Advanced Capabilities Group

What we did

We worked behind the scenes since late 2016, and operated at the intersection of digital security, physical security, research, and unconventional tradecraft as an offshoot of the Digital Ops Group*, helping to develop the critical skills and tools needed to disrupt the asymmetric world of security. Our work supported leaders, organizations, and individuals who faced ambiguous, high-friction, or adversarial environments.

Our collection of services and customized solutions included:

— Digital special reconnaissance

— Disruption and Offensive digital operations

— Reduced-signature digital security operations

— Worst-case-scenario digital security assessments

— Physical security assessments and red team operations

— Digital footprint analysis and reduction

— Personal security evaluation and coaching

— Combined physical and digital security training

— Program design for complex organizations

— Custom security tools and operator workflows

Approach

We worked in small teams with low overhead, minimal visibility, and high operational tempo.

Our methods were shaped by field operations between 2016 and 2021, and remain focused on practicality, discretion, and measurable effect.

Past projects

We were tasked by different organizations to perform a variety of activities. The length of the engagements ranged from short term (usually 3-4 weeks engagements) to long term and more complex ones (usually between 6 and 12 months). The average project usually lasted around four months.

A few examples:

— Annual all-domain red team assessments of one of the largest tech companies in the EU

— Advanced physical reconnaissance in Africa and Asia for an NGO

— Worst-case-scenario tabletops and actual simmulations for a large NYC finantial organization

— Digital footprint analysis and mitigation for a multinational manufacturer in Asia

— Digital personal security evaluation and risk mitigation for a VC firm out of SF

— Digital security program and team building for a large tech company in the MA area

— Physical security assessment and red team assessment on a research lab in the MA area

— Attack tools development for law enforcement

— Digital reconnaissance for a law enforcement agency in the EU

— Tools development for a tech company in Israel

— Quarterly red team assessments of a large tech company in TX

— Advanced physical and digital reconnaissance in-country in preparation for an operation for an NGO

— Digital reconnaissance and tools development for a goverment organization

Origins

* The Digital Ops Group operated between 2008 and 2016, and it specialized in digital intelligence, security operations, and digital warfare.