which it says will "quickly and silently detect and locate all major categories of surveillance equipment".
It offers the Bug Detector or the compact Bug Hunter 9000 for smaller organisations, which hunt out hidden room or telephone transmitting devices.

"If boardroom conversation or strategy planning needs to be kept secret, foil any listeners-in by using a White Noise Generator," Spycatcher says. "This handy and relatively inexpensive item produces unfilterable sounds – effective against any microphone-based device."

The company's Biometric Mouse looks like an ordinary computer mouse, but is an anti-hacking device that provides a high level of security for computers and data. The GSM Crypt-a-Cell "encrypts to military level all mobile voice communications over the GSM network".

The Landline and Fax Encrypter permits secure communications between organisations, as long as the receiving company has the equivalent equipment to unscramble the information sent. The Telephone Lineguard protects an individual's landline phone or fax from bugs or eavesdropping.
* Visit Spycatcher at www.spycatcheronline.co.uk

Lump stops dumping

MEL Secure Systems has launched an innovative modular covert CCTV solution for use in anti fly tipping operations. Designed to meet the needs of local authorities and enforcement agencies, it makes it easier and cheaper to produce video evidence that will secure convictions for fly tipping, graffiti and anti-social behavioural activities.

MEL says it is comprised of three key components, all of which can be quickly and unobtrusively installed in target areas. The covert camera and video transmitter are mounted inside a weather resistant moulded housing resembling a discarded lump of concrete, and is equipped with infrared illumination, enabling full operation in all light conditions.

"The brains of the system, which includes a video receiver and a mini digital video recorder, is mounted inside a further moulding and can be installed up to 100m away, concealed in a hedgerow or similar," MEL says. "A pair of motion sensors, mounted inside a piece of scrap timber, sends a trigger signal to the camera when movement is detected. The sensors are mounted to eliminate the incidence of false alarms caused by wild animals or moving foliage."

he system has been designed to meet demands from users for a covert CCTV solution that can be used at sites where there is no electrical power or lighting. It uses a small lithium Ion battery pack that mounts within the camera housing, giving an operational life of up to 14 days.
Reader Service No 103

Source

Security Installer