Suggestions for MAT filtering?

[Shaun_Dark_Lord]

Hi All

 

I'm looking for some suggestions from end users.

 

The "highly regarded" edge content filtering system we currently have employed doesn't do the job (I didn't pick it - it was an "upgrade" chosen by our ISP). With the adoption of newer SSL/TLS standards, this was not a surprise, but puts us in a position where inappropriate content is getting through and reporting is laughable.

 

So, I'm on the hunt for a content filtering system, that's ideally cloud-based and supports Windows and Chrome devices. It would be nice to have all the safeguarding features baked in, but if it has the capability of building them that will do.

 

Thanks in advance!

[Jcx500]

Securely or senso

[Norphy]

Can you tell us what the highly regarded system is, so that we don't recommend the same thing?

[caffrey]

Could it be *cough*net*cough*sweep*cough*er ?

[paulkerton]

Securly or Lightspeed

[paulkerton]

The "highly regarded" edge content filtering system we currently have employed doesn't do the job (I didn't pick it - it was an "upgrade" chosen by our ISP).

 

Was it a broadband company for schools, perhaps?

[Wave9_Lee]

Hi All

 

I'm looking for some suggestions from end users.

 

The "highly regarded" edge content filtering system we currently have employed doesn't do the job (I didn't pick it - it was an "upgrade" chosen by our ISP). With the adoption of newer SSL/TLS standards, this was not a surprise, but puts us in a position where inappropriate content is getting through and reporting is laughable.

 

So, I'm on the hunt for a content filtering system, that's ideally cloud-based and supports Windows and Chrome devices. It would be nice to have all the safeguarding features baked in, but if it has the capability of building them that will do.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Hi Shaun

 

sent you a PM - I can recommend Sophos XG, or Lightspeed, there are pros and cons for both, and mainly pros if used in combination - Let me know if you'd like a demo or to speak to any reference customers.

 

cheers

[Shaun_Dark_Lord]

I didn't want to say who we're currently using, as the implementation is out of our control, and there may well be very happy customers.

 

For those of you recommending specific products, please could you elaborate? Are you also running a mix of Windows and ChromeOS clients? Have you run into any issues?

[ITGURU]

Censornet USS - cloud filtering platform with local gateway VMs for guest WiFi - have 2 for redundancy.

Also has an agent for off-site devices.

[danielghares]

Securly. We got it in the summer, but the rest of our trust have been using it for much longer. It's been great so far, and was easy to setup and deploy across our windows & chromeos devices, as well as on our BYOD network

[localzuk]

We use 2 systems here, for 2 different use cases.

 

For onsite stuff, we have Sophos XG - its a good system overall. A little complicated to manage at times, and built in reporting isn't amazing.

For Chromebooks, which are taken home - Securly. Expensive. Inflexible (eg. no regex support). But, it has good reporting, and some really nice safeguarding features.

[bwestlake]

Have a look at FortiGate

[ibpalle]

Obviously I'd recommend taking a look at Smoothwall. UK based with options for both on-premise and cloud, which can be mixed, and there is a range of monitoring options with the MMS system as well as built in safeguarding reporting. New cloud reporting options with massively improved speeds for reporting is in it's final trial stages now, so should be in general release this year. Comes both as filter solution and as UTM with filtering so may offer some consolidation options.

[Lightspeed_SE]

Hi Shaun,

 

This page gives you a bit more information on how Lightspeed works with MATs:

https://www.lightspeedsystems.com/why-lightspeed/problems-we-solve/multi-academy-trusts-mats/

 

I can also point you in the direction of our current MATs for references or answer any questions you have if you PM me.