Smoothwall web filtering services

The Schools' Internet Service includes a managed firewall and Smoothwall web filtering service.

The Smoothwall filtering service is designed to facilitate the effective provisioning of safeguarding in a school environment and meets legal mandates set out under the Prevent Duty and Keeping Children Safe Online.

While centrally managed and updated, the service also enables schools to block sites that they deem inappropriate using age and user groups. Schools can then generate activity reports from their Smoothwall portal. The solution defines and applies filtering policies to the following user groups:

Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 students
Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 students
Key Stage 5 and Post 16 students
Teaching staff
Office administration staff

Depending on the school’s IT environment it is possible to deploy these new settings using Active Directory Group Policies.

FortiGate filtering solution

We are pleased to inform you that the Smoothwall filtering system Suffolk County Council provides to your school will soon undergo an upgrade to a new platform powered by FortiGate – a globally recognised leader in cybersecurity management and prevention.

The solution will be delivered in partnership with MLL Telcom, based on their ‘Connect and Protect’ product and the existing Suffolk Cloud Network infrastructure.

This upgrade is part of an initiative to improve online safety and security measures for schools.

The FortiGate platform addresses the comments and feedback received from schools regarding the existing Smoothwall platform. The new system aims to provide advanced filtering capabilities, ensuring a safer digital environment for both staff and students. It also includes enhanced reporting features. By implementing this service, the goal is to increase protection against emerging online threats while also streamlining access to educational resources.

The transition to the FortiGate platform will bring several key benefits, including improved reliability, enhanced user experience, and robust monitoring tools that align with the latest industry standards for cybersecurity and digital safety in educational settings.

Smoothwall root and intermediate certificates need to be installed on any device accessing the internet using Smoothwall. This is needed as Smoothwall inspects secure web content to make sure it is appropriate.

The Smoothwall certificates and installation instructions can be accessed from the links below. The new root and intermediate certificates below must be installed to avoid issues accessing the internet.

A transparent proxy is when you do not need to manually configure proxy settings on the browser or computer. In this situation all traffic is seen by the proxy automatically as it is placed between the school and the internet.

A transparent proxy solution needs a bespoke integration with each school to ensure users receive the correct level of filtering i.e. ensure younger students receive key stage 1 filter applied.

The Suffolk Cloud network supports a mixture of schools, some who use Smoothwall and some who have their own filtering solution. Some schools prefer to control filtering by setting a port as they do not want to integrate Smoothwall with Active Directory.

Because of this it has not been possible to implement a central transparent proxy solution.

Smoothwall web filtering services

FortiGate filtering solution

More information for schools during migration to FortiGate

Frequently asked questions

How do I block and unblock websites on the Smoothwall portal?

How do I install the Smoothwall certificate?

How do I configure my devices proxy and port settings or use the IDEX Client?

How do I access the Smoothwall portal?

What is a transparent proxy and can I use Smoothwall as one?

How do I meet the DfE digital and technology standards for schools and colleges?