Cybersecurity firm NordLayer reveals that a number of employers worldwide is implementing stringent measures to control the access to websites within their organizations.
The report, based on data collected by NordLayer’s Domain Name System (DNS) filtering service, sheds light on the prevalent trends and priorities in website blocking policies adopted by businesses across different regions.
According to the findings, 72 percent of employers globally have opted to block access to malicious and adult websites. The rationale behind this decision is rooted in the potential security threats posed by malicious websites, which often serve as conduits for malware dissemination, and concerns over inappropriate content and potential productivity loss associated with adult websites.
The report highlights that 43 percent of employers choose to block gambling sites, citing concerns over addiction and productivity loss as primary motivations behind this decision.
NordLayer’s DNS filtering feature, designed to block malicious websites and filter out harmful or inappropriate content, extends its utility beyond thwarting malware threats. The service also aids in blocking phishing, cryptojacking, illegal, and DDoS as a Service (DaaS) websites, bolstering employers’ efforts to safeguard their networks and systems from cyber threats and illegal activities.
Carlos Salas, a cybersecurity expert at NordLayer, underscored the critical role of DNS filtering in organizational cybersecurity strategies. “DNS filtering is a critical component of any organization’s cybersecurity strategy,” Carlos Salas said. “By blocking access to malicious and inappropriate websites, employers can significantly reduce the risk of malware infections and security breaches on their networks.”
In addition to blocking adult websites, the report reveals that many employers go the extra mile to maintain a professional work environment. For instance, 30 percent of employers block dating sites, while 28 percent restrict access to sex education websites. Surprisingly, approximately 12 percent of employers even go as far as blocking lingerie websites.
Moreover, the report indicates that 37 percent of IT managers block access to websites containing information or sales related to drugs. Notably, 21 percent of employers also block VPN websites to prevent employees from circumventing network restrictions and accessing blocked content, which could potentially pose security risks or productivity concerns.
“To lower distractions from work and promote productivity, 19 percent of IT managers restrict access to gaming websites because they can be time-consuming and embedded with ads and hyperlinks to other malicious websites,” Carlos Salas said. “Additionally, celebrity news websites and social media are blocked by 8 percent and 7 percent of employers, respectively.”
Regional disparities in website blocking priorities are also evident in the report. European businesses exhibit a greater inclination to block adult content websites, with 67 percent of employers imposing such restrictions. In contrast, North American employers prioritize mitigating security risks, with 70 percent of them blocking access to malware websites. Meanwhile, Asian employers emphasize curbing access to illegal or unethical content, as evidenced by 73 percent of them restricting websites within this category.
The report also highlights notable differences in the treatment of gambling, gaming, and dating websites across regions. While Asian businesses demonstrate a stricter approach towards gambling and gaming websites, European and North American counterparts exhibit relatively lower rates of restrictions. Similarly, Asian employers adopt a more stringent policy towards dating websites compared to their European and North American counterparts.
DNS filtering plays a pivotal role in safeguarding sensitive data, maintaining regulatory compliance, and preserving the integrity of organizational networks in today’s increasingly sophisticated threat landscape. With cyberattacks on the rise, DNS filtering emerges as a crucial tool for organizations to fortify their cybersecurity defenses and mitigate potential risks effectively.
The statistics presented in the report were acquired through an analysis of aggregated data gathered by NordLayer’s DNS filtering service in February 2024.
