ATIS Releases Standard on the Lawfully Authorized Electronic Surveillance (LAES) for Internet Access and Services

March 22, 2007, Washington, DC – ATIS announced today the release of its Standard on Lawfully Authorized Electronic Surveillance (LAES) for Internet Access and Services ( ATIS-PP-1000013.2007). The standard supports the ability of Internet access providers and Internet service providers to assist law enforcement agencies in intercepting Internet broadband data – and defines the communication-identifying information and content to be intercepted and reported, as well as the delivery format. Additionally, the standard provides for a “safe harbor” as specified in Section 107 of the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA).

This newly released LAES standard applies to the intercept of data from individuals whose communications have been authorized to be delivered to a law-enforcement agency (LEA) by a legal instrument, such as a warrant. Once the LEA serves the Internet access or service provider (IASP), the IASP accesses the identified information, mediates as needed, and delivers the information to the LEA via equipment, facilities, or services the LEA has procured. Such information and data may include e-mail, instant messaging records, web-browsing information and other information sent or received through a user’s broadband connection, including on-line banking activity.

While previous LAES standards from ATIS have addressed VoIP communication, the focus of this new standard is on network(s) that provide subscriber connectivity to the Internet. Internet access and services may be provided by a set of independent or related entities, i.e., a Digital Subscriber Line or Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi ®) provider and an Internet service provider. The standard is available online via the ATIS Web site at https://www.atis.org/docstore/product.aspx?id=22665

About the ATIS Packet Technologies and Systems Committee

The ATIS Packet Technologies and Systems Committee (PTSC) develops and recommends standards and technical reports related to services, architectures, and signaling. It also addresses related subjects under consideration in other North American and international standards bodies. The PTSC LAES Subcommittee co-ordinates and develops standards, technical requirements, technical reports and other documents relevant to LAES of packet-mode technology in telecommunications networks. For more information about the ATIS PTSC, visit www.atis.org/ptsc

About ATIS

ATIS is a leading standards development and technical planning organization committed to rapidly developing and promoting technical and operations standards for the communications and related information technologies industry worldwide using a pragmatic, flexible and open approach. Participants from more than 300 communications companies are active in ATIS’ 22 industry committees, Incubator Solutions Program, and other activities. www.atis.org