Smoothwall — Trusted by One in Three UK Schools
Broadband4 partners with Smoothwall to offer schools enterprise-grade, on-premises and cloud-based web filtering and firewall solutions. Purpose-built for education, Smoothwall provides real-time content filtering, comprehensive threat protection, and detailed safeguarding reports — all fully compliant with DfE standards and KCSIE guidelines.
Whether you need an on-premises appliance, cloud-based filtering for remote learners, or a full next-generation firewall, there is a Smoothwall product to match your school’s requirements.
Smoothwall Filter
The only 100% real-time web filter. Rather than relying on published blocklists, Smoothwall Filter analyses web content, context, and construction at the point of each request — meaning even brand-new threats are caught instantly.
Real-Time Content Analysis
Every web request is assessed in real time — not against a static list, but by evaluating the actual content of the page. This catches threats that traditional filters miss entirely.
Granular Policy Control
Define who sees what, where, and when. Create policies by user, group, device, location, and time of day — ensuring age-appropriate access for every student.
Full Reporting Suite
Reports on 100% of traffic data for complete safeguarding visibility. Create tailored reports for pastoral care, SLT, governors, and inspectors.
Smoothwall Filter Key Features
- KCSIE & DfE compliant — UK Safer Internet Centre accredited
- HTTPS inspection — Full visibility into encrypted traffic
- Bypass prevention — Detects and blocks VPN and proxy circumvention attempts
- Bandwidth management — Intelligent traffic shaping so learning is never impeded
- Multi-platform — Chrome OS, Windows, macOS, and iOS support
- Guest Wi-Fi filtering — Automatic protection for BYOD and visitor devices
Smoothwall Cloud Filter
Extends Smoothwall’s real-time filtering to protect students wherever they are — at school, at home, or anywhere in between. Cloud Filter ensures consistent safeguarding policies follow the device, not the network.
On & Off Network
Students are protected whether they’re on the school network or using their device at home. A lightweight agent ensures filtering policies travel with the device.
Central Policy Management
Manage all filtering rules from a single cloud dashboard. Push policy changes instantly to every enrolled device — no on-site infrastructure needed.
Ideal for 1:1 Programmes
Perfect for schools with device loan schemes or 1:1 Chromebook/laptop programmes where students take devices home regularly.
Smoothwall Firewall
A purpose-built next-generation firewall for education, combining anti-malware protection, intrusion detection and prevention, HTTPS inspection, and anonymous proxy blocking in a single on-premises appliance.
Unified Threat Management
Combines perimeter firewall, intrusion detection/prevention, anti-malware, and Layer 7 application control in one appliance — reducing complexity and cost.
HTTPS Inspection
Full SSL/TLS inspection ensures encrypted traffic is safe. Detects and blocks threats hiding within HTTPS connections that bypass traditional firewalls.
Proxy & VPN Blocking
Advanced detection of anonymous proxies, VPN tunnels, and other circumvention methods — keeping students within your safeguarding boundaries.
Deployment with Broadband4 DIA
Smoothwall products are designed to work alongside a Broadband4 Direct Internet Access connection. The appliance sits between your Broadband4 circuit and your school LAN, providing inline filtering and firewall protection for all traffic.
For schools with device loan or 1:1 programmes, Cloud Filter extends this protection beyond the school gate — ensuring consistent safeguarding policies wherever students use their devices.
Which Smoothwall Product is Right for You?
| Feature | Filter | Cloud Filter | Firewall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real-time content filtering | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| On-premises appliance | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| Off-network protection | — | ✓ | — |
| Intrusion detection/prevention | — | — | ✓ |
| Anti-malware | — | — | ✓ |
| HTTPS inspection | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Safeguarding reports | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| KCSIE / DfE compliant | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Best for | On-site filtering | 1:1 / remote | Network security |