Countering Hostile Surveillance: Detect, Evade and Neutralize Physical Surveillance Threats by ACM IV Security Services

Author:ACM IV Security Services [Services, ACM IV Security]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: REFERENCE / Personal &#x0026, Practical Guides
Publisher: Paladin Press
Published: 2007-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 8

The Chaos Theory of Surveillance

INTRODUCTION

A key factor in the effectiveness of surveillance countermeasures is the degree to which the surveillance effort is caught surprised, off-balance, or in a compromising position. Although there are a number of situations that can cause such effects, for instructional purposes, ACM IV Security Services captures many of the intangibles of a surveillance operation and refers to this dynamic as The Chaos Theory of Surveillance. This application epitomizes the concept of manipulation and is among the most effective means of reducing the hunter to the hunted.

In mathematics and physics, Chaos Theory addresses the phenomena of how isolated events can destabilize systems. This theory is commonly referred to as the “ripple effect,” and is probably most popularly associated with the “butterfly effect,” which suggests that the flapping of a butterfly’s wings might cause tiny changes in the atmosphere that ultimately cause a tornado to appear.

A surveillance effort employs a systematic approach that involves common tactics, techniques, and procedures. Whether the surveillance effort is a single person or multiple operators, there is basically a set system of methods that the effort will apply in reaction to the target’s movements. With multiple operators, this systematic approach becomes even more important, because each individual operator needs a good understanding of how all the operators can be expected to react to a given situation. This ability to understand how each operator can be expected to react is what makes surveillance a system. The Chaos Theory of Surveillance, and its destabilizing effects, are as applicable to a surveillance effort as the Chaos Theory of physics is to any other systematic approach.

The psychological and physiological factors of confusion, anxiety, friction, inertia, and momentum apply to any surveillance operation. Ironically, even the majority of individuals categorized as “professional surveillance operators” are actually unaware of the advanced concepts that impact most surveillance operations. Such “professionals” understand that these dynamics occur, but have never conducted a critical analysis of the problem to identify the root causes and corrections. These factors that impact a surveillance operation based on confusion, inaction, or overreaction are addressed as they apply to The Chaos Theory of Surveillance, which, if effectively exploited, is the ultimate manipulation of a surveillance effort for isolation, detection, or evasion purposes.

CHAOS THEORY DISCUSSION

Within the surveillance professionals’ community, surveillance operations are affectionately characterized as hours of boredom periodically interrupted by moments of chaos.

This tongue-in-cheek characterization implies that even an unwitting target can cause a noteworthy degree of chaos for a surveillance effort. The hallmark of a professional surveillance effort is its ability to react to and manage chaos. However, chaos that is deliberately created by a manipulative target can be virtually impossible for even the most capable surveillance efforts to manage. Consistent with the above characterization of a surveillance operation, the target can orchestrate moments of chaos to isolate, manipulate, and exploit surveillance assets—hence the term The Chaos Theory of Surveillance.

The course of a standard surveillance operation generally involves the surveillance effort monitoring and recording the target’s mundane day-to-day activities.

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