The Big Breach - Index of

The Big Breach; From Top Secret to Maximum SecurityCompliments of http://www.192.commicroswitch so that pressing the `stop' and `record' buttons togethermade the machine record over the central track. Pressing `stop' and`play' together played back the recording. They also demonstratedmodified laptop computers. The removable floppy discs used in ordinarycomputers have a hidden space which is just big enough to hide a simpleword processing system and file retrieval system. Typing in a simplecommand at the DOS prompt started up the special word processor system,allowing notes to be secretly recorded. Exiting the software, thecomputer reverted to normal mode, leaving the secret files invisibleeven to an accomplished computer specialist.We also learned how to use SRAC (Short Range Agent Communication). Thissystem is only issued to long-established and highly trusted agents incountries such as Russia and South Africa. The agent writes a messageon a laptop computer, then downloads it into the SRAC transmitter, asmall box the size of a cigarette packet. The receiver is usuallymounted in the British embassy and continually sends out a low-powerinterrogation signal. When the agent is close enough, in his car or onfoot, his transmitter is triggered and transmits the message in a highspeedburst of VHF. The transmitter is disguised as an innocuous objectand for many years `Garfield Cat' stuffed animals were popular as theirsucker feet allowed the agent to stick the transmitter on the sidewindow of his car, giving an extra clear signal as he drove past theembassy.Photography is another important skill for an intelligence officer,whether to snap a surveillance shot of a target or to photograph secretdocuments. We were taught photography by an instructor from theservice's technical support division, TOS/PH. He showed us how to takelong-range snaps of targets using huge telephoto lenses and how to takeclear close-ups of documents. MI6 uses commercially availablephotographic equipment where possible because anything specially madecould be compromising. We did, however, practise with gadgets such asmidget cameras and specially made collapsible document-copying cameras.Best fun, though, were the lessons on covert photography during whichwe secretly photographed members of the public with a variety of stilland video cameras mounted in briefcases or shoulder bags. Back in anunderground cellar below the Fort we were taught how to develop ourshots as every overseas MI6 station has a darkroom which we wereexpected to know how to use.Twice a week, we were given instruction in self-defence in the Fort'ssmall gymnasium. Our instructor, Bill, was a former sergeant in theRoyal Marines Special Boat Service who had also worked for a few yearsfor the Las Vegas police force. Although only a little over five feettall and dwarfed by all of us, he could put any of us on the floor orin an agonising thumb-lock within seconds. Over the weeks, we weretaught how to judo-throw would-be attackers, fend off knife attacks,escape from headlocks and armlocks, and disarm a gunman. Self-defenceis taught more for fun and morale building than for any real purpose -a traffic warden has more need of it than an MI6 officer and physicalviolence is never deliberately used. Bill could only recall oneincident when a former student put the teaching into practice. A femaleofficer was receiving unwanted attention from a drunken lout on a trainduring her evening commute. While the yob pestered her, the other malepassengers buried their noses deeper into their newspapers. Eventuallyshe could take no more and, just as Bill had taught her, she tightlypage- 45 - To purchase the original limited edition hardback version of this bookplease call 08000 192 192 or go to http://www.192.com