A safer Internet starts with a trustworthy DNS service
Cybersecurity is a vital part of everyday digital life, for individuals and organizations alike. As online threats continue to grow, we need solutions that protect users before harmful content ever reaches their devices. One effective way to combat these threats is DNS-level protection, which operates quietly in the background but has a powerful impact. CSC and Swiss-based Quad9 are taking a joint step toward a safer internet.
The Funet network, operated by CSC, provides Finnish higher education institutions and research organizations with ultra-fast and reliable connectivity. But network security is about more than cables and hardware. A key component of internet use is the DNS service, which acts like a phone directory for the web.
DNS (Domain Name System) links website names to their IP addresses. When a user types a web address into their browser, the DNS service directs them to the correct destination. But what if that address leads to a malicious site or a phishing attempt? That’s where an intelligent DNS service that can detect threats and automatically block access to dangerous destinations comes in.
“Layered cybersecurity is essential. DNS-level protection adds an extra layer to the network’s core infrastructure, helping to stop threats before they reach the user’s device,” says Juha Oinonen, CSC’s director responsible for Funet.
A step toward a safer Internet
CSC and Funet are strengthening cybersecurity across Finland’s research and education sector by offering DNS-based threat protection in collaboration with international service provider Quad9. Quad9’s distributed service automatically blocks access to harmful websites—such as phishing pages and malware distribution sites—without compromising user privacy.
Quad9’s service is delivered from hundreds of data centers around the world. Through smart routing, users’ DNS queries are always directed to the nearest operational location. Funet now hosts Quad9 infrastructure in Finland, meaning DNS queries originating in Finland are handled domestically.
DNS-based threat protection services are especially valuable for organizations that handle sensitive data and require high operational reliability. The service protects users from malware, phishing, and other online threats, without the need for separate software or hardware. For organizations, it adds an extra layer to their broader cybersecurity strategy.
“It’s important that CSC is part of an international network that enables a distributed and reliable system like Quad9,” Oinonen continues. “The service provides users with an additional layer of protection, helping to block harmful content without expensive add-ons or services.”
The service is easy to deploy at the organizational level: once DNS settings are configured centrally, all devices within the organization benefit from protection automatically. The service is free of charge and requires no additional software or hardware. DNS-based threat protection is a concrete way to enhance cybersecurity: easily, effectively, and invisibly from the user’s perspective. It supports a layered defense model, where different solutions reinforce each other and strengthen the overall security posture.
Image: Adobe Stock
