Surf Sentinel
Surf Sentinel is a complete and accurate content filtering solution that meets the requirements and demands of both users and technology providers. Surf Sentinel’s core technology hosts and manages URL categorization, and policy management. Flexible interpretation of acceptable use policies is possible with over 70 content categories and over 100 million categorized URLs. Content is updated regularly.
- Surf Sentinel Datasheet 0.48MB
Internet Access Management for GTA firewall UTM Appliances
The Internet has drastically changed the way the world does business. It has become an essential tool in the everyday workplace, however, it may also become a primary distraction from productive activities. Businesses need to protect themselves from the legal, productivity, bandwidth and security risks presented by unrestricted Web access.
Categorized URL Filtering
Surf Sentinel features one of the largest databases of categorized URLs. Using Surf Sentinel policies, administrators simply define the categories they wish to allow or deny and Surf Sentinel will intelligently filter Web traffic according to the category a specific URL falls under.
Surf Sentinel policies with categorized URL filtering combine blocking, monitoring, and policy management in a centrally managed, out-sourced solution. Surf Sentinel integrates seamlessly into your GTA firewall UTM Appliance to make it a complete content filtering solution. When used in conjunction with GTA Reporting Suite 2.0 (available separately), real-time Internet usage reports are available from current and historical firewall log data.
Increased Productivity
With the abundance of non-productive information available on the Internet, organizations need technology that provides the ability to manage and control Internet access. Recognizing the need to manage Internet resources, businesses want filtering and monitoring solutions that integrate with their existing gateway or network devices rather than pay for and manage additional hardware and software on their networks.
By implementing content filtering using Surf Sentinel on your GTA firewall, you are assured all Web traffic flowing through the firewall is subject to the filters and policies you establish, resulting in a safer, more productive Internet experience.
Local Allow and Deny Lists
GTA firewall UTM Appliances provide additional control over URL accessibility through local allow and deny lists. The lists provide an easy way for the system administrator to override the content categorizations and either allow or deny specific URLs. Local allow and local deny lists are easily implemented and take precedence over Surf Sentinel category listings, so you can allow access to specific sites in categories that have been blocked or deny access to sites in categories that are otherwise allowed. This is particularly useful for companies whose policies allow access only to a few specific sites, or for those with policies which allow Web requests for a category, but wish to deny specific sites within that category.
Time Based Policies
Surf Sentinel policies can be created with an encapsulated time group policy to allow access during the desired times. Time groups can be set and applied for work hours, after work hours - whatever the need. Time groups add one more layer of flexibility to the Surf Sentinel content filtering solution.
How Surf Sentinel Works
When a user behind a GTA firewall UTM Appliance with a Surf Sentinel subscription requests access to a Web site, a URL request is sent to the Content Database. The Content Database contains over 100 million categorized URLs which are updated on a daily basis.
After the URL has been checked against the comprehensive Content Database, a categorization response is sent back to the GTA firewall UTM Appliance. Once the category rating is received, Surf Sentinel processes the response and filters the user's URL requests according to how Surf Sentinel policies are configured. If the requested URL is allowed, the user is then granted access to the Web site. If the URL is not allowed, then Surf Sentinel will either display a customized message, or it will redirect the user to allowed URL, such as a Web site for the organization's acceptable Internet use policy.
Because it is unobtrusive, easily managed and cost effective, it meets the needs of the business owner. This out-sourced model stores the software and categorized lists on off-site servers so no additional hardware is needed.
Key Features of Surf Sentinel
- Supports enforcement of Internet acceptable use policies
- 70+ content categories for URL filtering
- Flexible implementation with access policy by IP, user or group
- Time based policies
- Local allow and deny lists
- Easy installation via activation code
