Seeking information though illicit means to gain an advantage or discover weaknesses is a human activity as old as mankind itself. From the first time someone lurked outside a window to eavesdrop on a conversation being held inside the room, protecting sensitive information from detection has been important.

Nowadays, technology has made it feasible to "eavesdrop" from the other side of the world by using IP-enabled covert microphones or video cameras, activated over the internet, to bug a room and to transmit the sound and picture to the remote operator. The principle is still the same, only the delivery mechanism has progressed.

Everyone can empathise with the special challenges facing the intelligence services, police and military to ensure that they are secure, particularly in today's climate. Conversely, many commercial organisations would find the concept of their premises being bugged, the homes of their senior executives put under surveillance and their telephones being tapped too extraordinary to contemplate.

However, research shows that this is what happens to millions of businesses across the globe on a daily basis. In any number of areas, time-sensitive information such as planned takeover bids can, quite literally, be worth a fortune to those who can profit by the illicit knowledge. Merchant banks, financial PR consultancies, lawyers, accountants and many other advisors will all be party to extremely important secret information - it only takes a bug in one boardroom for the whole operation to be in jeopardy.

A quick search on the web will show a huge number of covert devices, available to anyone with a credit card. High resolution cameras concealed in a smoke detector or clock, or even in sunglasses or a button on a suit, can transmit full colour images for a mile or more. Audio recorders concealed in computer mice, in ventilation grilles or elsewhere will pick up the quietest whisper, and it's no good going into the bathroom and turning on the taps, modern electronics will easily strip masking background noise from a recording, leaving crystal-clear voices.

Luckily, every advance in surveillance technology and equipment can be countered and the threat neutralised through the deployment of counter-surveillance detection and protection. Founded more than 10 years ago, Winkelmann UK has grown rapidly to become one of the world's leading specialists in the design, development and manufacture of a wide range of electronic countermeasure devices.

We design, develop and manufacture our equipment at our UK headquarters. We deal directly with end user and intermediary customers throughout the world and we have a network of specialist distributors located in key markets that provide local commercial and technical support for our products. We specialise in Radio Frequency detection and analysis; our products are currently in operational service with NATO, USA Army & UK MoD organisations.

Our product range is extensive. Each type of device has been specifically developed to counter a particular type of threat to give the highest possible levels of detection and protection from unauthorised surveillance.

We have an aggressive programme of new product developments in place. As product miniaturisation and transmitter technology advance, we to produce counter measures to ensure that legitimate operations can protect their intellectual property against theft.