Internet Content Filtering

I’m concerned about my employees misusing the internet in company time. I’m worried about them
downloading porn, doing too much shopping, or downloading harmful files.
That’s a legitimate concern, and there are internet content filtering solutions that are easy and cost-effective.
I don’t want to spend all my time monitoring our people, but I don’t want to break the law either. How can I keep
control, but not be a dictator?
That’s also fairly easily resolved, through IT solutions and the letter of the law.
Sounds encouraging. Tell me more.

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I don’t want to stop my employees using the internet, but need to exercise some degree of control. What is the
basic rationale of internet content filtering?
You are within you rights to control internet use at work for business reasons, as well as to keep your
server safe from viruses, and protecting your own data.
Good. Are there products that can help me do this?
Yes. You can use software, such as Web sense, or appliances, such as those made by Barracuda.
What do they do?
They can block certain sites, block applications not related to your business, and also block particular types
of downloads.
That’s useful, but I don’t want to block use of sites that might actually be legitimate. Let’s say I blocked sites with
the word ‘sex’ in them to avoid porn. Would this cut out sites that are simply asking for you to specify gender on a
log in?
In the early days, when blocking systems were crude, there were problems like this, but not any more. They
are much more sophisticated. Filtering products can access what category a site is in, i.e. if it’s porn,
holiday, job search, shopping etc.
Well, I might want to restrict those, especially in working hours! But I’m certain that there’s just a small number
of guilty parties. How can I find out who they are?
That’s easy. With content filtering, you can quickly build up statistical data of what sites were visited, by
whom, how often, for how long, and at what time.
That should help. Can I see what pages within those sites were visited too?
Yes, if you want to go into more detail that’s easily done.
What about passwords on hotmail accounts or credit card information?
That would be a problem as they’re security protected.
Fair enough. I certainly wouldn’t want anyone to see my credit card details.
What other concerns do you have?
I think it’s reasonable to restrict internet access during working hours, but perhaps allow more freedom at
lunchtimes. Is this curtailing freedom or do I have the right to impose some restrictions?
You do. But if you want to see what your legal position is then the information is easily accessible.
Are there standard terms and conditions set out for the workplace?
Yes, those are readily available. We can supply you with the information and products that will keep you
within the law, keep a lid on internet use, and also keep your workforce reasonably happy and
productive too.
Another problem sorted!


Also in this issue: Software Licensing and Web statistics