🔬 Signals Intelligence (SIGINT)
Expert-level RF and wireless security - Advanced signal analysis and interception techniques
Expert Level - RFS SpecializationOverview
Signal Intelligence (SIGINT) represents an advanced domain in security assessment, focusing on analyzing and intercepting communication signals. This specialized track covers methodologies used in professional security assessments of wireless and communication systems.
🔍 Advanced Security Assessment
While this guide covers SIGINT fundamentals, enterprise communication security requires comprehensive assessment. For organizations in Portugal seeking professional security evaluation of their communication systems, Pentesting.pt provides specialized security assessment services.
Learning Objectives
- Master RF signal analysis and spectrum analysis techniques
- Develop expertise in Software Defined Radio (SDR) operations
- Learn wireless protocol interception and analysis
- Understand cellular network monitoring and security
- Master IoT device signal analysis and exploitation
- Develop communication intelligence gathering capabilities
📡 RF Signal Analysis
Spectrum Analysis Fundamentals
Understanding and analyzing the electromagnetic spectrum for signal intelligence.
- Frequency spectrum analysis
- Signal characteristics identification
- Modulation scheme recognition
- Signal strength and quality metrics
Signal Identification
Identifying and classifying unknown signals in the spectrum.
- Digital signal recognition
- Protocol fingerprinting
- Encryption detection techniques
- Signal pattern analysis
Frequency Hunting
Systematic discovery and analysis of interesting frequencies.
- Frequency scanning techniques
- Band plan analysis
- Hidden frequency discovery
- Dynamic frequency tracking
📻 Software Defined Radio (SDR)
RTL-SDR Operations
Entry-level SDR operations using RTL-SDR dongles.
- RTL-SDR setup and configuration
- GNU Radio Companion basics
- Signal recording and playback
- Basic demodulation techniques
HackRF Operations
Advanced SDR operations with full-duplex capabilities.
- HackRF One setup and usage
- Transmit and receive operations
- Signal generation and injection
- Replay attack implementations
USRP Advanced Operations
Professional-grade SDR operations for complex scenarios.
- USRP hardware platforms
- High-bandwidth signal processing
- Real-time signal analysis
- Custom protocol implementation
📱 Cellular Network Monitoring
GSM Interception
Global System for Mobile communications signal interception and analysis.
- GSM protocol analysis
- IMSI catching techniques
- A5/1 encryption analysis
- SMS interception methods
LTE Monitoring
Long Term Evolution network monitoring and security analysis.
- LTE protocol stack analysis
- eNodeB identification and mapping
- LTE security parameter analysis
- User equipment tracking
5G Security Research
Next-generation cellular network security analysis.
- 5G NR protocol analysis
- Network slicing security
- 5G core network monitoring
- mmWave signal analysis
🌐 Wireless Protocol Interception
WiFi Advanced Analysis
Advanced WiFi security analysis beyond basic pentesting.
- 802.11 frame analysis
- Management frame manipulation
- Beacon frame analysis
- Hidden network discovery
Bluetooth Protocol Analysis
Bluetooth and BLE protocol security assessment.
- Bluetooth Classic analysis
- BLE advertisement analysis
- Bluetooth mesh networking
- Bluetooth audio interception
ZigBee & Z-Wave Analysis
IoT protocol analysis for smart home and industrial systems.
- ZigBee mesh network analysis
- Z-Wave protocol interception
- IoT device enumeration
- Mesh network topology mapping
🏠 IoT Device Signal Analysis
Smart Home Protocols
Analysis of smart home communication protocols and devices.
- Matter/Thread protocol analysis
- Smart speaker interception
- Smart lock signal analysis
- Home automation protocol reverse engineering
Industrial IoT Analysis
Industrial IoT and SCADA communication analysis.
- Modbus RTU signal analysis
- DNP3 protocol interception
- Industrial wireless monitoring
- Critical infrastructure assessment
Vehicle Communication Systems
Automotive communication protocol analysis and security.
- CAN bus signal analysis
- Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication
- Key fob signal analysis
- Tire pressure monitoring systems
🛰️ Satellite Communication Analysis
VSAT Terminal Analysis
Very Small Aperture Terminal communication interception.
- VSAT signal identification
- DVB-S/S2 analysis
- Satellite modem protocols
- Encrypted VSAT analysis
Satellite Phone Interception
Satellite phone communication analysis and interception.
- Iridium signal analysis
- Inmarsat protocol analysis
- Satellite phone location tracking
- Thuraya system analysis
GNSS Signal Analysis
Global Navigation Satellite System signal analysis and spoofing.
- GPS signal structure analysis
- GNSS spoofing techniques
- Assisted-GPS analysis
- Multi-constellation analysis
🎛️ Communication Intelligence
Signal Intelligence Collection
Systematic collection and analysis of communication intelligence.
- COMINT collection techniques
- Traffic analysis methods
- Pattern recognition algorithms
- Metadata extraction techniques
Direction Finding
Locating and tracking radio frequency sources.
- Triangulation techniques
- Time difference of arrival (TDOA)
- Doppler shift analysis
- Mobile transmitter tracking
Cryptanalysis Fundamentals
Basic cryptanalysis techniques for intercepted communications.
- Weak encryption identification
- Key recovery techniques
- Traffic analysis attacks
- Side-channel analysis
🧪 Hands-on Lab: RF Signal Analysis Campaign
Objective: Perform comprehensive RF signal analysis including cellular, WiFi, and IoT protocols.
Duration: 12-16 hours
Skills Practiced: SDR operations, signal identification, protocol analysis, SIGINT collection
Start Lab Exercise🛠️ SIGINT Arsenal
SDR Hardware
- RTL-SDR: Entry-level receive-only SDR
- HackRF One: Half-duplex transceiver
- USRP: Professional SDR platform
- BladeRF: Full-duplex SDR
Analysis Software
- GNU Radio: SDR signal processing
- SDR#: Windows SDR software
- GQRX: Linux SDR receiver
- URH: Universal Radio Hacker
Specialized Tools
- Kalibrate: GSM base station discovery
- gr-gsm: GSM analysis toolkit
- srsLTE: LTE protocol stack
- Wireshark: Protocol analysis
📋 Recommended Resources
- Software Defined Radio for Engineers - Comprehensive SDR guide
- The Hobbyist's Guide to the RTL-SDR - Practical SDR applications
- GNU Radio Tutorials - Signal processing fundamentals
- Cellular Security Research - Academic papers and research
- RF and Microwave Circuit Design - RF engineering fundamentals
- Signals Intelligence Analysis - Professional SIGINT methods
🎯 Professional Applications
RFS SIGINT Expertise
Professional signals intelligence and RF security expertise:
- ✅ RF Signal Analysis and Spectrum Management
- ✅ Cellular Network Security Assessment
- ✅ IoT and Wireless Protocol Analysis
- ✅ Software Defined Radio Operations
- ✅ Communication Intelligence Collection
Industry Applications: Telecommunications security, critical infrastructure protection, IoT security research, and wireless penetration testing.
⚖️ Legal and Ethical Considerations
⚠️ Important Legal Notice
SIGINT activities must be conducted within legal boundaries:
- 🚫 Unauthorized interception of communications is illegal
- 📋 Always obtain proper authorization and permits
- 🏢 Work within organizational and governmental guidelines
- 🛡️ Respect privacy and data protection regulations
- 📚 Understand local and international communication laws
Professional Use Only: These techniques are for authorized security research, penetration testing, and defensive cybersecurity purposes only.
📈 Learning Progress
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