Do you know how beneficial DNS (domain name system) filtering is to your company? The added security of a DNS filter allows organizations to have control over access to websites that pose a potential risk to cybersecurity, and it reduces remediation demands for IT teams. DNS filtering also provides opportunities to ensure compliance is met regarding cyber insurance and other industry standards. So, let’s get into the details of DNS filtering and blocking and how your business can benefit!
Filtering or blocking is a tool used by Managed Services Providers (MSPs) and IT teams to allow or block certain websites. The DNS is responsible for translating domain names into Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. Every time you search for a site, your search terms go through the DNS process to find the correct IP address, which then connects you to the site you’re looking for. Filtering involves intercepting the DNS lookup process and filtering requests based on predetermined policies. DNS filtering is an added security layer that helps to prevent phishing, malware, and other cyber threats.
DNS filtering or blocking is important for cybersecurity because it prevents many malicious websites, ransomware, and phishing schemes. MSPs and IT teams utilize DNS-based blocklists (DNSBLs) or real-time blocklists (RBLs) to help set the parameters of the filter. A blocklist is a list of known malicious or highly suspicious websites. IT teams and MSPs share blocklists within the community to ensure everyone is protected! Blocklists can also be customized by your MSP to meet your organization’s specific needs, providing your organization with granular control over the content your users can access.
There are three primary benefits of DNS filtering, and all three protect organizations from attacks and safeguard company productivity.
DNS Filtering will help your organization meet compliance requirements set by cyber insurance providers and uphold national standards. The Fundamentals of Cyber Security for Canada’s Critical Infrastructure Community includes suggested applications following the NIST framework. Following these standards, including filtering, can defend your company from bad actors and save you money when it comes to cyber insurance and remediation.
Filtering improves employee productivity by blocking time-consuming websites. Preventing staff from visiting recreational websites, like social media, during company hours will not only mitigate the risk of cyberattacks from risky websites but also champion productivity. Additionally, many businesses will have acceptable internet use policies, and while employees may be aware of the risks of accessing prohibited web content, DNS filters are ideal for enforcing those policies.
DNS filtering can also include IP reputation filtering, which is very useful to secure against employees opening suspicious emails. The IP reputation service uses the Talos Network to assign a reputation score to email senders that helps filters decide if an email is spam. In many cases of a cyberattack, employees are the first line of defense, so DNS and IP filtering help to prevent threats from breaking through your human firewall.
It is largely used for filtering based on content, meaning the content of the domain name or website is blocked. Many enterprises employ filtering to prevent staff from accessing known or suspected malicious and unapproved websites. It is also a way to secure the network environment against phishing attacks and other threats. Corporations can use DNS filtering to safeguard productivity by denying access to time-consuming or inappropriate websites like social media, gambling, adult sites, and news sites.
Utilizing an MSP to safeguard your environment is recommended by Forbes: “Managed DNS providers are better positioned than most organizations to stay up to date on new security issues and best practices for defense.”
At PC Corp, we know the importance of protecting your data at every level. Our filtering module is included in our Advanced Security services as an added layer of defense for your organization. We employ filtering that will ensure your company is protected, meeting compliance requirements, and encouraging employee productivity by working in the background to defend against cyber threats. We would be happy to answer any questions you have about filtering or any other IT needs. Connect with us today!