Covert recording is the secret capture of audio or video without the knowledge of the people being recorded. In cyber security, it sits at the intersection of physical security and insider risk: the threat may not involve malware, but it can still expose confidential plans, credentials spoken aloud, personal data, or strategic discussions.
Attackers may hide a phone, voice recorder, camera, or other device in a meeting room, vehicle, or office to collect information over time. Defenders reduce this risk with visitor controls, room inspections, device policies, and security sweeps of sensitive areas. The key lesson is that a secure network does not protect conversations if the room itself is not controlled.