Understand Content Filtering

What is Content Filtering?

Content filtering is a system that enables an organisation to monitor the activities of all personnel who have access to a PC.

Content filtering systems filter emails according to a criteria set by the management of the organisation and either block them or prevent them being sent. It can, for example, let a manager know that a particular employee is perhaps looking at pornography. Or it can keep a record of emails that can be inspected later if, for example, an employee is accused of harassing a colleague or sending abusive email or racist material.

Content filtering is a key part of Internet Security where the technology is used to do as it says on the tin and that’s ‘filter content’ coming in from the web so users are free from unwanted content, often porn. A key vendor of Content Filtering is Websense who have superb SME and Enterprise solutions whilst major security vendor Symantec on acquiring Brightmail in 2004 integrated content filtering within their antivirus solution. Kaspersky has content filtering built into their hosted web security solutions and Webroot, SmoothWall, Clearswift, GFI, Bluecoat, Edgewave, F-Secure and Bloxx are just some of many other vendors who supply Content Filtering solutions.

The Future of Content Filtering

Many companies already monitor emails and web activity and this is set to continue due to increased legislation.

Compliance – many US and UK companies have to comply with legislation ensuring that email records are retained for a specific period of time.

Libel laws – a company or its senior officers can be held responsible for the actions of their employees.

Illicit material – to prevent people downloading pornography and other offensive material.

Why Content Filtering?

Some 1 billion emails are sent every hour and 50% of those contain sensitive information. As a result there has been a growth in the number of lawsuits based on, for example, sexual harassment and criminal activity. There have been instances where personnel have been using company PCs and the network in order to conduct illegal activities. Also, the increased incidents of terrorists using the internet in order to plan their activities further exacerbate the problem.

Pitfalls of Content Filtering

• ‘Big Brother’ – content filtering can be seen to be interference by senior management and the general perception amongst employees might be that the management don’t trust their personnel.

• It may block the wrong email or content and the sender may only find out after a period of time. If, for example, this is commercial material such as business proposals, this could be seen as a major inhibitor.

• Can be restricting – if certain content is being blocked or filtered all the time then it could prove frustrating. For example, if a student wishing to investigate breast cancer using the school’s internet access was blocked because it was deemed that the word ‘breast’ was inappropriate.

• Could be considered intrusive – as long as emails are marked personal then it is reasonable to allow people some personal activities.

• Installing a filtering program is not always legal – in some countries they are not allowed so you need to check carefully what applies to your country and industry.

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