SecureWAN Housing is a multi-service platform that offers secure, high speed connectivity to housing associations across the UK

Delivered using a private IP VPN data network, SecureWAN Housing includes an array of data services that benefit both the association and its end users. The solution is designed with four service offerings providing the ability to ‘mix and match’ depending on the requirement of each site.

Managed Private Network

At the core of the solution is the SecureWAN IP VPN private network offering secure connectivity between remote sites and the head office. Waveworks utilise a mixture of 21st Century Network connectivity including MPLS, Ethernet and DSL technologies, combined to form a single network allowing flexibility in choosing the type of connection provided at each location. The core of the network is split over data centres in London and Manchester, both with resilient Tier-1 internet breakout and direct feeds into BT’s 21st Century broadband and MPLS networks. Using a multi-service platform allows housing associations to maximise their return on investment by using the same network for business critical traffic and generic end user services, as detailed below, without compromising security.

Internet Stations

Waveworks’ Internet Station is a simple yet secure solution that provides multiple users with a reliable platform from which they can openly browse the internet or use optional word processing and spreadsheet applications. Each Internet Station utilises high-quality, reliable hardware with a proprietary, uniform read-only operating system. Users can surf the Internet but cannot modify any settings as the hard disk has been made fully inaccessible. This also means that you need not worry about the threat of viruses or hackers and a simple PC restart resets everything back to the default homepage.

On starting the Internet Station the user will automatically be presented with the website of your choice which will be configured as the default homepage. The user environment background and screen-saver can also be customised to display your company logo or instructions if necessary. Internet connectivity is either provided through a dedicated Waveworks ADSL connection, or it can be securely connected to the existing SecureWAN service with security measures applied to ensure browsing does not affect corporate network access.

Public WiFi

In order to facilitate flexible internet access for end users, Waveworks can provide a WiFi hotspot device that allows housing associations the ability to offer internet access in a controlled manner. The WiFi gateway provides secure internet access either free of charge or using a charging policy by issuing end users with an access code that is limited to a pre-configured time online. Users are initially directed to a designated web page which can be customised in terms of logo and content to the requirements of the business. Access is granted by accepting an online usage policy and sessions can be limited to time online or amount of data transferred. The WiFi hotspot device is fully managed and securely connected to the internet via the SecureWAN network.

Web Filerting

SecureWAN Housing offers an intelligent content filter and web proxy solution designed to provide transparent filtering of web usage for corporate and Internet Station users. Web access is analysed using a range of techniques to identify and filter out access to websites with unsuitable or malicious content. By performing an ‘in-line’ analysis of the web traffic, the system intelligently scores the content against an array of keywords and phrases commonly associated with undesirable websites. In addition all requested URL’s are checked against a comprehensive blacklist to prevent users from accessing websites that are unsuitable for corporate use. If a match is found, a customised block page is presented to the user instructing them that the website they are trying to access has been deemed unsuitable providing an instant deterrent against future misuse. Full management of the solution is provided by Waveworks although administrators have the option to run reports through the secure web interface.

In addition to the comprehensive filtering techniques, all access requests and web browsing activity is logged on a daily basis allowing network administrators to quickly identify and deal with staff who are abusing their web privileges. Up to 30 days of internet usage activity is stored detailing every webpage, file, or image that has been accessed along with the user/workstation or remote site that made the request.

Key Benefits

• Secure shared-user Internet pc stations
• Public WiFi Internet access
• Group Policy Controls – apply different filtering policies for different groups of users
• Instant Messaging Control – block, filter or censor IM applications such as MSN, ICQ, Yahoo
• Anti-Virus/Anti-Malware Scanning

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