What are the signs of potential counter-surveillance during operations?

• A. No signs of surveillance.
• B. Unusual follow vehicles, repeated route patterns, unfamiliar persons observing, and inconsistent information from bystanders.
• C. Visible cameras everywhere.
• D. Hesitation and indecision by leadership.

Answer: (B)

Recognizing indicators that someone may be tracking your operation. Counter-surveillance is about spotting signs that someone is watching, shadowing, or trying to gather information about your movements, plans, or personnel. When you observe a combination of specific cues, it raises the possibility that surveillance is active and your team should heighten awareness and adjust accordingly.

Unusual follow vehicles suggest a vehicle appears to be tailing you, which is a classic sign someone is monitoring your movements rather than just being in the area by coincidence. Repeated route patterns indicate that someone has studied your commutes or planned paths, sticking to the same streets or intersections despite no operational reason to do so. Unfamiliar persons observing from a distance point to external eyes focusing on your team rather than random onlookers. Inconsistent information from bystanders can signal attempts to mislead or confuse you about who is observing or what is happening around the operation.

These together form a coherent picture that surveillance might be underway, prompting you to increase vigilance, verify intel, and adjust routes or procedures as needed. In contrast, the idea that there are no signs of surveillance isn’t a workable basis for staying unaware, and noting cameras everywhere or leadership hesitation alone doesn’t capture the specific indicators of counter-surveillance.