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Audio Surveillance: Uses

A new audio surveillance system could help fight crime in the city and protect kilometers of unmanned borders. Software developed by Ted Berger, director of the University of Southern California Center for Neural Engineering, can be trained to recognize and distinguish sounds that are indicators of a security breach or a safety hazard, such as a gunshot or the rattle of someone climbing a chain-link fence. The software is based on mathematical models that mimic the way the brain interprets sound, but it can distinguish between two similar sounds far more precisely than the human ear. This fall, Oak Brook, IL-based Safety Dynamics plans to implement the software in audio surveillance devices that monitor urban activity. Mounted on streetlight poles, the audio surveillance devices will listen for gunshots, then guide surveillance cameras toward the source of the sounds. Berger says the technology can also be used for large-scale security; an array of detectors placed along a deserted border, for example, could listen for footfalls or whispers, painting a scene solely on the basis of acoustic information. The audio surveillance detectors could then notify a central location of any suspicious activity.

How the Lewinsky Scandal Boosted Interest in Audio Surveillance

Just as the case of Boston au pair Louise Woodward quickly boosted sales of "nannycams" -- tiny video cameras concealed inside teddy bears or clocks -- security industry experts are betting that Linda Tripp's clandestine taping of conversations with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky will be a big boon to the audio surveillance business.

"Any time there's media play, it does play a part in sales," said Bob Crowley, owner of the Spy Outlet, a Buffalo, N.Y., retail shop and mail order business for high-tech surveillance equipment. "It's like putting up billboards."

Yet in power towns like Washington, with lots of lawyers, dealmaking and mistrust, the audio surveillance industry has been growing for several years, particularly as technology has allowed for smaller and cheaper audio surveillance recorders, microphones and cameras.

"Thank God for paranoia in our business. It's fabulous," said Don Ugent, co-owner of Buy Right Distributors, which sells audio surveillance equipment on the Internet.

Security experts say popular listening devices ranges from microcassette recorders sold at Circuit City for $100 to infrared laser sensors that cost thousands of dollars and can "hear" conversations through glass. The boom in audio surveillance, they say, has largely been driven by executives and lawyers who are increasingly recording telephone calls and personal meetings -- to have an indisputable record of events.

But it's not all business. There's also growing interest in the audio surveillance listening devices for other reasons, some of them personal. Concealed microphones and tape recorders are being used by police officers to prove their versions of encounters with suspects; workers trying to prove sexual harassment; parents checking up on their kids; and suspicious husbands and wives, experts say.

The fact that this is happening in Washington makes total sense to Kenneth Sim, co-owner of Spy Supply, which operates an audio surveillance equipment store and mail order business based in Indiana. Sim said Washington is one of his best markets for amplifier microphones that look like Montblanc pens but attach to mini-recorders. Though the area is much smaller, he sells as many of those pens here as he does in New York or California.

"That says there's a lot more people walking around with pen microphones in Washington than in New York," he said. "So watch out when you see a pen sticking out from a purse."

But the audio surveillance business is certainly not a free-for-all; government agencies have been cracking down on the sale and use of illegal audio surveillance devices. Laws governing the consent someone needs to record his own conversation, in person or over the phone, vary among states -- some require the consent of only one person, others require that all parties agree. And almost without exception, it is illegal to surreptitiously record the conversations of a group or another person.

When first asked about his company's inventory of audio surveillance devices, Crowley responded, "We don't sell listening devices." He went on to say, however, that he sells a variety of miniature recorders and tiny, easy-to-hide microphones.

"It's definitely a gray area," said Heath Chilcoate, senior account executive at the Counter Spy Shop in downtown Washington.

The presence of a chain of Counter Spy Shops suggests that audio surveillance is becoming so commonplace that now there's a developing market for equipment that detects such devices. The Counter Spy Shop, for example, not only sells rather stiff, blue-and-white silk ties that conceal miniature cameras, it stocks beeperlike devices that Chilcoate says will vibrate in the presence of a nearby recording device.

Counter-surveillance equipment will become more important, Chilcoate said, as secret taping "is going on every day." It just hasn't gotten much attention until now.

Audio surveillance has been around a while, but new developments and falling prices have sparked the interest of dealers and users alike

The concept of audio surveillance, or "listening in" to an alarm situation to determine whether it is real or false, is not new. However, audio surveillance technology has usually been considered a "niche market." Now, as audio surveillance technology improves and changes, and prices come down, more dealers are getting into the market.

