Web Filtering

Lightspeed Launches New Web Filtering Rocket

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 02/03/16

An education technology company that provides network management tools for schools has updated its Web filtering appliance. The latest release of Rocket Web Filter from Lightspeed Systems adds scalability and advanced reporting enhancements. The news was announced during an annual convention this week for the Texas Computer Education Association.

The Web filter allows the IT organization to set different levels of Internet access for specific groups of users; deliver mobile device filtering, including for student-owned devices on the network; and provides a teacher dashboard with classroom-level filtering controls and overrides as well as other reporting capabilities.

According to the company, Web Filter 3, the latest edition, has an updated interface with simplified settings, faster performance, real-time reporting and live network "traffic reports." A new notification center provides news on updates or system issues. All configuration data maintained by the filter can be backed up to the cloud as an option. SSL handling has been improved to generate fewer end-user notifications and to support newer browsers and operating systems

"The needs and challenges of school IT departments have always guided the development of our Web filter," said CEO Brian Thomas in a press release. "Web Filter 3 is our biggest release ever, incorporating all the new features our K-12 customers need plus even more."

The company also sells "rockets," or appliances for spam filtering, email archiving and power management. Its products have been used in the San Diego Unified School District and Fullerton School District in California and the School District of Cambridge in Wisconsin.