There are a number of companies that offer web filtering services for MSPs; however, while many managed service providers are happy to provide web filtering to their clients if the service is requested, web content filtering is not generally offered to clients as part of an MSP’s range of standard Internet services. Yet, by leveraging web filtering services for MSPs it is possible to substantially increase profits for very little effort.
Web filtering services for MSPs have been developed to be easy to implement, easy to sell to clients, and straightforward to manage, so why are more MSPs not offering web filtering to their clients as part of their Internet services?
Some MSPs may feel that there is not much of a market for web filtering. Draconian Internet usage policies may ensure that Internet access is not abused, yet highly restrictive Internet policies can have a negative impact on staff morale and productivity. Most employees can be trusted to get all of their daily tasks completed, while still occasionally checking Facebook, purchasing something on Amazon, and viewing the occasional YouTube video.
However, providing totally free access to the Internet is unwise. Not preventing employees from accessing illegal and inappropriate website content can cause employers many problems. Some of those problems can prove very costly to resolve. Any organization that has not chosen to filter the Internet – even to a minimal degree – may not be aware of the risks. If MSPs explain these risks, they are likely to find many of their clients will want to sign up for web filtering services.
What are the Main Benefits of Using Web Filtering Services?
There are two main reasons for using a web filter to control Internet content:
Reducing the Risk of Malware Infections
As we have seen in recent months, there is a clear and present danger of a serious malware infection. Cyberattacks are taking place with increasing regularity, new malware is being released at alarming rates, and cybercriminals have embraced ransomware and are using it to extort money out of businesses.
IT teams struggle to implement patches promptly, leaving their networks at risk of attack. This is mainly due to the frequency at which patches are released. Keeping all software – including web browsers and plugins – 100% up to date, 100% of the time is an uphill struggle.
If end users visit malicious websites containing exploit kits, malware and ransomware can be easily loaded onto networks. Issuing staff members with acceptable use policies (AUPs) can reduce the probability of end users visiting high-risk websites, while policies can help to reduce the risk from shadow IT installations, but unless those policies are enforced there is a risk that some employees will break the rules.
Numerous organizations have experienced phishing attacks even when training has been provided on how to identify phishing emails. Unfortunately, scammers are getting much better at crafting highly convincing emails to fool users into visiting websites containing exploit kits that can download malware.
Business email compromise scams have been increasing in recent months, prompting the FBI to issue warnings due to the high risk of attack. Scammers are impersonating CEOs, CISOs, and executives to get end users to visit websites and divulge their login credentials or download malware.
With so many Internet threats to deal with, policies are no longer enough to keep organizations’ networks free from malicious software and infections can prove very costly to resolve.
Controlling Personal Use of the Internet
Many companies take a relaxed attitude to personal Internet use, provided it is kept within certain limits. This is arguably the best option for employers and employees. Blocking personal access to the Internet can have a negative effect on staff morale, and all employees will need to use the Internet from time to time for personal reasons.
That said, there will always be some members of staff that choose to abuse their Internet access and this can lead to serious problems for employers. Not only is there a risk of malware infections, abuse of the Internet can have legal implications for employers. The use of illegal file sharing websites for copyright-infringing downloads, the accessing of illegal website content such as child pornography, or even the viewing of legal pornography in the workplace can cause many HR issues.
Of course, web filtering is not only about blocking access. It allows companies to monitor use of the Internet and identify employees who are breaking the rules before serious HR or legal issues arise. Web filtering also allows organizations to place limits on online activities at certain times of the day to ensure the workforce remains productive and bandwidth is not wasted.
Summary of the Benefits of Filtering the Internet
- Blocks malware, ransomware, botnets, adware, and spyware installations
- Prevents the accessing of illegal website content
- Stops the downloading and installation of shadow IT
- Prevents bandwidth wastage
- Allows employers to monitor employees’ Internet usage
- Prevents many HR issues
- Helps organizations to comply with industry regulations
- Can help to increase employee productivity
Benefits of Web Filtering Services for MSPs
- Protects clients from Internet threats
- Easily increases client revenue
- Saves on customer support time, hours and cost by preventing security incidents
- Helps MSP’s to attract more clients and win new business
- Allows MSPs to provide a more comprehensive range of Internet services
Web Filtering Services for MSPs can be Easily Incorporated into Existing Service Packages
Web filtering services for MSPs no longer require expensive appliances to be purchased, and it is not necessary to use local IT support teams to visit clients to install and configure web filters. In fact, it is not even necessary to install software on clients’ devices or servers at all. Clients can have their Internet filtered within 5 minutes of them saying yes to a sales representative if cloud-based web filtering services are used.
