6 Benefits of Web Filtering Software

The internet handles more traffic today than ever before. Everything from bill payments to school enrollments is managed online, and more and more services are consistently being added to the list.

When it comes to overseeing online activities taking place on devices inside  your school or workplace, you can’t be too careful. Cyber criminals are getting smarter, leaving your sensitive data vulnerable to attack.

Web filtering software is an invaluable tool for any organization. It ensures that your students or employees are using their time wisely to complete their tasks. When used correctly, it can also be your company’s best defense against data breaches, illicit infiltration, and legal action.

Let’s explore 6 benefits of using web filtering software in the workplace.

1. Protect Your Company From Internal Threats

You never know when a disgruntled employee might feel the need to retaliate against your company. Unfortunately, this isn’t uncommon and it can happen to anyone at any time.

Insider information can cause monumental damage to your company, if it ends up in the wrong hands. Block unnecessary employee communications and online activities to minimize this risk.

Surprisingly, workers are the leading threat against digital enterprise security. They hold a lot of power and influence, which can be used quickly and easily by most employees. Sensitive data could be leaked unintentionally, or they might have a personal reason for purposefully damaging the company. Either way, there’s no such thing as being overly cautious when it comes to personal data.

2. Prevent Unauthorized Online Activity

Work devices should be used only for the purpose of completing work-related activities. However, that’s often not the case.

The websites that your employees visit could cost your business more than just the time they spent off task.

In some cases, your employees could put the security of the company at risk if they mistakenly click on an infected link or webpage. Inappropriate websites are often littered with viruses and malware, which is just one problem you need to be aware of.

Your company could also face legal issues if your employees are found to be accessing illegal content. Online gambling sites and illicit marketplaces are just some examples of websites that need to be avoided.

Web filtering software allows you to monitor your employees’ online activity by setting blocks on certain keywords, URLs, or categories. Combining these elements can give you a stacked line of defense against viruses, data breaches, and revenue loss through decreased employee productivity.

You can also prevent your employees from losing or sharing company information without express permission. Blocking unsecured cloud-based storage sites and email platforms can prevent your data from being intercepted by attackers or, in some cases, competitors.

Human error is inevitable, intentional or not. Protect your company and your workforce by securing your network and devices.

3. Boost Productivity

Improved connectivity and access to technology can greatly improve workflow and daily operations. But, it can also provide your employees and students with even more distractions.

Improve time management and overall productivity throughout your organization by understanding how your workers are spending time online.

Openly implementing web filtering software helps you to efficiently address issues before they happen. This allows you to interfere before you experience any major losses in revenue generation or workforce investment.

Time is money, and keeping your employees focused and motivated is a key element for any company’s success. Prevent unnecessary wasted time and resources by blocking unproductive online activity across your entire enterprise.

4. Guard Against Security Threats

One of the most important reasons to install a web filtering system is to protect against digital security threats.

Everyday, information is stolen by cyber criminals. Some are explicitly trying to gain access to trade secrets, and others are simply out to “earn” a quick buck. The dark web is teeming with personal information that is often obtained through major data breaches.

Regardless of the size of your company, any information that is sent or received via the internet could be at risk. Web filtering gives you a strong defense against unauthorized information use and data misuse. Blocking potentially malicious sites prevents outsiders to infiltrate your organization’s network.

Schools are one of the biggest targets for hackers, due to the amount of sensitive data they handle. They’re also especially vulnerable to ransomware, and they often serve as an access point for other organizations. Students, staff, and even parents put the trust of their highly sensitive information in the security strength of school networks.

By having a clear way to filter online activity throughout your company, you can avoid your employees from visiting questionable sites easily. You can block websites and prevent your employees from accessing insecure websites which hackers may use to infiltrate your network.

Give your school or company a strong defense against potential legal retaliation, loss of trade secrets, and identity theft with a powerful web filtering and blocking system.

5. Plan Appropriately for Equipment Upgrades

Increased connectivity can often lead to an increased workload.

Whether your virtual IT team is experiencing an increase in support tickets, or your customer service agents are juggling an influx in client acquisition, it can be difficult to keep costs low while accommodating the needs of your business.

In many cases, your workplace might need a tech upgrade to keep up with the growth of your enterprise. If you’re uncertain about the value and ROI regarding new equipment, web filtering software may help you delay upgrade decisions.

Obtain concrete information about the performance of the machines you’re using. Web filtering software allows you to review useful metrics that can justify the need for upgraded equipment.

Don’t risk throwing money away, or sacrificing your company’s workflow and profitability.

6. Resolve Network Outages

Every company is sure to experience an IT outage at some point. Outages are caused by a variety of factors, including blackouts and human error. But, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try to stop this from happening, if at all possible.

Web filtering software gives you a running start by preventing access to sites that could lead to an outage. Through the software, you maintain an updated record of networked devices. If your devices aren’t performing the way they should, it could cause the entire company to come to a screeching halt.

Increased visibility helps you to keep an eye on network usage, letting you plan for potential bottlenecks before they happen. Keep your operation running smoothly and efficiently by guarding against these types of crashes. You’ll also have a better vantage point for fixing existing issues.

Is there an abnormal amount of traffic trying to pass through a particular channel? Or, is a configuration error causing the outage? Identifying the nature of network problems will give you a much better idea about how to move forward.

Danger can strike at any time, so it’s important to be ready. Whether you want to protect your information, reputation, or revenue, web filtering software is a simple and quick way to achieve your goals. Strive for success and minimize risk with a comprehensive computer monitoring system like InterGuard.