News
October 28th, 2009
Lightspeed Systems Helps Schools Get Smart About Network Filtering and Monitoring to Address Improper Online Behavior
New white paper from network security expert focuses on developing clear acceptable use policies, monitoring online behavior, and conducting forensic investigations
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Oct. 28, 2009 – Although criminal activity on school networks is rare, the potential for
damage to the people and school involved is extremely high. District and school administrators must be
prepared for these situations and equipped with the tools to deter inappropriate behavior, monitor and
report online activity, and address problems. To help administrators prevent and prepare for possible
crises, Lightspeed Systems Inc., a leader in network security and management software for schools, has
released the new white paper, “Forensics: Identifying, Investigating, and Prosecuting Sexual Misconduct
in Your School.”
School safety is one of the top concerns for educators, parents and community members. School officials
have an obligation to identify and investigate serious, potentially dangerous, policy infractions.
Lightspeed Systems’ white paper discusses how to create acceptable use policies that both deter
inappropriate behavior and clearly state violations; how to use network activity reports to identify
suspicious behavior; and how to collect forensic evidence necessary to suspend, terminate, or even
prosecute violators.
Some of the best practices recommended in the white paper are:
- Update the acceptable use policy annually and keep a signed copy on file for every student, teacher
and staff member. The document should provide specific examples of acceptable and unacceptable uses, a
listing of all technologies to which the policy applies, usage policies, consequences for infringement,
and a disclaimer.
- Conduct regular reviews of user activity. Such reviews are critical to maintain the health and
appropriate use of the district network, and to enforce acceptable use policies. In less than 15 minutes a
week, administrators can generate and review network activity reports through Lightspeed System’s software.
While up-to-date national statistics are unavailable, a compilation of available research in 2004 suggests
that almost 10 percent of students are the targets of sexual misconduct by a school employee at some point during
their school career. In many cases, sexual predators do not come under suspicion right away, but they may first
cross the line with inappropriate behavior such as bringing pornography into the school and conducting improper
communications with students. When monitoring network activity, Lightspeed suggests reviewing: traffic to sites
that could be inappropriate, suspicious or blocked searches, users using the network for unnecessarily long periods
of time, repeated attempts by a user to access unsuitable content, and high volume communications via e-mail or
instant messaging between an educator and a student.
If policy violations are suspected, IT staff must follow certain procedures to protect the individuals
involved and the district, and to preserve evidence. Concerns should be brought to district administrators to
determine the best course of action, and written permission must be obtained from administrators to investigate
the situation further. If child pornography is suspected, law enforcement should be notified immediately.
The white paper also outlines the steps for conducting a forensic investigation to review network history,
to examine a user’s district-owned computer, and to gather non-computer related information such as school surveillance
video.
Lightspeed Systems’ Total Traffic Control network security and management software offers a full range of features
in a single comprehensive application. Total Traffic Control combines content filtering, mobile filtering, spam management,
bandwidth management, antivirus protection, e-mail archiving, desktop and gateway security, and extensive reporting
capabilities.
Lightspeed Systems' network reporting tools help school districts identify all internet traffic moving through the
district-owned network. Lightspeed has tested the accuracy of all reports at a forensic level to ensure they provide
an accurate accounting of the activity on each computer.
A free webinar on computer forensic investigation that provides administrators with helpful tips and best practices
will be available starting in January 2010.
The white paper is available at our Resource Center. For more information,
contact Lightspeed Systems at 661-716-7600, or visit www.lightspeedsystems.com.
About Lightspeed Systems
Lightspeed Systems Inc., founded in 2000, develops comprehensive network security and management solutions for
the K-12 education market. Lightspeed is committed to helping schools operate their networks effectively and
efficiently, so educators can provide a safe online teaching and learning environment. The company’s flagship
product integrates content filtering, spam management, bandwidth management, antivirus protection, extensive
reporting capabilities, email archiving, and mobile filtering into a single application. Lightspeed Systems
software is used in more than 1,500 school districts in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia to
protect more than 5 million students. For the past two years, Lightspeed Systems has been recognized on the
Inc. 5,000 list as one of fastest-growing private companies. For more information, call 1-661-716-7600, or
visit www.lightspeedsystems.com.
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