By Joe Hogan

Lawfully Authorized Electronic Surveillance (LAES) is challenging service providers to retain data through various criteria and across multiple next-generation networks such as WiMAX, cable and IMS—not an easy task when considering the expansive subscriber bases and massive amounts of data traveling across any given service provider network. This standard addresses the interfaces between a service provider and a law enforcement agency to assist the agency in conducting electronic surveillance; however, in the continuous mad scramble that is telecom today, this is easier said than done.

What does LAES Mean for Service Providers?

Lawful network surveillance and data retention mandates have gone from low-visibility, back-office functions to a critical need, for which operators may be required to compile millions of customer records in a matter of hours to turn over to authorities. The sheer volume becomes a stumbling block for operators, and the consequences of non-compliance are severe—it can lead to fines and even lawsuits, if surveillance is done improperly.

Further complicating this mandate is the emergence of converged services. With so many different types of data services, the laws are expanding to include information about all communication sessions, including phone calls, text messages, emails, and video and picture messages. This mandate brings cellular service to mind, but in actuality, extends across all providers of wireless, wireline, broadband, and cable services.

While all services are subject to LAES mandates, 85 percent of all intercepts executed worldwide are for communications over a mobile or portable device. To track these transactions, roving surveillance is of utmost importance. As networks grow in complexity with the deployment of next-generation infrastructures such as IMS, the demands made on systems that collect and correlate this data are steadily increasing.