Detection Section (TSCM)
Physical Inspection of Computers in France
An Often-Overlooked Physical Threat
When we think about protecting a workstation, we often forget that a very real threat can be purely physical. A small device placed between the keyboard and the computer, a discreet box connected to the back of the unit, a seemingly innocuous peripheral, or even a hidden microphone or camera in the immediate vicinity: all of these physical elements are capable of monitoring what is happening on the computer, without leaving the slightest visible trace.
These hardware devices are installed by someone who has had physical access to the workstation and are designed to go unnoticed. Contrary to what one might think, their presence is not obvious: a hardware keylogger, for example, looks like a simple adapter and blends in with the standard wiring.
A physical inspection of computers specifically addresses this risk: it involves examining the computer and its immediate surroundings for any hardware-based surveillance devices. This is a technical detection method that complements the search for hidden microphones and cameras in a room.
What Our Services Include
Our work is strictly technical and aims to detect any physical surveillance devices.
- Physical inspection of the machine, its ports, and its wiring;
- Search for intermediate devices, such as a hardware keylogger;
- Detection of hidden microphones or cameras near the workstation;
- Checking for suspicious connected devices;
- Documented record and precise location of any device discovered.
Each connection point is thoroughly checked. This service is a direct extension of our bug and camera detectionservice.
How Does the Audit Take Place?
It all begins with a confidential discussion to understand the context and identify the affected areas, followed by a clear quote. Our technicians then discreetly conduct a physical inspection of the equipment you specify. Our detection operations are conducted under the supervision of Igor Defosse, the Aquila Group’s TSCM technical lead. You will receive a detailed report and, if applicable, the locations of any devices discovered.
A strictly physical inspection
It is important to be clear about the nature of our work: this is a purely physical inspection. We look for physical surveillance devices connected to the computer or hidden nearby—and that is all. We do not perform any analysis of systems, data, or communications: our job is the technical detection of devices, not the examination of what the machine contains or exchanges.
This distinction is deliberate and intentional. It reflects our core area of expertise—the development of data collection systems—and ensures that our work is clearly defined, without encroaching on areas outside our scope. This way, you know exactly what we do—and what we don’t do.
For us, this transparency regarding our scope of work is a sign of professionalism: it’s better to excel in a specific area than to claim to cover a field we don’t fully understand.
A natural extension of detection
The physical inspection of a workstation follows exactly the same logic as searching for microphones and cameras in a room: in both cases, the goal is to uncover a hidden recording device through a meticulous technical inspection. From this perspective, a workstation is simply another location where a device might be hidden.
That is why this service fits naturally into a broader inspection of your premises: it would be inconsistent to inspect a room without checking the workstations located there, and vice versa. We treat the environment as a whole, with the same level of thoroughness.
Legal Framework and Privacy
The inspection may only cover equipment over which you have control or for which you have the necessary authorization. We verify this in advance and conduct our work in strict compliance with the legal framework. This rigor ensures the legitimacy of the process and the validity of our findings.
When the situation warrants it, the discovery of a device may be formally documented to support a course of action, in accordance with applicable rules.
Why Choose the Aquila Group
The Aquila Group is a firm accredited by the CNAPS, whose technical detection division is supported by a dedicated specialist and professional equipment. Our services are provided by our own technicians throughout France, with high demand in the Paris region, thanks to our network of twenty branches across five regions.
Technical rigor, discretion, and a clearly defined scope are the cornerstones of our work. To have your accounts audited, please contact our teams : the initial consultation is confidential and non-binding.
For whom and in what situations
Physical inspections of workstations primarily concern organizations that hold sensitive information, but they also apply to individuals operating in a surveillance environment. Such inspections are particularly relevant after an employee who had access to the premises leaves the company, during a legal dispute, or when there is a specific concern regarding a particular workstation.
It can be conducted on an ad hoc basis, for one or more identified workstations, or as part of a more comprehensive scan of your facilities. We tailor the scope of the inspection to your situation and the number of devices involved, ensuring that the process remains proportionate.
In any case, the goal remains the same: to ensure that no physical listening devices have been installed on your equipment, through a thorough yet discreet inspection.
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Computer Checks, Frequently Asked Questions
This involves a physical inspection of the workstation and its immediate surroundings to look for physical surveillance devices: hardware keyloggers, hidden microphones or cameras, and suspicious devices.
No. Our work is strictly technical: we look for physical devices and do not analyze systems, data, or communications.
It is a small physical device, often inserted into the keyboard’s wiring, capable of recording keystrokes. It looks like a simple adapter and is easily overlooked.
Only on equipment that you control or for which you have the necessary authorization. We verify this before performing any work.
Yes, throughout France thanks to our network of branches, and at all of your locations if necessary.
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.
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