Securly's Comprehensive Approach to Web Filtering Implementation: SmartDNS, Extensions, SmartPAC, and GuestDNS

In the ever-evolving world of education technology, ensuring student safety and maintaining a productive online learning environment is crucial. Schools need flexible, robust web filtering solutions that adapt to various scenarios—on campus, off campus, or within complex network setups. Securly answers this need with a comprehensive suite of solutions—SmartDNS, Extension-Based Filtering, SmartPAC, GuestDNS, Reveal, and a universal Automatic Safe Mode—all designed to keep students safe without disrupting their learning.

SmartDNS: Network-Level Protection for All Devices

SmartDNS provides entire network layer protection, targeting all devices and browser types in one go—no device-specific configuration or agents required. It’s especially useful for districts that need consistent, DNS-based filtering:

• Broad Coverage: As long as devices are using the network, they’re automatically filtered.
• Less Overhead: No need to install or manage specific software/agents on each device.
• Differentiated Access: Tailoring internet access for staff vs. students or different grade levels.
• Uniform Policy Application: Ideal for districts wanting a single approach across a wide mix of endpoints, from laptops to mobile devices.

Extension-Based Filtering: Seamless User Experience

For many schools, extension-based filtering offers quick deployment and powerful protection. By installing an extension directly into the web browser:

• On/Off-Campus Coverage: Students remain protected even after leaving the school network.

• BYOD-Friendly: Works effectively on different operating systems, as long as students sign in with their school-issued email.

• Differentiated Access: Tailoring internet access for staff vs. students or different grade levels.

• Key Benefit: Minimal configuration and seamless user experience—perfect for diverse device ecosystems.

SmartPAC: Versatile, Dynamic Control

SmartPAC (Proxy Auto-Configuration) provides granular, policy-based filtering both on and off campus. Administrators can dynamically adjust filtering rules according to user roles, device types, or specific scenarios. This level of customization is especially beneficial for:

• On/Off-Campus Coverage: Students remain protected even after leaving the school network.

• Differentiated Access: Tailoring internet access for staff vs. students or different grade levels.

• Key Benefit: Adapts instantly to changing educational needs, ensuring the right balance of access and safety.

GuestDNS: Secure Guest Networks

When schools offer guest Wi-Fi for events or visitors, GuestDNS extends web filtering to those networks without compromising the main infrastructure. Guests can browse safely, and schools maintain a secure environment that prevents abuse or exposure to inappropriate content.

• Key Benefit: Protects guest users while preserving network integrity.

Automatic Safe Mode: Uninterrupted Filtering Fallback

Automatic Safe Mode is not a separate filtering method—it’s a fail-safe feature that applies to all Securly filtering methods. If the system detects an issue (e.g., connectivity or configuration error), it automatically switches to Safe Mode so that users continue to experience filtering with no downtime. Previously, schools might have suffered delays while engineers manually enabled Safe Mode; now, it happens instantly and seamlessly.

• Key Benefit: Zero disruption to learning, ensuring continuous protection even if technical hiccups occur.

Reveal: Proactive Monitoring for Student Usage

Running silently in the background, Reveal offers deep insight into how students engage with online content:

1. Real-Time Alerts: Administrators receive immediate notifications about risky behavior or bypass attempts.
2. Data-Driven Insights: Usage analytics support data-backed decisions, policy adjustments, and more targeted oversight.

With Reveal, schools gain proactive visibility to maintain a secure, distraction-free learning environment—particularly on Windows devices.

A Unified Approach for All Scenarios

Securly’s comprehensive filtering features and Automatic Safe Mode come together to cover every need:

• SmartDNS: DNS-level protection for complex networks.
• Extension-Based Filtering: Lightweight, cross-platform safety, on and off campus.
• SmartPAC: Dynamic, policy-based control across different user groups and locations.
• GuestDNS: Secure guest access without compromising the main network.
• Automatic Safe Mode: A universal fallback that ensures uninterrupted filtering.
• Reveal: Real-time alerts and in-depth analytics for continuous oversight.

By mixing and matching these solutions, schools can tailor an efficient and scalable setup that aligns with unique network requirements, device types, and user roles.

Additional Resources & Assistance

• Support: For any questions, reach out to support@securly.com.
• Implementation: To schedule a call with one of our Implementation Engineers for a guided setup, book here.
• Documentation & Case Studies: Refer to Securly’s support resources to explore deployment guides, best practices, and success stories from other schools.

With Securly, continuous protection and peace of mind go hand in hand, ensuring students and staff thrive in the digital learning environment—on campus, off campus, or anywhere in between.