Do other companies sweep for bugs?

Yes, and for some chilling reasons too.

A majority of our clients integrate electronic eavesdropping detection audits into their overall security program. They do this for three interesting reasons...

1. Information theft is considered acceptable in other parts of the world, and is becoming "acceptable" here as well.

2. Eavesdropping technology is now inexpensive. Micro video spy cameras which transmit picture and sound wirelessly, and can fit on your thumb, cost less than $100. !!! (See for yourself.)

3. Many of our communications technologies contain features which allow any user to eavesdrop. Examples... hands-free intercom, auto-answer, barge-in / executive override, microphone mute buttons, silent ringers, cell phone spyware etc.

4. Instituting a "sweep" schedule is often done at the behest of General Counsels. They are concerned that not addressing this portion of the information security issue would be viewed as negligence by stockholders.

These days, it is rare to find a company which does not have some type of program for defense against electronic spying. This trend is reflected in business journal feature stories, and news reports, about increased spying. We post many of these stories in Kevin's Security Scrapbook.

Interestingly, quite a few of the eavesdropping problems we solve involve employees spying on their employers.