Patent ID: 8151354

Claim:
One or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media containing computer readable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed by a computing device, perform a method for reducing an amount of communications traffic from being dropped in a service provider network due to a malicious attack, the method comprising: monitoring network resource usage corresponding to network elements; carrying communication signal traffic in a communications network, wherein the communication signal traffic comprises one of an emergency traffic signal and a traffic signal directed to a detection and mitigation protection service subscribing customer; and based on the network resource usage, if a malicious attack is indicated, then performing the following for each signal of the communication signal traffic; accessing a data store for data relating to the detection and mitigation protection service subscribing customer; based on the data, determining if the communication signal traffic is directed to the detection and mitigation protection service subscribing customer; and based on the determination, cleaning each communication signal directed to the detection and mitigation protection service subscribing customer.