By Ray Stern, Phoenix New Times Blog...
Maricopa County Supervisors Spend $14,600 Sweeping for Bugs
It seems like the very definition of paranoia: Spending thousands of dollars sweeping for hidden electronic devices -- and finding none. But that's what Maricopa County Supervisors are doing -- with your money. The county has now spent $14,600 sweeping for bugs on the 10th floor of the county building at 301 West Jefferson Street, and no bugs have been discovered. (more)
Bad press?
Not really, just the usual sensationalized reporting without all the facts.
To an underpaid reporter, $14,600 sounds like a lot of money. Can't blame him for ranting.
HOWEVER, if our reporter dug deeper...
Bug sweeps protect against fraudulent bidding on multi-million dollar county contracts throughout the year. (Just one of many good examples.) Periodic sweeps are cheap insurance and proper due diligence.
Eavesdropping detection audits are a standard practice in business and government. Combined with other professional security measures the proper outcome is "no bugs found." Not conducting eavesdropping detection sweeps may be considered negligence. And that might be the topic of an even better article!
Even the reporter had to admit that my colleague was above reproach...
The county is using Arizona Technical Security, a Scottsdale company. Jeff Evert, the company's owner, told New Times that if the county had hired him to do anything, he wouldn't talk about it. He wouldn't budge even when told we were looking at the bill. At least someone in this world has ethics, right?
Right, and Ray Stern should interview Jeff to learn the value of bug sweeps. And as for Max Wilson, Chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, your taxpayers should be proud of you for properly safeguarding their money. ~Kevin
