Suppling Internet Connection Records (ICRs): Is Size Important?

Under the current legislation, Network Operators and Internet Service Providers are required to be capable of providing Internet Connection Records (ICRs) to approved agencies. This legislative framework mandates that all Operators and ISPs, regardless of their size, budget, or area of coverage, must be able to produce, manage, and store ICRs when requested for the required period of time. This means that Operators and ISPs of all sizes must produce ICRs on request.

However, as generating metadata for ICRs is not in the standards for Carrier network equipment, additional infrastructure is required. Given the vast network footprint difference between small ISPs and Operators with national coverage, there is no one size fits all strategy for the generation of ICR metadata, and yet they must all be able to generate ICRs.

For larger Operators and ISPs, the sheer volume of data they handle and the broader user base they serve statistically increase the likelihood of their data being requested by approved agencies. Security concerns are universal and not confined to the user bases of larger Operators and ISPs. Smaller Operators and ISPs also play a critical role in national security and we would anticipate bad actors to favour using them to avoid detection of their communications, on the assumption they are poorly equipped to log activity.

Smaller Operators and ISPs can face challenges due to limited internal resources for sourcing and managing the necessary equipment and processes. The financial burden of generating and storing vast amounts of metadata can be substantial. However, advancements in technology and evolving legislation have made it not only achievable but imperative for all Operators and ISPs to integrate these technologies.

At Red Helix, we have been helping network owners to monitor and secure their networks since 1984. We can provide metadata generation solutions architected for the needs of network owners of any size to comply with the Investigatory Powers Act, that are scalable for the needs of tomorrow.

If you’re looking for help with the generation of metadata for Internet Connection Records, contact us today to hear how we’re helping network owners small and large to comply with their obligations.