Allow-Warn-Block: Smarter Web Filtering for MSPs

Traditional allow/block DNS filtering operates on a rigid, binary system—either granting access to a website or blocking it entirely. While effective for keeping out malicious or non-business apps, this approach lacks flexibility. Employees often hit unnecessary roadblocks when accessing legitimate content, leading to frustration, lost productivity, and risky workarounds that undermine security.

Atakama’s Managed Browser Security Platform enhances standard allow/block filtering with a smarter alternative: Allow-Warn-Block. This innovative approach puts decision-making in the hands of users by introducing a “Warn” option, alerting employees when they access non-business web apps without outright blocking them.

Balancing Productivity and Security

Many assume that blocking social media and shopping sites boosts productivity, but the data tells a different story. Studies show that:

• 94% of an employee’s work time is productive
• 67% spent in deep, focused work
• An average of 7 hours and 24 minutes actively worked per day

This suggests that most workers naturally stay on task without excessive monitoring. Instead of enforcing strict restrictions that may frustrate employees and encourage risky workarounds, Atakama's Allow-Warn-Block method promotes self-regulation while maintaining security. By implementing “Warn" notifications instead of outright blocks, businesses create a balanced, flexible security model—guiding employees without unnecessary disruptions. The warn option also minimizes the number of exception requests and resulting tickets when blocks are the only option.

Tailored Security: Custom Rules for Different Roles

One-size-fits-all web filtering simply doesn’t work—different roles require different access:

• Marketing & sales teams rely on social media (LinkedIn, Reddit) for lead generation and engagement
• HR & recruiting need access to job boards and professional networks
• Office managers must browse retail sites to order supplies
• Event coordinators require unrestricted access to travel and venue platforms

Executives and leaders need broad access to stay informed and make strategic decisions.

With Atakama’s customizable Allow-Warn-Block rules, MSPs can easily tailor access by individual, team, and department, ensuring the right balance of security and accessibility for every employee without unnecessary bottlenecks.

Actionable Insights for Smarter Security

With Atakama’s advanced monitoring and reporting, MSPs can help businesses gain real-time insights into web activity, productivity, and security risks.

Key Benefits:

• Track site visits and duration – address productivity concerns only when necessary.
• Monitor ‘Warn’ sites – see how often employees visit flagged pages.
• Detect blocked site attempts – identify potential security risks and unauthorized behavior.

This data-driven approach ensures security policies are based on real-world usage patterns, not guesswork, allowing businesses to optimize security without unnecessary restrictions.

Security That Adapts to Industry Needs

Different industries face unique security and compliance challenges:

• Finance, healthcare, and legal require strict access controls for compliance with HIPAA, PCI-DSS, FINRA, and other regulations.
• Tech, design, and creative industries need flexibility for research, development, and collaboration.
• E-commerce and retail depend on online tools for inventory management, marketing, and customer engagement.

Atakama’s Managed Browser Security Platform provides the right level of control for any business, whether they require rigid allow/block filtering or a more flexible, productive-friendly ‘Warn’ approach.

The Future of Web Filtering: Smarter, Not Stricter (Your customers will love you for it!)

Traditional DNS filtering often creates more problems than it solves, disrupting workflows and leading to counterproductive workarounds.

Atakama's Allow-Warn-Block model provides a smarter alternative:

• Empower employees to make informed decisions.
• Reduce unnecessary blocks that may hinder productivity.
• Strengthen security without micromanaging web app access.

Ready to take control of browser security without compromising productivity? Learn more about Atakama's Managed Browser Security Platform today.