Using MS-ISAC’s Malicious Domain Blocking and Reporting (MDBR) with Securly DNS Filtering

Overview

The Malicious Domain Blocking and Reporting (MDBR) service, provided by the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC), is a free service designed to block access to malicious domains, such as those associated with malware, phishing, and ransomware.

While MDBR is a valuable tool for public-sector organizations, it is important to understand how it interacts with Securly's DNS filtering service. Schools and organizations using Securly DNS cannot use MDBR simultaneously because both services rely on controlling DNS traffic to provide their features.

Why MDBR and Securly DNS Filtering Can't Be Used Together

MDBR requires DNS traffic to route through MS-ISAC’s resolvers to block malicious domains. When using Securly’s DNS filtering, all DNS queries are routed through Securly's SmartDNS infrastructure to provide filtering for inappropriate content and ensure compliance with school policies. This means:

• DNS Conflict: A network cannot simultaneously route traffic to both Securly’s and MDBR’s DNS resolvers.
• Filtering Redundancy: Securly’s filtering already includes security measures to block many malicious domains, which may reduce the need for MDBR.

Does Securly Provide Malicious Domain Blocking?

Yes, Securly’s DNS filtering includes features to block known malicious domains. This functionality is part of our mission to provide a safe and secure online experience for students and educators. Specifically:

• Threat Intelligence: Securly leverages multiple threat intelligence sources to identify and block domains associated with malware, phishing, and other cyber threats.
• Real-Time Updates: Our system continuously updates its domain lists to protect against emerging threats.
• Comprehensive Filtering: In addition to malicious domain blocking, Securly also filters inappropriate and non-educational content, ensuring a safe and productive online environment for students.

What If My School Is Considering MDBR?

For schools interested in MDBR, it’s essential to evaluate whether its functionality overlaps with Securly’s DNS filtering. In most cases, Securly provides equivalent protections, with the added benefit of robust filtering features tailored specifically for K-12 environments.

If there are specific cybersecurity concerns that Securly's DNS filtering does not address, we encourage you to contact our support team to discuss your needs.

Key Takeaways

• Securly DNS and MDBR cannot be used simultaneously due to DNS routing conflicts.
• Securly DNS filtering includes malicious domain blocking, which may overlap with MDBR’s functionality.
• Schools should evaluate their security needs and consult with Securly to ensure all requirements are met.

Still Have Questions?

If you’d like to learn more about Securly’s DNS filtering or discuss how it compares to MDBR, please contact our support team at support@securly.com.