"What we're seeing is a continued adoption of two-way voice technologies by alarm companies that sell and install alarm systems. More and more of them are offering it to the customers," says Michael Gregory, vice president of sales and marketing at Monitronics, Dallas.

"We would still say it's a niche market, but it seems to be growing, says Gordon Hope, vice president of marketing at Ademco, Syosset, N.Y. It's taken on a bit more focus in the last couple of years. The audio surveillance technology has been generally available for a number of years. The price has come down a little bit. I think as any market matures, [dealers] start looking for ways to differentiate themselves. More companies that may have thought about doing this in the past are trying it now."

Listen-in technology usually uses two-way audio communications. "Those systems allow an alarm panel to send a signal, then the operator to make a voice connection," Gregory explains. "In a typical system we would be contacting the customer back by telephone to verify the alarm. With two-way voice technology, we don't have to make that phone call. There are speakers and microphones at the premises."

Thus, audio surveillance not only helps cut down on false alarms, it can prevent a common problem that central stations face. "Usually when there is an alarm the system takes control of the phone lines and dials the central station. Normally the central station is going to call back the number to find out if anyone is home before they try to dispatch. What often happens is the phone is tied up. The consumer is trying to call the central station to tell them it's a false alarm. The central station ends up with a busy signal," Hope says. The central station then dispatches the police

With two-way audio and audio surveillance, that phone line is kept open. The central station receives a text message that the facility is a voice account, and the operator switches on the listen-in function. At that point, the operator typically listens for a few moments, then responds with a request for the user's name and passcode. In the case of a real emergency, the listen-in function can provide police responders with vital information, such as whether shots have been fired.

Another form of listen-in technology actually uses the audio surveillance as part of the alarm detection. "We listen in before an alarm occurs," says Bill O'Hara at Sonitrol of New Orleans.

Although they also offer what they call "listen-back" (what others call listen-in) service, the main Sonitrol technology is listening for a break-in, not responding to an alarm.

"We put audio surveillance microphones in the building space so it covers the whole volume of the building against entry from any point. Microphones are dormant until noise above the normal level activates the alarm. The operators then hear that just as if they were sitting in the building," O'Hara explains.

One recent development in two-way audio also makes the system easier to install, Gregory says. "The biggest trend is the integration into the panel. Typically there might have been an add-on box or device that needed to be wired to the alarm panel. Now the audio surveillance technology is often integrated into the panel itself. Another development is this functionality is being made available to the alarm dealers at a much lower cost than in the past."

Often the speaker and microphone can also be built right into the alarm panel or keypad, eliminating the need for separate devices.

Even where the audio surveillance technology isn't integrated with the panel the installation is simple, Hope adds. While Ademco has started integrating the technology into their quicker-install systems, "The way it usually works is some sort of electronics module is installed, often in the closet. [The module] is capable of supporting audio surveillance microphones and attaching speakers, which are strategically placed in the house [or business] to be able to pick up voice from any point. In a small house you might need one or two stations. In a bigger house you might need three or four."

Sonitrol's system has been installed in everything from a one-room store in a mall to huge warehouses, O'Hara says. "The bigger the better because the microphones cover a lot more area than a motion detector would."

THE BENEFITS

Listen-in audio surveillance technology offers benefits for both the end user and the dealer.

"The plague of the alarm industry right now is false alarms. It's a tremendous headache for the customer and the police who have to respond. The sound-activated listen-in system eliminates a lot of false alarms," O'Hara says.

"We're finding it's very popular with users when they are presented with the option of the two-way voice panel," Gregory says. "They like the features that two-way voice offers them for Faster response, easier detection of false alarms and being able to communicate with an emergency operator in case they can't reach a phone."

That last can be the best selling point for the dealer, Hope says. "From the dealer's perspective, they are either looking to help reduce false alarms by using this audio surveillance technology to validate an alarm, or they are looking to provide additional services for medical or emergency situations when people are home."

Particularly in the home market, the audio surveillance feature it is a positive sell, offering additional services in the form of voice contact with the central station. "If someone falls down they can push a wireless key that dials the central station and identifies it as a medical emergency," Hope explains.

