The lobby group has produced guidelines for its members which it
says will make it easier for law enforcement agencies to conduct
investigations.
"Law enforcement agencies (LEAs) may wish to contact an ISPA
member company to request assistance with an investigation," says
the body's best
current practice document. "ISPA members should make available
contact details of a named individual or other contact point for
these purposes."
"In urgent cases, a LEA may wish to contact a member company
outside normal working hours. Members should, where possible,
provide a 24hr point of contact for the purposes of responding to
urgent requests for assistance," it said.
“ISPA already has excellent relations with the Home Office,
Government officials and law enforcement agencies," said Jessica
Hendrie-Liaño, Chair of the ISPA Council. "This document aims to
strengthen these ties."
ISPA recommends that ISPs lodge details with the Home Office for
inclusion on a list of contacts which is made available to public
authorities.
Law enforcement agencies can obtain communications data from an
ISP without a warrant, including website, email and IP addresses.
But to intercept the content of communications, the Regulation of
Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) requires police, customs and
security services to obtain a warrant from the Secretary of
State or in emergency situations a senior Home Office official, not
a court.
