Bakersfield, Calif. (Feb. 11, 2010) – Schools are making some strides in using Web 2.0 sites such as online videos, blogs, and social networks to provide collaborative, engaging learning experiences for students. But, research shows administrators’ concerns over the potential security and safety risks remain a barrier to widespread Web 2.0 use. Responding to the needs of schools and districts, Lightspeed Systems Inc. has developed My Big Campus to enable educators to share appropriate online resources while protecting students and the school network. My Big Campus is a new feature of Web Access Manager, the company’s customizable Internet filtering software and an integrated component of the Total Traffic Control network security and management suite.

By using the Internet technologies that students are immersed in outside of school for classroom instruction, educators can increase student engagement in learning and help students acquire the 21st century skills needed to be college- and career-ready. “Over-blocking limits educators’ ability to use Web 2.0 sites to promote participatory learning, while under-filtering exposes students and the school network to safety and security threats,” said Scott Garrison, president of Lightspeed Systems. “Our smarter filtering solution integrates online resource management and collaboration into the network security suite to minimize IT administration and maximize the educational potential of the Web.”

Lightspeed Systems’ Web Access Manager offers intelligent filtering that enables schools to balance educational use of the Internet with network security and student safety through customization, granular policy control, safe Web 2.0 access, and mobile filtering. For no additional cost, My Big Campus provides a safe environment for accessing and sharing online resources, along with collaborative tools for educators and students. These tools include blogs, events calendaring, assignments and online submissions, and messaging that can function as student e-mail.

“We are very excited about using My Big Campus because it automatically integrates with the Active Directory and filtering policies already in place to save time and administrative hassles, and our teachers have been looking for a safe online area to communicate with students and share resources.” said Janice Hornsby, technology coordinator for Axtell Independent School District in Axtell, Texas. “Our business teacher is already planning to use the blogging and messaging features to teach communications skills and etiquette.”

Educators can safely post, share, and access online videos, Web sites, documents, and other content for students or other teachers. The educational resource library is open to everyone, however, when educators submit online content to the library they may choose to mark it private, for school assignments for example, or submit it for local school use only, particularly in the case of copyrighted material. In the My Big Campus “Teachers’ Lounge,” educators can easily connect with thousands of other Lightspeed Systems users to share lesson plans and resources, collaborate on projects, and provide feedback on ideas.

Unlike content accessed through a typical filter, the resources shared on My Big Campus are deemed safe, minimizing access issues and IT management hassles. The safety and security risks are mitigated by monitoring and reporting all user activity, allowing CIPA-compliant submissions only, and enabling users to flag inappropriate content for review or removal.

My Big Campus provides an authenticated, monitored environment, ensuring that standards are upheld and acceptable use policies are enforced. Users are required to login with their network credentials. Monitoring occurs on several levels, including “flagged” inappropriate content, profanity interception, and full user activity reports, which may be accessed by IT staff and other designated individuals such as a school principal.

Since My Big Campus is integrated into Lightspeed System’s network security software, district IT directors can use all of their existing computer user groups, policies, and reports, simplifying network management, administration, and policy enforcement. For CIPA compliance and network security, pornography and security-risk sites are always blocked.

Lightspeed Systems’ Web Access Manager is offered as a stand-alone solution, or as part of the Total Traffic Control all-inclusive network security and management suite. Total Traffic Control offers a full range of features in a single comprehensive application, including content filtering, mobile filtering, spam management, bandwidth management, antivirus protection, e-mail archiving, desktop and gateway security, and extensive reporting capabilities.

More Information

Call 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 three years, Lightspeed Systems has been recognized on the Inc. 5,000 list as one of fastest-growing private companies.

Contacts

Lightspeed Systems
Crystal Cochran
661-431-1649
crystal at lightspeedsystems dot com
www.lightspeedsystems.com

C. Blohm & Associates, Inc.
Kristen Plemon
608-839-9805
kristen at cblohm dot com
www.cblohm.com

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