Protective Intelligence / Private Investigation
Threat assessment, OSINT and licensed investigations, including fraud, due diligence and litigation support.
Learn more
Northern Virginia · Washington, D.C.
TSCM Bug Sweeps and Counter-Surveillance in Virginia and Washington, DC
Technical surveillance countermeasures for offices, boardrooms, residences and vehicles in Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C. and Maryland.
When the conversation must stay in the room
Sensitive information leaks in ordinary ways: a recorder left behind after a meeting, a tracker on a car, a compromised conference phone, a hidden camera in a rented space. A TSCM inspection, usually called a bug sweep, is a structured search for those devices and for the weaknesses that let them in.
SCG plans and manages bug sweeps for companies and private clients across Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C. and Maryland. Inspections are carried out by qualified technical countermeasures specialists, and every sweep ends with a written report of what was checked, what was found and what to change.
A sweep is only part of the picture, so we pair it with practical counter-surveillance advice: who knew about the meeting, how the space is accessed, and whether the concern points to an insider.
What the service covers
What a bug sweep covers
Offices and boardrooms
Radio-frequency, physical and visual inspection of meeting rooms, executive offices and shared spaces before sensitive discussions.
Vehicle bug sweeps
Company and personal vehicles inspected for GPS trackers, recording devices and signs of tampering.
Residences
Home offices and living areas checked, with attention to smart devices and recent contractor access.
Off-site meetings and hotels
Hotel suites, rented venues and off-site locations swept ahead of board sessions or negotiations.
Phones and network hardware
Desk phones, conference systems and visible network equipment inspected for signs of tampering.
Counter-surveillance
An assessment of whether someone is watching the principal or the premises, with advice on reducing that exposure.
How SCG approaches it
How a sweep is run
Confidential intake
First contact made away from the space of concern, with only those who need to know involved.
Plan
Scope, timing and access agreed, often outside business hours.
Inspect
Physical, radio-frequency and visual inspection of the agreed areas and vehicles.
Report
Findings, photographs and recommendations, with next steps if a device is found.
Virginia DCJS PSSB Lic. No. 11-30873. Sweeps are scheduled to suit the client and carried out with the property owner’s authorization.
Who it’s for
Anyone holding conversations worth overhearing
- C-suite executives
- Boards and general counsel
- Law firms
- Companies in negotiations or litigation
- Private clients
What to expect
What happens when you call
If you suspect you are being listened to, do not discuss a sweep inside the space you are worried about, or on a device that may be compromised. Reach us from somewhere else through our contact page. We will ask a few questions about the space, the concern and timing, then propose a scope.
On the day, the team works methodically and leaves the space as it was found. If a device is discovered, we document it, explain the options, including preserving evidence and involving counsel or law enforcement, and do not remove it without your instruction.
Bug sweeps sit alongside our protective intelligence and investigations work. Our capability statement summarizes the full range of services.
FAQ
Bug sweeps and counter-surveillance: common questions
How often should a TSCM sweep be done?
Many organizations sweep before specific high-value events, such as board meetings, negotiations or announcements, and on a regular schedule for executive offices. The right frequency depends on the information at risk, and we recommend one after a short assessment.
Can you check my car for a GPS tracker?
Yes. A vehicle bug sweep looks for trackers, recording devices and signs of tampering. If something is found we document it and discuss next steps before anything is removed.
What happens if you find a listening device?
We photograph and document it in place, and advise on preserving evidence and on reporting to counsel or law enforcement. Removal happens only on your instruction.
Is a bug sweep disruptive?
Sweeps are usually scheduled after hours or on weekends so work is not interrupted. Staff need not be told unless you choose to inform them.
Do you sweep homes as well as offices?
Yes, including home offices and residences, always with the owner’s authorization.
Related services
Corporate Security Consulting
Executive threat assessments, insider threat programs and security program reviews.
Learn more
Private Investigator, Northern Virginia
Corporate and private investigations in Fairfax, Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C.
Learn moreStart with a conversation
Tell us what you are facing, in general terms. A senior member of the team will ask the right questions and give you a straight recommendation, with no obligation.
Request a Consultation