Cloud-based web filtering services for MSPs require clients to make a small change to their DNS settings, something that even the most technically inept employee could be talked through over the phone. By pointing the DNS to the service provider’s servers, the Internet can be filtered quickly and painlessly.
Web filtering services for MSPs can be easily offered to clients alongside managed service providers’ solutions. WebTitan Cloud – and WebTitan Cloud for WiFi – are offered as web filtering services for MSPs without any branding. MSPS are able to add their own logos and corporate color schemes, tailor block pages, and customize reports with their own branding. If required, MSPs can also host the solution within their own infrastructure or use a private cloud for clients.
The management overhead is low and the configuration of new accounts is quick and easy. New client accounts can be set up in approximately 20 minutes. Even reporting is taken care of with a full suite of pre-configured, schedulable reports, including instant email alerts.
The cost for the client is low with only a small spend required per user, per year, and the margins offered by TitanHQ on web filtering services for MSPs are generous. This allows MSPs to easily increase profits, in some cases, by tens of thousands of dollars.
If you want to attract new business, increase client spending, and easily increase profits, web filtering services for MSPs could well be the answer.
WebTitan Cloud from TitanHQ
WebTitan Cloud is an award wining web filtering solution from TitanHQ that has been developed specifically with managed service providers in mind. WebTitan Cloud is easy to implement and, being DNS-based, it requires no software downloads, no additional equipment purchases, and can be set up remotely for clients without any site visits. New clients can be configured in about 20 minutes and their employees will be protected, no matter where they access the Internet.
WebTitan Cloud will protect MSP clients from web-based threats such as malware, ransomware, spyware, botnets, and phishing attacks, while significantly reducing the time MSPs need to spend fighting fires. There are no restrictions on bandwidth, no limits on the number of end user connections, and there is no latency – Internet speed is unaffected, regardless of the number of users connecting to the solution.
Why is WebTitan Cloud Perfect for MSP’s?
- Save on customer support time, hours and cost. No more costly ransomware call outs.
- Gives your clients excellent protection against malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks.
- Real time LIVE updating of malware and malicious threats with an active database of 650 million users driving the AI driven protection.
- Easy filtering at multiple levels with the capability to recognize users in many different ways.
- Protection from web threats for office and remote users.
- Reporting with full AD integration – Easy to show your customers the volume of malicious attacks you have prevented.
- Great for improving revenue – Generate regular monthly revenue for very little effort.
- Easy client account administration via a central control panel.
- Multiple hosting options: Deployed in our cloud, a private cloud, or in your data center.
- Intuitive controls with low management overhead.
- API driven for advanced back-end integration in your own systems, including billing and reporting.
- Flexible pricing to suit your business, including monthly billing.
- Multi-tenant solution with advanced customer management features.
- Highly scalable with no latency.
- Highly customizable – can be provided as a white label ready for your logos and color scheme.
- Leading alternative to OpenDNS Cisco Umbrella at a fraction of the price.
- Industry-leading technical support and customer service.
- No punitive terms, measures, or sharp practices and a fully transparent pricing policy with no hidden costs.
Feedback from MSPs
“WebTitan is an outstanding tool for most reliable content filtering. The monitoring feature of this specific product is quite unique that totally monitors all the process of online working and also secures all the data. Additionally, its set-up is superb easy and it can be done in just few minutes that save my time and energy as well.” – Kristie H. Account Manager
“WebTitan is fairly easy to setup. It is available as a cloud based solution or on prem. You can get as simple or as complicated with your filtering as you like, it will handle most situations with ease. It has provided us with a stable web filtering platform that has worked well for us for many years.” – Derek A. Network Manager
“WebTitan is outstanding software that helps me a lot in minimizing viruses. The thing I like most about WebTitan is that it is extremely easy to use and configure. I like its clear interface. It lets us block malicious content and spam easily. It is no doubt an amazing product helping us a lot in kicking out harmful bad stuff.” – Randy Q. Software Engineer
“By reducing malware-related security incidents, you’re reducing your number one uncontrollable expense: the people on your IT operations team, like your help desk techs.” – MSP, Washington, US
“It’s baked into our fees as well, and our Crypto calls dropped to 0” – MSP, London, UK
“Web filtering is one of the, if not the greatest bang for your buck services. It’s built in anti malware has protected our clients, saving us thousands of hours of repair time I am absolutely certain.”MSP, New York, US
“a key part of our security stack as we’ve scaled to over 6,000 managed endpoints, while decreasing virus and malware related tickets by 70%.” – MSP, Boston, US
“It has paid for itself many times over by reducing malware calls.” – MSP, Toronto, Canada
For further information on our web filtering services for MSPs, including a product demonstration and details of pricing, contact our sales team today.