In an embodiment, a communication node coupled to a first data network and
a second data network is disclosed. The first data network is a wide area
data network. The communication node includes a first data interface to
the first data network, a second data interface to the second data
network, a data processor responsive to the first data interface and to
the second data interface, and an encryption module coupled to the data
processor. The first data interface is a telephony type interface and the
second data interface is a packet data interface. The data processor
receives input traffic data carried over the first data interface and
generates management performance data based on measurements with respect
to the input traffic data. The encryption module receives the management
performance data to produce encrypted management performance data to be
communicated to the second data network via the second data interface.