TSCM

Mission Statement TSCM

Gauge Group fills a need in providing confidential Technical Surveillance Counter Measure (TSCM) services within the threat spectrum for those companies or individuals whose budgets won't allow for a maximum level sweep or where a highly sophisticated threat is unlikely, but where circumstances may point to a serious level of eavesdropping threat directed against the client.

Qualifications

Des Allin Jnr. has been performing basic sweep services since 1990.  Prior to that he worked as a member of the elite Counter Insurgency Police Unit Special Operations  in Namibia. He has served as operational security, communications security, personnel security and counter terrorist control for secret and top-secret classified government units. He thus presently has active law enforcement experience. His Criminal Intelligence and Counter Terrorism experience included governmental and private aspects of protection of information. He has worked on executive protection teams for company, individual, VIP and Diplomatic clients. He has had both formal and informal training in TSCM and associated fields and continues to maintain current and ongoing research in the ever-evolving field of eavesdropping. The last seven years have included high risk services in The Middle East Iraq and Central parts of Africa. Further academic background includes the post graduate qualification of a three year Advanced Security Programme at the University of South Africa.  Also a three year Diploma in Police Law Administration at the South African Technikon.  He graduated as an Officer from the South African Police Officers Academy in Paarl, in South Africa and went on to serve to the rank of Captain before electing to pursue a career in the private sector.


A Basic to Mid - High threat level sweep is better than no sweep.

Even a sweep at the lower threat levels must be conducted with the appropriate equipment and thoroughness commensurate with this level of threat. You do not want an eavesdropper to catch wind of a TSCM being conducted, so even a low level sweep must be conducted with the same care and communications security (COMSEC) as a more extensive sweep. There are no "magic spy shop boxes" that will effectively conduct a sweep, even at low to mid-medium and medium to high threat levels. Some of these "toys" may even warn an eavesdropper of the client's intentions.

Call Gauge if you are serious about having a TSCM conducted within the service levels provided. If cost is the primary driver in making your decision, then you should evaluate whether you really do need a TSCM. It is not recommended to shop for TSCM sweeps by using price as the sole criterion as it is an invitation to get ripped off. Professional TSCM providers will not engage in negotiating for lower fees. There are firms or individuals who offer inexpensive TSCM services, but you get what you pay for. A cheap, ineffective survey is a waste of money and may well compromise your company's proprietary information and financial health by providing a false sense of security.

If, after the initial consultation with a corporate client, circumstances dictate that a much more sophisticated sweep is required, Gauge will make recommendations on, or coordinate with, reliable firms (on the client's behalf) who are capable of conducting that level of sweep. We will not perform a TSCM that we are not qualified to handle. Ultra high threat level situations require the most proficient TSCM providers to combat very technically savvy eavesdroppers employing sophisticated, and expensive, devices. There are relatively few TSCM providers nationwide that perform this level of survey. I know of only two!

Our services are accomplished independently, objectively, and with complete confidentiality. Gauge has provided TSCM services amongst others to:

• Executive protection details
• Small and mid-size companies and some select larger International Corporations
• Individuals involved in civil and domestic situations
• Attorneys