These solutions are typically divided into three key functions: access, mediation and collection.

The access function comprises existing network elements that are provisioned to provide call detail records or call content for target individuals. Alternatively, passive probes may be used where no such capability exists on the access element.

The mediation (or delivery) function is used for warrant provisioning, communicating with the access elements and probes and formatting call data for delivery to the law enforcement agency (LEA).

The collection function equates to products deployed by LEAs for the appropriate collection and analysis of call records and content.

The Xcipio™ portfolio comprises purpose built, passive probes that support interception of targeted communication streams in a broadband IP network. The probes provide wire-speed scalability from 10Mbps to 10Gbps in either server or chassis based configurations, with the flexibility to filter and target from the protocol (ATM, Ethernet and IP) to user application (e.g. email, VoIP, chat etc.) layer. Where lawfully permitted, powerful string search capabilities can also be enabled, supporting the free-form parsing of traffic streams in excess of 200Mbps.

The Xcipio mediation platform is a complete lawful intercept delivery function for PSTN, VoIP, GSM, GPRS, CDMA2000, Push-to-talk and IP-based applications. In compliance with ANSI, ETSI and CableLabs standards,
the Xcipio mediation function can provision a broad range of access network elements and readily interface with compliant collection functions.

Based on a proven, standards-based and cost-effective scalable architecture, the Xcipio mediation function already provides intercept capabilities for over 100 million subscriber lines in the United States alone and is being deployed in major wireline, wireless and cable service provides’ networks on multiple continents.

With virtually all network architectures somewhat unique, SS8 has developed considerable expertise in tailoring mediation solutions that fit standard, or non-standard, multi-vendor environments.

Through a strategic relationship with Pen-Link Ltd. (www.pen-link.com), SS8 Networks supplies collection and analysis software to government agencies. Pen-Link’s LINCOLN2 collection server offers a high-end data collection and monitoring platform that stores and tracks call data and call content for warranted target interception.

In conjunction, Pen-Link 8 desktop software provides multi-dimensional analysis of target individuals’ communications, including telephone calls, emails, web-browsing, push-to-talk conversations and multimedia messaging.