"The consumer is buying this with disposable dollars. He's not looking at the basic system to have any problems to begin with. It's clearly intuitive and logical that audio surveillance is an additional piece of information to help validate the alarm. But it's hard to sell that.

While false alarms are a big issue for the industry, and for businesses that may have to pay fines, the home market is a different selling pitch, Hope adds. The home consumer may view the false alarm benefit as a drawback: 'Why isn't the system working right in the first place?'

"However, if you are going to pay for monitoring, why wouldn't you want a human on the other end of the phone? It's hard to argue that it's a valid business approach. The dealer is then offering a valuated service.

Audio Surveillance and privacy concerns

One of the obstacles dealers may face in selling Listen-in audio surveillance services is the issue of privacy.

"It's always an issue," Hope says. "Any time you have technology for voice or video, the question in the back of some people's minds is 'who's able to listen in to my home?' The companies that successfully position this audio surveillance technology are able to get over that objection. They are basically partnering with these people. There is some basic trust between the customer and the security company."

He adds that there will always be a segment of the population that will not feel comfortable with the technology. For most customers, however, simply explaining how the audio surveillance technology really works will ease their mind.

"With our audio surveillance system there is no concern about privacy because the customer controls when it's on," O'Hara says. "Some people do have that concern until after that's explained to them."

Surreptitious audio surveillance: the unknown danger to law enforcement

Imagine the perfect textbook execution of a search warrant at the primary location used by a major drug ring. The police have taken all of the necessary precautions, including instructing the alarm company to disregard any signals it receives from the site. However, upon entering, the officers unknowingly trigger a second alarm system installed by the suspects themselves using parts ordered by mail and instructions from the Internet. Investigators find the usual items associated with such a case - money-counting machines, traces of controlled substances, pagers, firearms, etc., along with a number of computers. A document named in the warrant provides investigators with information on the immediate whereabouts of numerous high-profile drug distributors. Arrest teams are dispatched to the various locations in the city; however, all report the same unusual event - the suspects apparently had fled minutes before the teams had arrived.

What had happened? No one except the officers involved knew the arrests were imminent. To communicate among themselves, the officers used only encrypted radio transmissions. Prior to the execution of the warrant, not even the police had known the location of the arrest sites; the suspects should have felt safe. The authorities could offer no explanation. Is it possible that the suspects had used computers to surreptitiously eavesdrop on the officers during the execution of the warrant? It is not only possible but also extremely likely.

Amazingly powerful, low-cost computer systems that only a few short years ago would have been unthinkable now are readily available. Such computers are sold at mass-market outlets in virtually every American community. In the hands of criminals, however, these inexpensive, easily obtained computers can be used as effective, remote-controlled surreptitious audio surveillance devices?

Compounding such a truly disturbing situation is the fact that law enforcement remains generally unaware of this newly discovered threat. However, by understanding the manner in which criminals easily can construct and employ remote-controlled surreptitious audio surveillance devices, law enforcement officers can take steps to avoid being exploited by such criminal activity.

WHAT EQUIPMENT DOES IT REQUIRE?

Little or no technical expertise is needed to convert a readily available computer equipped with sound capability, a modem, and the appropriate software into an audio surveillance device that will allow the surreptitious interception of any audio generated within its proximity. After the computer captures the intercepted audio, it can transmit the conversation anywhere in the world via landline or cellular telephones in a reasonably clandestine manner.

Sound Capability of audio surveillance systems

The builder of a remote-controlled surreptitious audio surveillance device first needs to equip the computer with sound capability or a sound card and microphone. If the computer does not have a built-in sound card and microphone, both can be purchased for relatively little cost and easily installed. The builder connects an external microphone to the signal input jack of the sound card on the back of the computer. To make detection more difficult, the builder may install the microphone inside the computer. Moreover, some builders install the microphone inside a piece of nearby equipment and then connect the microphone to the sound card in the computer. This latter approach removes the amount of possible internal ventilation fan noise from being picked up by the microphone. Additionally, with the appropriate software, builders can intercept and encrypt the audio surveillance they pick up.

Modem

Second, the builder needs a modem, a device that converts the digital format of information in computers to analog information suitable for transmission via a standard telephone network. Relatively inexpensive and easily installed, modems work well with either landline or cellular telephones, which means that locations without telephone lines remain equally capable of supporting such surreptitious audio surveillance systems.

