Bug Sweeps and other odd names...

A list of terms, acronyms, abbreviations, jargon and slang from the world of electronic surveillance detection.


What do you call the craft of electronic surveillance detection?

Over the years, many monikers have been invented. In the hopes of eliminating the confusion, here are a few of them...

• TSCM - Technical Surveillance Countermeasures, Technical Surveillance Counter-measures, Technical Surveillance Counter Measures. (Origination: Military, 1950's)

• EECS - Executive Electronic Countermeasures Services (coined by Pinkertons, Inc. in 1974), Electronic Eavesdropping Countermeasures Services (Murray Associates, 1978).

• ECM - Electronic Countermeasures, Electronic Counter Measures.

• EDA - Eavesdropping Detection Audit. ^sm - "More effective than TSCM" ^sm - EDA is a new protocol which corrects the deficiencies of TSCM. It also enhances effectiveness with innovative technology and takes a wholistic view about protecting privacy and intellectual property. (Murray Associates, 2005)

• Anti-bugging - Commonly used in advertising by equipment sellers.

• Bugger - Buggist (UK)

• Bug Sweep - Bug Sweeper, Bug Sweeping, Sweep.

• Countermeasures - Espionage Countermeasures, Electronic Countermeasures.

• Detection - Electronic Eavesdropping Detection, Electronic Surveillance Detection, Bug Detection, Bug Detecting, Wiretap Detection.

• Electronic Exterminator - Exterminator, Extermination.

• Espionage - Counter Espionage, Espionage Countermeasures, Industrial Espionage, Business Espionage.

• Spy Busting - Spy Busters, Spybusters.

• Surveillance - Counter-Surveillance, Surveillance Countermeasures, Electronic Surveillance Detection.

• Technician - Technical Investigator, Sweeper, De-bugger, De-buggist (UK), Exterminator, Electronic Countermeasures Professional, Counter-surveillance Technician.

No matter what you call us, the point remains the same - we help keep information, conversations and observations private.