Web Filtering allows organisations to protect employees against distractions and sites that contain harmful content - or large downloads that can slow down performance of the network.

Cisco offers a solution that allows organisations selectively to filter access to selected domains. Web filtering works closely with the firewall to prevent internal users accessing the wrong sites.

Cisco ACNS Software, in conjunction with N2H2 Internet Filtering Protocol, Secure Computing SmartFilter, or Websense Enterprise Software, enables administrators to block, monitor, and report on end users' access to non-business and objectionable content. This can lead to increased productivity, lower bandwidth usage, and reduced legal liability.

There are a number of solutions available

1. Smartfilter (Integrated into Cisco device)
2. Websense (Server side)

The SAFE Blueprint contains full details on how to implement Cisco Security Solutions.

Identity solutions provide a centralised identity networking solution and simplified user-management experience across all devices and security-management applications. This helps ensure enforcement of assigned policies by allowing network administrators to control:

1. Who can log in to the network
2. Privileges each user has in the network
3. Security audit or account billing information that is recorded
4. Access and command controls that are enabled for each configuration administrator

With Cisco Identity Solutions (ACS) you can manage and administer user access for Cisco IO® routers, VPNs, firewalls, dial up and DSL connections, cable access solutions, storage, content, voice over IP (VoIP), Cisco wireless solutions, and Cisco Catalyst® switches using IEEE 802.1x access control.

You can find out more about how to implement Cisco Identity solutions using the SAFE Blueprint .

Security Management is a challenge for coordinating and responding to attacks. Security Management solutions offer web-based tools for configuring, monitoring, and troubleshooting enterprise network security. The solutions cover VPNs, Firewalls, and network and host-based Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS).

Cisco Security Management offer a comprehensive range or management solutions that integrate Cisco security devices seamlessly.

You can find out more about how to implement Cisco Security Management solutions using the SAFE Blueprint .

In support of Cisco's Integrated Network Security Strategy, Cisco offers a variety of new security and VPN products and technologies that provide comprehensive, flexible, cost-effective and manageable network deployments for full service branch and teleworker network environments as well as extending integrated IPsec/MPLS services and provisioning services for Managed Security Service Providers.

As corporations continually expand their mission-critical networks with new intranet, extranet, and e-commerce applications, network security technologies are becoming increasingly vital in preventing corruption and intrusion, and eliminating network security vulnerabilities. Without the proper safeguards in place, organisations could experience major security breaches, resulting in serious damage or loss. With the heightened importance of network security, more and more companies are looking to service providers for easy and reliable access to advanced security technologies and expertise, and to offload management functions so that they may focus on their core competencies.

You can find out more about how to implement Cisco Security Management solutions using the SAFE Blueprint .