Surveillance Zone: The Hidden World of Corporate Surveillance Detection & Covert Special Operations

by Ami Toben

Surveillance Zone gives you an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look into a mysterious world that very few people know exists. It’s the world of private-sector espionage, surveillance detection and covert protective operations that take place right here at home, under most people’s noses. In these pages, you’ll How corporate sector surveillance and surveillance detection work. What real-world special operations are like How covert operators blend into different environments. What type of people get into this industry Why this industry exists. Get a first-person account of actual covert operations the author has participated in. Learn the secrets of the trade, and discover a hidden world that’s all around you.

Genres: Nonfiction, Espionage

174 pages, Paperback

Published May 21, 2017

About the author

Ami Toben is the author of Surveillance Zone and Ghost Echo and an experienced security professional who specializes in terrorist activity prevention, surveillance detection, and covert protective operations.

Trained in Israel, Japan and the US, Ami has over 20 years of military (IDF) and private sector security experience. Currently based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Ami has been providing high-end protective services to Fortune 500 corporations, foreign governments, foundations, nonprofit organizations and high-net-worth individuals.

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Decent overview of surveillance and surveillance detection

This book (which I found out about from a SOFREP podcast) was pretty much as described: a brief intro to corporate (Silicon Valley in particular) surveillance detection, and to some extent, surveillance. I'd always wondered about the low level of overt physical security and protection in most of the corporate world, especially Silicon Valley, and whether there was some level of SD or CS going on -- turns out there is, although it is still far from the levels you see in gov/mil situations, or in many other countries with more severe and more frequent criminal threats.

The author has mostly a martial arts background, but is very intelligent and observant, so everything is explained without falling into assuming the reader is an expert or from the LE/IC/Mil world. Surveillance and surveillance detection probably isn't terribly relevant to the daily lives of most people (basic physical protection and awareness are enough, although a level of passing familiarity can be helpful.

(I'm not really an expert in any of this field stuff at all, although I do have a deep background in various technical aspects of security and surveillance/CS; it was interesting to me just how low tech everything presented was.)

[Eddie Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Easy to follow especially if you come from law enforcement like myself. I was able to visualize everything Ami Toben was attempting to illustrate. It's a great compliment to my own book because Mr. Toben focuses on counter surveillance and surveillance detection, whereas in my book, "Surveillance: A Concept of the Art", I focus on how to properly conduct a surveillance. Whether you're in counter surveillance, or just surveillance, this book is definitely a must.

[Andre Du · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharpening up on your surveillance abilities

I enjoyed reading the book. It brought back vivid memories of personal training and work experience years ago. It is good to sharpen up on surveillance techniques by hearing from an expert in the field. The book strikes a good balance between reality and romantic thoughts of being an undercover operator. I loved the reading on identifying hostile or counter-surveillance operators and how to spot them whilst remaining covert.

[C.C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Must Read For Today’s World

Anyone can (and should) take the advice and lesson in this book to heart. Being prepared and in the right mindset is so critical in today’s world and I wish more people would realize this.

[Gregg C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good intro to clandestine surveillance

Fascinating intro to the surveillane world and it's techniques. Enough examples to show pracutcal application. Things we can use to increase our situational awarrness in our everyday lives.

[Teodor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read, simple language, not much details

If you expected some meat, there's only an avocado salad. It reads like an abc for ex-whatever to grasp the basics. Simple examples, simple techniques.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Writing wasn't bad, liked listening to author read book. He definitely has a pass for his topic and that is what kept me listening to. The information was a bit to general for me. Could have fit in a pamphlet.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read. Good for those new to the business. For those who work in the field, it’s a bit insufferable. I learned a few things, though, so I’m glad to have read it.

[Marie Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Event planners, promoters, students, communities and tourists could benefit from this. I prefer the full stories but the points are good.