LightSpeed Systems Web Filter

This past fall, I began to explore ideas for a new web filter to replace the old one in place at USD #439. I spent hours researching and asking around on what other districts were using. Using resources of online research, asking members of the ESSDACK "NERDS" group, and asking others on the state list-serv for Technical Directors, I had narrowed my selection down to the BottleRocket from LightSpeed Systems.

Many students in our district had known for years how to bypass the old web filter by making the webpage a secured webpage (https://). A good chunk of bandwidth was being used by students streaming music, videos, and other bandwidth consuming apps. I chose the LightSpeed BottleRocket for several reasons.

With the BottleRocket, using an (https://) would no longer bypass the filter. Anything that uses an https:// is redirected back to the original domain website. P2P applications are restricted and I also had control to block all proxies that students were using as a backdoor to websites they wanted. Another big complaint was all the time students wasted on social media sites. The BottleRocket allows me to specify certain websites that the district would like blocked. We are using that to our advantage. Another big feature is that group policies can be set within the web filter administrative console. We had a "Staff" group that allows staff members access to YouTube videos they use in class and also to streaming music sites such as Pandora so they can listen to music while they work.

The BottleRocket also allows for mobile web filtering to be extended to other devices on the network. Web filtering is extended to phones, iPads, and any other device with Internet access that connects to the wireless network within our district. I have been very impressed with the BottleRocket thus far and continue to work to fine-tune our web filtering here at USD #439.

One of the biggest advantages for me in using the new BottleRocket is the reports that you can access. There is real-time reporting that can show you current web activity, you can search and filter results by device IP address, and you can also see what top blocked domains and categories are. When a teacher came to me to see why a website wasn't coming up, I was able to search by IP address off her computer and find her web searches in the reports, found the website, and was able to re-assign the website to a new domain making it available to be used. This tool has been a HUGE plus for our use here at USD #439.

I am also very, very happy with LightSpeed tech support. I have had to call to get two issues worked on that I was unable to call. The first ticket I created, tech support called back within five minutes with a fix and the second issue they called back within 15 minutes. Needless to say, customer support is top notch with LightSpeed. We are currently running our filter on a three year contract with unlimited tech support and help.

I would highly recommend the BottleRocket to anyone out there looking at web filtering options for their company or business. You won't be disappointed!

You can find more information on LightSpeed products here:
http://www.lightspeedsystems.com/