Infrastructure Series: Content Filtering

For content filtering we have standardized on WebSense http://www.websense.com . I have worked with Surf Control and Websense rather extensively over the last 6 months. Pound for pound Surf Control is less expensive and get’s “close” to filtering as well as WebSense, but in the end, WebSense is simply a much better product. There are obviously much less expensive solutions out there, but there aren’t too many that can keep up with our network. Websense has several little features that are really cool…

First things first – our Church environment might be a little different. We have a large atrium area where we have public internet access…Totally public. I am looking at putting a captive portal in place so we can at least splash something at folks as they come in. Additionally we have a K-8 school and those little guys need some supervision / blocking. Lastly we have a Youth Center Building where teens have free access to the Internet from 8 computers (thin clients, but that’s another story).

WebSense has been a great solution for us because:

1) It enforces Safe Search on Image Sites (images.google.com / images.yahoo.com)

2) Has a wonderfully selectable policy engine

a. Multiple policies

b. Multiple Category / List settings

3) Much faster update than Surf Control

All in all it is a fantastic product. I actually considered going with Surf Control and then I learned that they are in the process of being acquired by WebSense. So that sealed the deal, that and the fact that WebSense offered to match the Surf Control Pricing.

So that begs the question? What is everyone doing on Content Filtering?