Weston College tightens security

IT security threats including spyware, instant messaging attachments and removable media were becoming a concern

Weston College has implemented new security systems to improve protection of over 800 users and control application use.

The Web Security Suite from Websense offered the college flexibility and control over how the students and staff use the computing facilities without locking down everything and impeding the web as a learning resource.

Mark Hill, head of IT at Weston College, says that a range of IT security threats including spyware, instant messaging attachments and removable media had become a concern.

'We had become aware of the widespread use of removable storage devices, so one of our greatest priorities was to properly secure private or sensitive data in the light of new threats. We maintain staff and student records on computers here, which is a key motivator for wanting closer control over the use of removable media,' he said.

Instant messaging (IM) had also been an issue for the college. Hill says the use of IM by students and staff was an additional vehicle for harmful malware, as the college had no visibility of the content that was being distributed or received by this method.

'Although we finally decided to block IM completely for certain user groups, with this system we had the option of allowing instant messaging applications, but blocking attachments,' he said.

The system has enabled Weston College to meet guidelines set by the advisory body Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC), says Hill.

'It has helped us to more clearly define the relationship between the student and education provider, and also to automate the enforcement of policy and blocking of harmful content from entering our network. We have been able to demonstrate to users what constitutes acceptable use, and monitor all activity that falls outside that boundary,' he said.

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