Web-filtering keeps your business safe and productive

The internet and the services that run on it are an essential part of any business's activity, from finances and asset management to communications and information sharing. Web-filtering and DNS-layer security helps protect your business by ensuring colleagues only access the appropriate sites and blocks links to malicious sites.

"Web filtering and DNS-layer security is a system that allows businesses to control the content that their users can access on the internet. This can be done by blocking certain websites, categories of websites, or keywords," explains Chris Joberns, Managing Director at Strident.

"In addition to the more obvious types of sites, such as adult sites or social media, a business may want to prevent staff from using the wrong services. For example, blocking Microsoft OneDrive and only allowing Microsoft OneDrive for Business ensures where the company stores its data and has its control policies."

Cisco Umbrella goes beyond filtering.

Cisco Umbrella is a cloud-delivered security platform that protects users and devices, regardless of their location. This makes is easy to deploy and manage across an organisation.

DNS-layer security provides protection against malware, phishing, and other online threats by inspecting and blocking malicious traffic at the DNS (Domain Name System) level. Even if a user accidentally clicks on a malicious link, Umbrella will step in to prevent threats from reaching users' devices, even if they are not connected to the business network.

An Umbrella app can also be installed on the PC, tablet or phone (either downloaded manually or 'pushed' in the background by the Strident Agent app) to scan and monitor the device unobtrusively for malicious links in apps and documents.

Discover what is happening on your network.

Setting daily, weekly or monthly reports is a convenient way to keep an eye on what's going on. While your business may want to block pornographic sites, you may be happy to allow social media and simply keep an eye on its usage.

Reports can cover specific users or groups, and specific sites or categories of site. This allows as much or as little detail to be viewed a required, and there is always the option to go to the Umbrella dashboard and perform a detailed search on a wide range of criteria.

"Cyber-attacks are becoming more sophisticated, and businesses need to use all the tools they can to ensure they remain safe. Cisco is a renowned supplier in the IT industry and Umbrella adds a highly affective level of security," adds Chris.

To find out more about Cisco Umbrella or business IT support, please get in touch.