Detection Section (TSCM)
Electronic Surveillance Detection and TSCM
Why Electronic Surveillance Affects You
A hidden microphone in a conference room, a camera in an executive office, a GPS tracker under a vehicle, spyware installed on a phone: illegal surveillance devices have never been so accessible, miniaturized, and difficult to spot with the naked eye. Today, they can fit inside a power strip, a smoke detector, a pen, or a charger, and can be controlled with just a few clicks.
For a company, a leak of strategic information prior to negotiations, a divestiture, or a request for proposals can cost far more than the value of the system used. A pricing schedule, the contents of a board meeting, or the terms of an acquisition—once disclosed—can shift the balance of power. For an individual, discovering that they are being monitored by a loved one or a third party is a direct violation of privacy and security that can permanently disrupt daily life.
Electronic counter-surveillance—known by the international acronym TSCM, which stands for Technical Surveillance Counter-Measures—encompasses all techniques for detecting, locating, and neutralizing such devices. It is a technical discipline in its own right, requiring professional equipment and a rigorous methodology. An improvised search using a consumer-grade detector purchased online often gives a false sense of security: it fails to detect devices that are turned off, those that transmit intermittently, or those that piggyback on existing Wi-Fi or GSM networks.
Our expertise in detection (TSCM)
The Aquila Group offers a division dedicated to technical detection, equipped with equipment equivalent to that used by government agencies.
Our services cover all sensitive environments and threat categories. Depending on your situation, we provide services in the following areas:
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- offices and business premises — headquarters, executive floors, strategic open-plan offices, server rooms;
- homes and residences — apartments, houses, and second homes of executives and high-profile individuals;
- vehicles and watercraft — company cars, limousines, yachts, and private jets, with GPS tracking;
- meeting and conference rooms, prior to a sensitive meeting;
- smartphones, for detecting spyware and stalkerware.
In these environments, we search for all types of devices: GSM and Wi-Fi microphones, hidden microphones, pinhole cameras and IP cameras, GPS trackers and magnetic beacons, and spyware. This list is not exhaustive: espionage techniques are constantly evolving, and both our equipment and protocols are updated accordingly. Our clients include companies and their executives, legal departments and security managers, law firms, high-profile individuals, and private citizens facing a conflict situation.
This level of thoroughness is what distinguishes a professional inspection from a mere walk-through: covering the entire radio frequency spectrum, testing components even when powered off using a nonlinear junction detector, identifying abnormal heat sources, and examining surrounding wireless networks are all steps that a consumer-grade detector cannot perform. It is this thoroughness that makes the results so valuable.
At the end of each assignment, you will receive a written report of our findings. Whether or not a device is discovered, this document provides you with a clear answer and, if necessary, serves as a basis for taking action. Throughout the entire process, confidentiality is strictly maintained: the information gathered never leaves the scope of our relationship with our client.
How Does a Procedure Work?
Every assignment follows a proven method. After an initial confidential discussion to assess your situation and define the scope of the assignment, our teams conduct on-site inspections with the utmost discretion, at a time that best minimizes disruption to your business. The inspection combines a thorough physical search, a radio spectrum scan using a spectrum analyzer, a scan with a nonlinear junction detector (NLJD) capable of detecting an electronic component even when it is turned off, a thermal scan, and an analysis of networks and connected devices. Upon completion, we provide you with a clear report of our findings and, if necessary, our recommendations for securing the premises long-term. You can learn more about each service, such as detection of hidden microphones in offices.
Why Choose the Aquila Group
The Aquila Group is a private detective agency accredited by the CNAPS, which conducts all of its operations in strict compliance with the law. For us, technical investigation is not a side business—it is a specialty, carried out with specialized equipment and a commitment to results. Our Technical Surveillance Division is led by Igor Defosse, the firm’s TSCM technical advisor since 2021 and a graduate of IFAR.
We operate throughout France, with particularly high demand in the Paris region—where many corporate headquarters are located—as well as internationally for our clients who travel abroad. Absolute discretion, technical impartiality, and confidentiality of our findings are at the heart of our commitment. To discuss your situation with no obligation, please contact our teams.
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TSCM, Frequently Asked Questions
The duration depends on the area and the number of rooms to be inspected. An inspection can take anywhere from a few hours for a small space to a full day for larger premises. We will provide you with an accurate estimate after the initial assessment.
Yes. Discretion is essential to our effectiveness. We tailor the schedule and approach so that the intervention goes unnoticed—even by those around you, if you wish.
Microphones, hidden cameras, GPS trackers, and spyware—whether they transmit continuously, intermittently, or are temporarily turned off. Our equipment covers both wired and wireless devices.
We document the discovery in detail and advise you on the next steps. Depending on the circumstances, the report may serve as the starting point for legal action, which we will help you prepare by connecting you with the right contacts.
Yes. Surveillance on premises over which you have control is perfectly legal. The possession of surveillance equipment is itself governed by Article R226-7 of the Penal Code, in accordance with the Internal Security Code.
Check out all our sections on investigations for detecting hidden microphones and cameras
Be sure to check out ourinsurance investigations as well as ourOSINT digital investigations.
Need a private investigator in France? Our investigations are designed to meet the needs of both individuals and businesses.