Learn the top 5 signs your office may be under technical surveillance in Singapore. Safeguard business assets and data with expert counter-surveillance strategies.
Surveillance Threats Are Rising in Singapore: Why Businesses Must Pay Attention?
Singapore’s reputation as a secure, smart city and innovation hub makes it an ideal base for regional headquarters, R&D labs, and data centres. However, with this strategic importance comes greater exposure to surveillance threats. In 2025, the Singaporean government revealed that a espionage group [rumoured to have links to China] was actively targeting the nation’s critical infrastructure, including energy, finance, water, and transport systems.
At the same time, according to IBM report, the average cost of a data breach for businesses rose to approximately USD 4.4 million. These figures highlight a clear reality: covert surveillance and data leaks are not just theoretical risks. They are active and escalating globally as well as in Singapore’s highly connected commercial ecosystem.
1.Unusual Interference in Communication Devices
Watch out for disruptions in your communication systems, including:
- Static, echo, or clicking sounds on voice or video calls
- Sudden call quality drops or unexplained device overheating
- Slower Wi-Fi speeds or erratic network usage patterns
These may signal the presence of hidden listening devices or network-monitoring tools. In a smart workspace, such irregularities should prompt immediate technical investigation.
2. Unexplained Physical Alterations or New Items
Even minor physical changes in the workplace can conceal surveillance devices:
- Dislodged ceiling panels or newly drilled holes in walls
- Unidentified USB chargers, desk clocks, or power strips
- Tampered locks or access panels in restricted rooms
In high-density commercial districts such as Raffles Place, Changi Business Park, or Jurong, shared facilities make it easier for unauthorised actors to plant such tools unnoticed.
3. Frequent Technical Malfunctions
Persistent system failures or irregularities in office infrastructure could indicate covert activity:
- Computers rebooting or showing signs of remote access
- Security cameras intermittently going offline
- Sudden lighting changes or power surges in secure rooms
While these may appear technical, when repeated, they can be symptoms of installed surveillance equipment disrupting systems.
4. Suspicious Access Patterns
Unauthorised or unmonitored access is one of the most common enablers of surveillance breaches:
- Unverified maintenance personnel or external vendors gaining entry
- After-hours visits to executive offices or boardrooms
- Unusual activity logs from access control systems
According to Singapore’s National Cyber Security Masterplan, businesses must prioritise physical and operational controls to guard against these infiltration methods.
5. Leaks of Confidential Information
This is one of the most serious red flag. If proprietary information suddenly appears in public or competitive hands:
- Business plans, tenders, or legal matters surfacing prematurely
- Media or online sources referencing internal decisions
- Employees receiving targeted phishing emails with private data
This may indicate that surveillance is not only present but actively being exploited.
How to Respond?
1. Engage a professional firm to conduct a Technical Surveillance Counter-Measures (TSCM) sweep:
Hire Singapore-based TSCM experts to scan and inspect offices using RF analyzers, thermal detectors, and signal mapping. These tools detect unauthorised transmissions and devices hidden in ceilings, fixtures, or furniture.
2. Strengthen internal access control protocols and surveillance systems:
Implement biometric authentication, update visitor logs, and reinforce CCTV coverage, particularly in high-security zones like server rooms or executive offices.
3. Educate employees on how to detect and report suspicious devices or behaviour:
Run awareness training covering social engineering risks, suspicious device detection, and the importance of reporting anomalies.
4. Review high-value areas for physical and network vulnerabilities:
Inspect critical areas regularly, including meeting rooms, data hubs, and R&D labs. Network segmentation and real-time monitoring can help detect hidden devices communicating externally.
Partner with Experts in Singapore
At MitKat Advisory, we support Singapore-based companies across sectors finance, logistics, manufacturing, and technology with world-class Technical Surveillance Counter-Measures (TSCM) and strategic risk assessments. Our experts help you uncover vulnerabilities, protect high-value assets, and meet national regulatory expectations.
Concerned your office might be under surveillance?
Book a confidential consultation today and take control of your information security with confidence.