Safe Internet access through the Internet Service Provider

Safe Internet access through the Internet Service Provider accreditation scheme George Reubens Senior Manager Technical Evaluation and Assurance

The vision • The provision of appropriate ICT which delivers services that institutions really value and are prepared to buy. To deliver coherence leading to increased reliability at an affordable price that institutions recognise as sustainable.

National Digital Infrastructure for Education Connectivity: Connecting schools to provide Data services: Management Information Systems, Transfer of data and a range of data analysis tools. Data Services consistent performance and provide consistent access to a quality set of resources, services and applications for every teacher and learner Learning Services Connectivity Infrastructure Services Infrastructure services: The school’s ICT infrastructure in terms of choice, access, flexibility, efficiency and security. Learning services: Improving the management of learning and availability of content.

Strategy and choice • NDI deployment needs to be coherent, flexible, reliable and sustainable • NDI design based on open standards and driven by a functional approach • National Strategy supporting regional strategies and local choice – ‘joined up thinking’ – procurement benefits – approved suppliers

A Safer Internet • The Internet is an excellent learning tool but it comes with security and safety risks. • The World Wide Web has content that can be used to teach but has content that can endanger a child. • Internet communications can be a wonderful way to contact one another, but can just as easily be abused.

What are people doing about it? • Industry • Legislation • Regional Broadband Consortium and Local Authorities • Internet Watch Foundation • Child Exploitation and Online Protection

Tackling Inappropriate Web Content • URL Allow/Deny lists (Walled Garden) • Categorised URL Listing • Dynamic Web Filtering

Email Filtering • Account Restrictions • Virus Checking • Spam Checking • Word lists

Service Restrictions • • other Internet based services Service restrictions can prevent certain services from being used or control how services are used. Service restrictions can be controlled at the source of an Internet connection and may not need local technical knowledge. Service restrictions can be activated by blocking ports, file extensions and program names amongst others

So what works best? A mixture of everything

Becta Accreditation of Internet Services to Education • Started in 2001 • To provide educational institutions with an Internet Service provision that meets an agreed standard • Updated as recent as September 2006 • Successful applicants are awarded a 12 month (rolling) license

Eligibility Applications are invited from organisations that could have direct responsibility for providing a safe filtered internet and email service to the education sector: Local Education Authorities (LEA) Regional Broadband Consortium (RBC) Commercial Providers (i. e. BT, NTL) Product Suppliers (Cyberspace, Net Nanny)

Process • Applicants apply to Becta • Becta approaches suppliers to educational institutions • Commercial evaluation • Technical evaluation • Process and Procedures evaluation

Requirements of a provider • Internet Connectivity • Web content filtering across five large categories • Email provision, content filtering, virus checking and level of service. • Internet services access and restrictions • Support, escalation and issue response

Web Content Filtering • • Adult (sexually explicit) material Violence (including weapons and bombs) Racist and hate material Illegal drug taking or the promotion of drug use • Software piracy (including hacking) • Illegal Child Abuse Images and Content (Evaluated by IWF)

Products and Services? • Minimise the time amount of time spent achieving the Accreditation • No middle man when contacting the filtering providers during evaluations • Products and services will be monitored by Becta • Huge interest and application with first batch of accredited products expected by Christmas 2006

Monitoring • Accredited providers are monitored every quarter to ensure safety levels are maintained or improved. • Quality Audit Inspection • Agree SLA & KPI’s

What can we do? • Does your organisation use Internet safety tools and restrictions? • Does your LA/RBC discuss Internet services with you? • Does your organisation have something more than just a web filtering package? • Do you know who to contact if you are concerned about the children's use of the Internet? • Is your Internet provision provided by a Becta Accredited Internet Service Provider?

QUESTIONS?

Contact Details george. reubens@becta. org. uk Telephone: 024 7679 7141