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Title: Surveillance Detection, The Art of Prevention
ISBN: 0978949919
Author:
Laura Clark
William E. Algaier
Publicate Date: 2007-02-27
Publish: 2007-02-27
List Price: $19.50
Average Customer Rating: 4.0
Format: Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $17.37
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $18.03
Amazon Merchant Price: $17.55
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| Customer Review: |
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1: Excellent book for anyone overseas
The authors of this work have extensive experience teach surveillance detection to business, government and military organizations throughout the world. They have many years of applied practical experience conducting surveillance detection operations for high profile individuals, as well as high threat environments in the Middle East. This real world knowledge is distilled in into a work which is well designed.
This is not a theoretical work. The material is organized and presented as a practical guide to conducting surveillance detection. The authors proceed in a logical fashion, explaining the difference between surveillance, surveillance detection and counter surveillance so the distinctions assist the reader in developing a program that is effective. An example of this is step-by-step process for conducting a risk / threat assessment. Determining the level of Risk and threat is the first, critical step. The authors provide a sample questionnaire and matrix which can apply to your program.
Planning and preparation are the touchstones of this book. The authors provide a specific detailed method for developing an effective written surveillance detection plan. As you work through the process the authors explain in clear and direct manner how to identify locations from which a subject can conduct surveillance on your facility and how you can position yourself to identify them without being detected. These surveillance detection locations become a key part of the plan and greatly enhance the effectiveness of your security operations.
Prior, thorough planning is the difference between a successful security program and a reactive one. This book is the kind of "how to" you need if you are overseas in a high risk area. work every security professional wants to have in their library. Whether you are trying to address an estranged spouse who is stalking an employee or trying to identifying pre-attack surveillance overseas, the practical program presented here will serve you well.
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2: Good Book on Basics
This is a very good intro to SD and one of the few books on the market covering a subject that should be at the forefront of most security practitioners' minds if they deal with securing facilities or at-risk personnel. SD is a largely underated but very proactive means of keeping your facilities and personnel safe.
The book could use some editing but most of the shortcomings are small and I feel like I'm nitpicking pointing them out. As an example: In one hypothetical scenario in the book the director of security for the firm, a former FBI agent, changes from her "security uniform" to her street close to conduct an SD effort. Now I have been in this business for more than 15 years and have yet to meet a corporate security director who wore a uniform. Minor thing - yes - but those things always make you question the author's knowledge - at least of the private sector - a little bit. Also through out the book the surveillance teams or surveillants are constantly referred to as "surveillance". Surveillance is the action - the people doing it are surveillants. Nitpicky? Yeah, sorry I told you so. The book would also have benefited from an index.
I also wish this book had devoted some tie to the survfeillance detection route. It is mentioned and dismissed as an "advanced technique" and bordering on countersurveillance. I disagree - an SDR cna be a very useful tool, especially for an individual conducting his or her own SD.
Despite those criticisms - a very useful book - I highly recommend it to practioners in the security field as well as anyone traveling or living overseas -- especially in developing nations.
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3: Good introduction to SD...
This book provides a good introduction to surveillance detection to anyone new to the art. It gives all the neccessary info on how to put together an SD Plan as well as a few other worthwhile tips.
But it could have been better... For example, there is no in-depth information on the terrorist attack cycle (and where surveillance/intelligence gathering fit into it), no discussion on surveillance indicators of potential hostiles (such as target fixation) and very little in the way of professional surveillance tradecraft tactics (while most terrorist surveillance operatives are only practicing a basic level of tradecraft, there are still some pros out there). Having said that, perhaps these things were left out for a more strategic reason (ie. so it doesn't get into the hands of the terrorists).
I'd recommend this book to those out there wanting to learn a bit more about SD, those wanting to put together a personal awareness package together for their staff, and those wanting to educate their security personal on detecting potential hostile surveillance which acts as a pre-cursor to an attack.
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