Industry Solutions

Education

Securing the Learning Environment in Real-time

IT directors constantly deal with a growing list of Internet threats that impact student and staff safety, compromise networks and expose universities, districts and schools to legal liability. Mitigating the risks of malware, spam, cyberbullying, anonymous proxies, and Web 2.0 applications requires a smart, effective multi-layered strategy that secures all forms of inbound and outbound Internet-based communication streams.

Do You Trust Your Internet Security to Protect Students Using Web 2.0?

URL filtering is important. Signature-based threat detection is important. Anti Virus technology is important. These are all critical to securing the learning environment and it's smart to layer them against threats.

But it's not smart enough to stop unknown malware threats.

Traditional malware prevention technologies can't identify the latest generation of malware because the code changes constantly, avoiding any kind of detection technology that relies only on signatures. That's a problem because:

  • Malware, keyloggers and Trojans that don't exhibit any known signature pattern pass right by zero-day—and even zero-hour—defenses.
  • Web 2.0's user generated content is a primary deployment method for malware distributors, exponentially increasing the exposure risk to new or dynamically changing malware.
  • Dynamic malicious scripts even reside on legitimate, trusted Web pages, bypassing reputation defenses.

M86 Security solutions, however, not only identify known threats, but also detect and block malware that's never been categorized, filling the gap created by Web and email security's signature pattern update cycles. Our patented, Real-time Code Analysis checks inbound traffic, looking for suspect malware and keeping it out of networks and off laptops. In addition, M86 Dynamic Web Repair technology "cleans" infected legitimate Web pages and delivers them to students, without disturbing the learning experience.

Networks are Different. That's Why We Offer Multiple Deployment Options.

There are limitless network configurations between the Internet and a student's desktop (or laptop, in many cases). That's why M86 Security focuses on delivering exceptional performance via:

  • Software
  • Hardware
  • SaaS

M86 products are proven to be flexible and scalable, making them budget-friendly in the short term and capable of reducing total cost of ownership in the long term.

Very Smart: M86 Security Labs

M86 Security's education customers benefit from the threat intelligence collected by our Web and email security products, which is then analyzed and put to work by M86 Security Labs. The M86 Security Labs is made up of a specialized team of experts focused on detecting current and emerging threats, then mitigating them by distributing intelligence to the installed base of M86 Web and email security products, worldwide.

Single Source Means Fast, Easy Support and Powerful Products

M86 Security gives schools the advantage of needing only one source for Web and email security, dramatically improving cost of ownership, efficiency, effectiveness, and ease-of-use.

Email Archiving and FRCP Compliance

In the US, Educational institutions must adhere to new Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP) requirements regarding Electronically Stored Information (ESI). M86 Security has partnered with ArcMail to provide an affordable line of email archiving appliances that automatically capture, index, store and recover incoming, outgoing, internal email and attachments. This helps educational institutions successfully meet regulatory compliance and improve information management and data integrity.

Supporting 1:1 Laptop Initiatives

Securing the learning environment and enforcing AUPs now extend beyond the classroom due to the growing demands of 1:1 programs. M86 Security offers mobile filtering through the M86 Web Filter and Reporter to filter both PC and Mac laptops. It's simple to deploy and manage, and provides centralized and tamper-proof filtering for students off-site.

Always Watching. Always Protecting. (So you can work on other things.)

M86 Security's industry leading Web and email security solutions help IT administrators quickly identify and take action against policy violations and network threats. Real-time code analysis, behavioral analysis, granular application control and deep content inspection provide extensive protection and fill the security gap left by zero day technologies, insuring the best defense against bandwidth-draining Web applications, spam, malware, email exploits, anonymous proxies and other emerging threats to the learning environment. This allows overburdened IT staff to proactively protect the network, ensure policy and regulatory compliance, and keep students safe.

Our award-winning solutions provide:

  • Web and email security
  • Web and email monitoring, filtering, and detailed reporting
  • Bandwidth monitoring and optimization tools
  • Remote Web and email filtering
  • Data leakage prevention
  • Email archiving *

To address the unique IT challenges in K-12 education, we offer:

  • Platform of choice (appliance, software or SaaS)
  • Dynamic threat protection using behavioral analysis, real-time code analysis, pattern-based detection and deep content inspection
  • Support of transparent authentication for all LDAP environments
  • Scalable solutions for large districts, universities and education agencies
  • Cost effective solutions for small to medium-size schools, districts, colleges and agencies
  • 24/7 support from one vendor

Proactive Enforcement of Internet Acceptable Use Policies (AUP)

An Acceptable Use Policy is only a piece of paper if it isn't proactively enforced. Creating an enforceable policy is a multi-step process:

  • User Authentication - easily identifies violators
  • Real-time monitoring - reduces incidents by providing visibility to Internet usage; tracking users and applications that compromise bandwidth and threaten students and networks
  • Forensic reporting - establishes accountability, proves user intent and provides the digital evidence needed for AUP enforcement

 

* Available in North America Only

Summary Features for Web and Email Security Products:

  • Filters Web and email content on local and remote connections, including URLs and/or IP addresses, file types (e.g. MP3, MPEG, .zip), HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, Newsgroups (NNTP), TCP Ports, spam, Inappropriate content, phishing, email viruses, malicious code, virus hoaxes, chain letters
  • Controls instant messaging and peer-to-peer applications (streaming media, remote access, online gaming, proxies)
  • Provides comprehensive portable media and portable storage control, including total visibility of portable device connections and file transfers
  • Allows real-time monitoring of Web and email activity and bandwidth usage
  • Locks out user access when policy violation thresholds are exceeded
  • Zero day protection from anonymous proxies
  • Multi-site, multi-level administration
  • Directory-based Authentication (Microsoft Active Directory, Novell eDirectory, Apple OpenDirectory, LDAP)
  • Manages attachment send/receive permissions by file size and type
  • Detects key words and phrases in email, attachments and subject line
  • Provides image analysis to detect inappropriate or sensitive content
  • Stops relay attempts, denial of service attacks, directory harvesting attacks, and other anomalous email activity
  • Prevents data leakage through full inbound/outbound email scanning
  • Easy-access email archive format with automated backup
  • Provides detailed activity and security status reports
  • Easy-to-use policy and reporting interface
  • Centralized administration and granular reporting

M86 Security Education Benefits:

  • Safer learning environment
  • Proactive enforcement of AUP
  • Mitigation of legal liabilities and/or damage to institution's reputation
  • Keeps students, teachers and staff on task, preserves network performance, and allows IT departments to focus on other mission critical priorities
  • Protects the network and confidential information
  • Meets CIPA, FERPA compliance (United States)
  • Lowers total cost of ownership (TCO)

We invite you to research our best-in-breed integrated email and Web threat solutions for Web filtering, email security and endpoint security. If you have specific needs, please look through our Resource Center for white papers and case studies.



  • The M86 WFR
  • Web Filter and Reporting Appliance
  • The M86 WFR is designed to meet today's expectations of URL filtering and real-time monitoring and reporting. It is an affordable, single appliance, that requires little space to make a big impact.
  • View Datasheet