It’s a regular Tuesday morning. One of your students checks their inbox and sees that they’ve received a new message. They click on a link and are redirected to a website they believe to be safe — if only that were the case.
In reality, they’ve just fallen victim to a phishing attack. And that link? It brought them to a malicious website that infected their device — and soon enough, your whole district — with dangerous malware.
If that story makes your skin crawl: You’re not alone. Many schools have experienced this exact scenario and others similar. Fortunately, with the right content filter on your side, it’s possible to avoid such attacks.
Let’s talk about what makes web filtering so important and how it can help you protect students from harmful and malicious content online.
K-12 web filtering is the process of blocking inappropriate content before it appears in front of students. The idea is that by restricting internet access to a set of specific websites, schools can keep students safe from web activity that could do them harm.
Schools rely on a web filtering solution — known more simply as a content filter or internet filter — to facilitate this process on their behalf. Content filters can be hardware physically installed on-premises or web filtering software installed on the network infrastructure. However, with the rise of cloud computing, schools are turning to cloud-based filtering software solutions as a more flexible and reliable alternative.
Web content filtering solutions generally leverage a few essential tactics to regulate internet access.
These strategies include:
Filtering web activity has its advantages, both for your school district and its students. A high-quality content filter can:
As mentioned, CIPA requires schools to implement a technology protection measure that restricts internet access to minors. In other words, content filters are the rule — not the exception.
Aside from the law, web filtering has two vital functions: cyber safety and cybersecurity. For classroom settings specifically, they also work to foster engagement.
The most pressing use of content filtering software is to address student well-being. Since the turn of the century, parents and school administrators alike have grown concerned about whether the material minors access online could be damaging to their mental/physical health and education.
So, the primary function of a web filter is to block anything deemed “inappropriate.” According to CIPA, inappropriate content includes any material that contains graphic image files or appeals to sex, nudity, or excretion. It also applies to anything that lacks serious literary, scientific, artistic, or political value to minors.
The second function of web filtering is to block access to specific websites that could jeopardize a student’s personal information — hackers often try to scam minors into sharing personal details or downloading attachments.
This is often how many school data breaches begin. By infecting the district with malware, cybercriminals can begin exfiltrating hoards of sensitive information. Then, the choice is theirs: Hold it ransom in exchange for large sums of money — hence “ransomware” — or sell it to the highest bidder on the dark web — or both.
Either way, schools are an increasingly lucrative target for sophisticated cyber attacks, and web filters act as a sophisticated means of prevention.
Content filters help maintain classroom engagement by limiting access to distracting websites and online platforms, whether social media, gaming sites, or non-educational video content. Naturally, an environment with fewer distractions supports deeper concentration and can enhance the learning experience. Teachers can deliver their lessons without competing for students’ attention with digital diversions.
Simply removing the barrier is most of the battle: If students know that they’re unable to access non-academic related content, they’re then more inclined to engage in classroom-related activities without their minds being placed elsewhere.
We’ve spoken to countless K-12 IT professionals over the years. Along the way, we’ve realized there are several startling misconceptions about content filters and the role they play in securing cloud-based data.
Luckily, we’re here to clear the air. Let’s talk about three key myths about content filtering and cloud security.
Back in the day, installing a content filter meant having to physically set up a hardware contraption alongside your networking equipment. Then, you had to regularly maintain and upgrade it over time.
You might assume these pain points are still prevalent today. But the truth? Leveraging a content filtering solution has never been easier.
Cloud-based filters are delivered over the internet, meaning they can be up and running in minutes. No proxies, installations, or maintenance are required — just set your policies and you’re good to go. They’re inherently scalable, which means you can freely add or remove devices without additional effort.
Content filters are as easy as flipping a switch, but that’s not to say you’re supposed to use them that way.
You may have a list of blacklisted URLs on day one. However, circumstances may change. A new social media site could rise in popularity. Hackers could launch a phishing campaign that flies under your radar.
It’s better to cover your bases and regularly revisit your category filters. Add any new rules or conditions that may be missing, and remove any if you think you’ve gone too far.
According to the 2019 K-12 Cybersecurity Report by the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), virtually all schools are using a web content filter and a firewall of some variety. However, at the time of the report, only 3% of schools were using cloud security technology.
Today, about 20% of cybersecurity budgets are being allocated to safeguarding data stored in cloud applications. It’s a modest swing in the right direction, but schools are still woefully unprotected.
The truth about web content filters is that they can’t secure student and district data — particularly when that data is stored, accessed, and shared in Google Workspace and/or Microsoft 365. Blocking students from accessing malicious content is a solid foundation, but comprehensive threat protection is required if you want to close the gap.
Still confused about the relationship between content filtering and cloud security? Here’s an analogy:
So, although content filtering is a vital piece of the overall security strategy, it doesn’t do everything on its own. In other words, you still need an additional layer of protection to safeguard the cloud domain.
There’s a right and wrong way to filter content. You don’t want to go overboard and censor harmless material, but you also don’t want anything to slip through the cracks.
Here are some best practices to get you started:
As you look for the ideal filtering solution, prioritize a platform that bridges the gap with cloud security and data loss prevention capabilities. ManagedMethods’ Content Filter tool is feature-rich with everything you need to provide a safe and secure environment for your students.
With AI-powered safety monitoring and an easy-to-use interface built natively into Google Workspace, you can rest assured your tracks are covered (and your students are protected).
Ready to get started? Schedule a demo of Content Filter today.