Filtering
The Schools Broadband Network operates the FortiGuard Web Filtering Service from Fortinet. This is a hosted service designed to provide Web URL filtering for schools, libraries, government agencies and enterprise businesses of all sizes. What this means is that websites accessed on the Schools Broadband Network go through a level of filtering to ensure that inappropriate sites are excluded and a "Web Page Blocked" message is displayed.
What filtering levels are available to schools?
Websites are categorised into one of 76 categories, which in turn are divided across six filtering levels. Access to a website depends upon on its category, and the filtering level that a school has applied for. For further details on the categories allowed within each filtering level, see Filtering Categories v3.0 but in summary they are:
Level 1: (This level is the same as the existing Level B) This is the most restricted level and only allows access to ‘Scoilnet’ and other educational websites, and is used by a small number of schools.
Level 2: This new level allows acces to the same websites as ‘level A’ now renamed 'Level 3' but with the ‘Games’ category blocked.
Level 3: This level is the same as the existing Level A, and is currently used by the vast majority of schools.
Level 4: This new level allows acces to the same websites as level 3 but also allows access to ‘youtube’, ‘personal storage category’ and other similar types of sites.
Level 5: This new level allows access to the same websites as level 4 but also allows access to ‘personal websites category’, and other similar types of sites, such as Wordpress blogs etc.
Level 6: This new level allows access to the same websites as level 5 but also allows access to ‘personal relationships category’ including Social Networking sites and other similar types of sites.
What happened to Levels A and B?
Previously, schools had to choose between two options, levels A and B, to access the different categories of sites. These existing levels remain unchanged, so schools that are happy to remain with their current level will not experience a change. Level B has been renamed level 1, while level A has been renamed level 3. For schools with more specific requirements, the additional four filtering levels offer extra flexibility in terms of access to Youtube, "social networking", "personal" and "games" sites.
How can our school opt for a new filtering level?
Schools wishing to change their filtering level can download and return the Content Filtering Changes form. Completed forms should be returned to the NCTE Service Desk (address details are included on the form).
What happens a website with no category?
Despite having some 30 million websites categorised it is possible that a website may be uncategorised or unrated. Where this is the case it is possible to suggest a category for this website to the filtering system. This can be done through the following link:
Checking the category a website belongs to
The system is automated and usually responds within 24 hours. Once the website is categorised, and assuming it does not come under the blocked categories, it should be possible to view the website on the Schools Broadband Network.
Can a website in a blocked category be made available?
Where a website is in a category not allowed on the Schools Broadband Network but it is deemed that the website should be made available to schools, that website may be added to a Whitelist. All websites listed in the Whitelist are made available to schools.
Can an allowed website be blocked?
Where a website is in a category that is allowed on the Schools Broadband Network but it is deemed that the website is not appropriate for schools, that website is added to a Blacklist. All websites listed in the Blacklist are not accessible in schools.
Schools may request that a website be reviewed for adding to the whitelist or blacklist by emailing the Service Desk.
Adult Content Filtering
There is an Adult Content Filtering Level which can be switched on for a couple of hours to facilitate Adult classes especially those educating parents on social networking sites such as Bebo. The following content categories will of course still be blocked during these periods: ‘Pornography’, ‘Adult Materials’ and ‘Malware’ and NCTE reserves the right to block other content as required. Schools wishing to avail of this filtering level can download and return the Adult Content Filtering Application Form. Completed forms must be returned to the NCTE Service Desk (address details are included on the form) a week in advance of the class.
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