Surveillance Detection & Counter-Surveillance Flashcards

What is a 'choke point' in a route security context?

Answer: A location where movement is restricted, making the principal vulnerable to surveillance or attack

Choke points are narrow or restricted locations (bridges, gates, doorways) where movement is slowed or channelled, making it easy for an attacker or surveillant to anticipate and intercept the principal.

What is 'mobile surveillance' and how is it countered?

Answer: Surveillance conducted by persons following the principal on foot or in vehicles; countered by route variation, SDRs and awareness

Mobile surveillance teams follow the principal; counter-measures include SDRs, anti-surveillance driving, varying routes and timings, and trained operatives watching for surveillance team members.

What is the 'ABC' model of surveillance?

Answer: Three-person minimum surveillance: A follows directly, B covers parallel, C is ahead or in reserve

The ABC surveillance model uses three operatives: A follows directly, B maintains a parallel position to prevent loss, and C is ahead or positioned to pick up coverage if A is noticed.

What is 'technical surveillance' and what are common forms relevant to CP?

Answer: Surveillance using electronic devices: tracking devices on vehicles, phone monitoring or hidden cameras

Technical surveillance includes GPS tracking devices, IMSI catchers, covert cameras and phone interception; CPOs should conduct vehicle sweeps and manage device security to counter these threats.

Why is it important for surveillance detection operatives to appear natural and not attract attention?

Answer: If surveillance detectors are identified, the threat actor will change their behaviour or abort, losing the intelligence advantage

If surveillance detectors are noticed, the hostile surveillance team will abort or change tactics, destroying the opportunity to identify and track the threat; natural behaviour maintains the advantage.

What does 'burn' mean in surveillance terminology?

Answer: When a surveillance operative is identified by the target

'Burn' describes the moment a surveillance operative is recognised by the target; a burned operative must withdraw to prevent the target adapting their behaviour or becoming alerted to the operation.