A system performs an electronic surveillance in a packet-switched network. The system includes a first card (300), a second card (400), and an electronic surveillance device (120). The first card (300) stores first data identifying a first operational mode and second data identifying a time period. The second card (400) stores activation information. The electronic surveillance device (120) reads the first card (300) and conditions itself for operating in the first operational mode for the specified time period. The electronic surveillance device (120) also reads the second card (400) and performs a packet capture operation in accordance with the first operational mode for the specified time period in response to reading the second card (400).