Content filtering creates a safe haven from Web-based security threats.
“I know you’re no good for me, but free of you I’ll never be.
I got nowhere to run to, baby, nowhere to hide.”
When Martha Reeves and The Vandellas sang those words back in 1964, the terms “Internet,” “e-mail,” and “instant messaging” didn’t exist, and Spam was just a canned meat product made by Hormel. More than 40 years later, however, those lyrics accurately describe the feelings of small to midsize businesses (SMBs) that experience the relentless intrusion of malicious, unsolicited and inappropriate Web content.
According to independent research released by Websense, IT security managers say the top risks to their businesses include employees clicking on e-mail links from unknown sources (74 percent), employees sending company e-mail to the wrong address (53 percent), and employees accidentally or deliberately accessing adult Web sites (50 percent). Alarmingly, 73 percent of employees admit to at least one of these high-risk activities with their work-owned computer, 54 percent admit more than one, while 27 percent admit three or more.
However, the SMB State of Security survey shows that few organizations take adequate steps to reduce the risks associated with Web-based security threats. While 46 percent of IT managers say they have software to protect company confidential data, 81 percent do not use software to block the use of peer-to-peer applications, 76 percent don’t control the use of instant messaging, and 47 percent don’t stop spyware from sending out information to external sources — all growing vectors of confidential data loss.
Despite the risk of data loss, 20 percent of SMBs don’t use Internet security software other than firewall and anti-virus products, as they mistakenly feel these are sufficient. Additionally, 12 percent of IT managers admit that while they have an Internet usage policy, they have no way of enforcing it.
Filtering Out the Bad
The unfortunate truth is that all Internet content you read, send or receive carries some degree of risk. Firewalls, passwords and encryption are essential, but they can’t eliminate every threat that can destroy or waste network resources. That’s why a comprehensive filtering solution that sifts through all Web, e-mail and IM content should be a part of every organization’s security architecture.
Filtering technology can stop malicious content from ever reaching the end-user, or the end-user from accessing inappropriate content. With a multi-layered security infrastructure that includes filtering and basic employee education, companies can create a safe haven from malicious and inappropriate content while protecting both employee privacy and the corporate network.
In the past, content filtering solutions operated on URL lists to prevent access to blocked Web sites such as the usual pornography and file sharing sites. Such solutions were only as good as the current list, and were largely ineffectual at filtering malware injected into harmless Web sites.
Present-day solutions have been reengineered to better protect against such emerging threats. The content filtering market also offers products that filter instant messaging (IM) along with e-mail and Web content, protect against data leakage, and encompass Voice over IP (VoIP) and mobile devices.
Hosted content filtering solutions are also available that eliminate the need to purchase, maintain and deploy hardware to the enterprise or to the desktop. These solutions are ideal for organizations with limited IT resources and tend to be most agile and cost-effective in terms of preventing zero-day exploits.
Growing Demand
The perception persists that content filtering solutions cannot keep up with the latest spam, spyware and phishing attacks. Moreover, many organizations are reluctant to purchase additional IT appliances given constrained staff resources and increasing budget restraints. This has limited the uptake of content filtering solutions.
"Buyers for content filtering solutions should not be limited to government and financial verticals; they are needed in all verticals due to security and bandwidth issues," said Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Terrence Brewton. "Moreover, these solutions also help avoid legal suits due to harassing e-mails, expose sexually implicit Web pages and comply with regulatory requirements such as Payment Card Industry (PCI), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) and Child Internet Protection Act (CIPA)."
Given the ever-increasing number of Web-based threats that jeopardize the confidentiality, integrity and accessibility of valuable data and resources, however, more and more organizations are turning to content filtering solutions. Frost & Sullivan estimates that the world content filtering market will reach $5.6 billion in 2013, up from $1.8 billion in 2006.
It isn’t possible — or even desirable — to turn back the clock to 1964. The Internet is here to stay, and with it a host of malicious content that can do serious damage to any business. Luckily, the latest content filtering solutions give organizations a place to hide from Web-based security threats.
Back to Menu
Back to Archive