Software

Last, the builder requires two main software programs to convert the computer into a remote-controlled listening device. One program allows the remote-controlled operation of the computer, while the other captures the audio surveillance input. A number of software packages permit full operation of one computer by another (which can be located anywhere in the world) via a standard telephone connection. Remote-control computer programs cost relatively little, and some may be free via the Internet.

Computer programs designed to capture audio vary in price and sophistication. Some can be downloaded from the Internet for a small fee, while others are professional-grade audio analysis and enhancement programs costing several hundred dollars. Although criminals may sneer at price consideration, most law enforcement agencies cannot.

HOW IS IT DONE?

Once the criminals have their computers installed with the appropriate audio surveillance hardware and software applications and placed at various sites in their territory, they use security alarms to alert them whenever their protected area has been penetrated. The target computer has remote-control software constantly running to allow it to be contacted and subsequently controlled by another computer through the telephone network whenever the criminal detects an area intrusion, calls by telephone, and enters the correct access code.

When an alarm indicating a security breach is received, the criminals immediately call via a standard telephone and remotely take control of the computer located in the area designated and protected by the alarm. The telephone does not ring, the computer does not beep, and with the monitor turned off, no flashing lights indicate the computer has been accessed. The criminals execute the sound-processing program and start capturing audio surveillance inputs, which can be stored on a disk and sent to a remote location either immediately or later. If the audio surveillance input received at the remote location is not clear, it can be improved with analysis and enhancement software.

WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES?

Dangerous situations may arise if law enforcement officers become the victims of surreptitious audio surveillance. In the hypothetical scenario at the beginning of this article, the drug dealers opted to flee the scene; however, they could have chosen a different approach - to ambush the officers. Also, during the execution of the search warrant, officers might have said something inappropriate or detrimental to their case. Regardless of the outcome, surreptitious audio surveillance can have a far-reaching impact on law enforcement.

Setting up a surreptitious audio surveillance system is not particularly complicated, and the cost is not prohibitive. Therefore, the immediate problem for law enforcement is to determine those individuals who would create such systems not only as a means of circumventing the illegal possession of eavesdropping equipment,(2) but primarily as a way of turning such systems against law enforcement. Instead of using such systems as simply a warning device to protect their illegal activity, some criminals, terrorists, and other antisocial individuals may use these systems to manipulate law enforcement.

WHAT CAN LAW ENFORCEMENT DO?

The solutions and preventive measures to combat this new threat are in their infancy and not well defined due to the incipient nature of such a new and rapidly changing menace. However, law enforcement can begin to counteract this new danger by educating officers and managers about the problem and recognizing that computer technology is changing law enforcement procedures. Top managers need to make this problem a priority in their departments and work with other agencies and industry professionals to cultivate the environment necessary to produce viable countermeasures.

The law enforcement community must realize that the first officers at a crime scene play a crucial role in thwarting these surreptitious audio surveillance listening devices. These officers must know what to look for and what to report to their superiors. For example, if the officers discover that certain criminals are attempting to use remote-controlled computerized audio intercept against them, and the suspects are unaware of the officers' knowledge, the officers can use these devices against the criminals. Knowing that the criminals can hear everything they are saying, the officers can take control of the situation and lawfully use the illegal audio surveillance device to their advantage. However, law enforcement management must develop and implement effective procedures for these officers to follow.

Moreover, whether responding to a radio call, executing a warrant, or participating in other related activities, first-arriving officers should not simply turn off the suspect's computer as a "quick-fix" technical audio surveillance countermeasure. This approach could result in evidence being destroyed.(3) No one should touch the suspect's computer until after it is examined and cleared by the agency's computer crime investigators. Agencies that do not have their own computer-trained investigators can locate and obtain assistance through such sources as the Federal Computer Investigations Committee, the Florida Association of Computer Crime Investigators, and the Law Enforcement Electronic Technical Assistance Committee of Brevard County, Florida.(4)

Additionally, officers should consult with their agency's legal advisor or the area's local prosecutor to address any liability issues that might arise involving unknowing and innocent users of the suspect's computer. Finally, it is virtually impossible to look at a computer and determine that it is being used as a surreptitious audio surveillance device; therefore, everyone from patrol officers to top managers should be circumspect in their conversations when in the vicinity of any potentially remote-controlled computer.

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