A device associated with the authentication of a user on a network, i.e.,
an "authentication device," initiates lawful interception of network
traffic associated with the user. The authentication device communicates
with a network service device, such as an edge router, providing network
access or other services to the user to enable and disable monitoring of
the network user. The authentication device may issue intercept requests
to the network service device upon authenticating the network user during
login or at any time while the network user's session is in progress.
Upon receiving an intercept request from the authentication device, the
network service device mirrors data packets flowing to and from the
network user for which interception has been designated. The mirrored
packets are sent to an analyzer, which analyzes the packets and provides
packet analysis information to a law enforcement agency.