REI has recently opened registration for five upcoming Business Intelligence Protection Seminars (BIPS). REI’s free, one-day seminars are designed to familiarize security professionals with the dangers of information loss through illicit electronic surveillance.
“It’s important for businesses to remember the vulnerabilities in their own offices, buildings, and meeting spaces,” says Mark Uker, REI Training Director. “This goes beyond the theft of intellectual property – even the wrongful exposure of personal conversations between employees can have devastating effects on a company.” Continue reading “REI Announces Spring Business Intelligence Protection Seminars”→
REI announces that, following a commodity jurisdiction determination issued by the U.S. Department of State – Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (“DDTC”), the REI OSCOR Blue spectrum analyzer (8 GHz and 24 GHz models) is no longer subject to International Traffic in Arms Regulation (“ITAR”) jurisdiction. Effective immediately, the OSCOR Blue is subject to the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”) administered by the Department of Commerce – Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) and has been assigned to Export Control Classification Number (“ECCN”) 3A992.A. The OSCOR Blue now has the same export control status as the OSCOR Green spectrum analyzer.
When comparing spectrum analyzers, it has become common to reference a 100% Probability of Intercept (POI) specification. POI refers to the minimum transmitter pulse duration that can be detected with a 100% Probability of Intercept. When looking at these types of specifications, it is very important to understand the assumptions behind the claims and how they are calculated; with POI, it is essential to understand the span at which the POI spec is calculated.
To assist with report writing and analysis after a sweep is complete, the OSCOR provides the ability to capture various types of information from the display, demodulated video, and audio signals. All information captured is stored to either a compact flash card or a USB storage device, not the OSCOR itself. In order to recognize an external USB hard drive, the device must be formatted with a FAT file system such as FAT32. If needed, the OSCOR can format the hard drive using the Storage Manager feature (see page 22 of the OSCOR Green manual).
Broadband detectors like the REI CPM-700 can be used to physically sweep a room to locate the source of a radio frequency (RF) transmission. One of the benefits of a broadband detector is the displayed response to a nearby transmitter is almost instantaneous. When the antenna comes within range of a transmitter, an immediate response is displayed if it is the strongest signal present.
When the OSCOR™ saves a Spectrogram waterfall file, it may be confusing to see a perceptibly small .wfl file size in comparison to what might be expected from a long term data capture.
For over thirty years, REI has been manufacturing its entire product line in-house. “We have people behind our products,” says Production Manager Derek Lane. “A team of individuals work together, each an expert on the component for which they are responsible, to assemble every product before it makes one last stop.”
Screenshot of the Masking function in use on the OSCOR Green. Here we can see a list of suspect signals in the middle with detailed information providing a better understanding of unusual signals in the area.
When extended capture and analysis of RF traffic is required, it can be tedious to analyze large volumes of resulting data. The Spectrogram Waterfall function on the OSCOR is an effective tool for visually inspecting RF energy over time. However, the Masking function may be an alternative starting point to help perform signal data analysis more efficiently.
Research Electronics International recently released a software update for the TALAN Telephone and Line Analyzer, version 2.04. The update can be downloaded from the website and includes installation instructions with the update files. Upcoming firmware updates will include enhancements to VoIP features. Version 2.04 improves several key TALAN functions.
