New web filtering and internet security management product streamlines and secures instore internet access for staff

Bike and car accessories retailer Halfords has deployed web filtering and internet security products from Yorkshire-based Smoothwall to its entire computer network. 

The deal, which covers more than 3,500 PCs, is part of a number of system upgrades that means all Halfords’ employees, across its 467 stores in the UK and Ireland, now have internet access.

According to Richard Moore, Smoothwall managing director, Halfords required a reliable and robust security system to manage internet usage to manage major bandwidth spikes at certain times of the day

Forward approach to net access

The retailer did not want to issue a blanket ban on all social media and sites offering streamed content, but was keen to limit their use to specific times, which the Smothwall ‘Guardian’ product has enabled them to do.

“This means staff can work without the distractions of the internet and Halfords’ network managers now have the option to limit bandwidth on certain sites at peak times in order to preserve network performance,” Moore said.

Steve Kavanagh, senior technical analyst at Halfords, said: “Guardian was the easiest to deploy, most reliable, least expensive and most secure solution we evaluated, I've also found the quality of Smoothwall’s service to be excellent.”