Skip to content
DNSFilter Integration

ApproveThis manages your DNSFilter Integration approvals.

April 17, 2025

Integration Category: Security Identity

The Unlikely Duo That Actually Makes Perfect Sense

Let's cut through the noise: DNSFilter keeps your network safe by blocking sketchy websites, while ApproveThis stops decisions from getting stuck in email purgatory. Together? They're the workhorse combo that keeps both your security protocols and operational speed in check.

Think about how many times last week someone asked to bypass a blocked site "just this once." Now imagine automating those exception requests so they actually follow protocol instead of sliding into your security team's DMs. That's the baseline of what happens when you connect these two through Zapier.

Why Mid-Sized Companies Are All Over This Combo

If you're managing 50-5,000 employees, you're big enough to need real structure but agile enough to hate red tape. This integration speaks your language:

For Security Teams:

DNSFilter's AI blocks threats, ApproveThis documents every exception. No more shadow IT approvals because Marketing "really needed" to access that crypto-mining site for a campaign.

For Finance & Procurement:

Auto-trigger invoice approvals when DNSFilter's billing system pings ApproveThis. Yes, even your accounting team wants fewer status meetings.

For IT Ops:

New office in Brazil? When HR requests a sub-organization in DNSFilter, ApproveThis routes it to the right infrastructure lead. Delegation isn't just for managers anymore.

Real-World Scenarios That Don't Suck

1. The "Blocked Page" Shuffle (But Actually Organized)

How it works: DNSFilter triggers an ApproveThis workflow every time someone hits a blocked page. Legal team needs temporary access to a restricted legal database? The request auto-generates with details like user, domain, and timestamp.

Who cares: Healthcare providers managing HIPAA compliance. Let doctors request access to medical journals without emailing IT. Approvers get context straight in their inbox - no need to log into DNSFilter.

2. Allow Lists That Update Themselves

The magic: When ApproveThis greenlights a domain request, Zapier pushes it to DNSFilter's allow list. No more "I approved it last week, why's it still blocked?" tickets.

Prime example: EdTech companies whitelisting new learning tools. Teachers request, principals approve, DNSFilter updates overnight. Students get access next morning without IT lifting a finger.

3. Invoice Approvals That Don't Require a PhD in Accounting

Straightforward version: DNSFilter's billing system detects a new invoice > ApproveThis routes it to your CFO with amount, due date, and service period pre-filled. Approval happens via email - because your finance team has better things to do than log into another portal.

4. Scaling Without the Headaches

The deal: Start a sub-org approval in ApproveThis (like for a new department) > auto-create it in DNSFilter with pre-set security policies. Useful for MSPs managing multiple client organizations without copy-pasting settings.

ApproveThis Features You'll Actually Use

Beyond basic approvals, these matter when paired with DNSFilter:

Approval Thresholds

Auto-approve access requests under $500? Set it once. Anything higher goes to the security council. DNSFilter doesn't care who approved it - just that the domain meets policy.

Vacation Delegation

Network admin on PTO? Approval rights temporarily shift to their backup. No more "waiting for Greg" to unblock the CRM site during Q4 crunch.

Calculated Fields

Auto-calculate risk scores based on domain age + category. High-risk sites require VP sign-off. Turns subjective decisions into a checklist.

Setting This Up Without Losing Your Mind

Zapier does the heavy lifting. Basic flow:

  1. Create Zapier account (if you somehow don't have one)
  2. Connect DNSFilter and ApproveThis
  3. Pick trigger (e.g., "Blocked Page Visited" in DNSFilter)
  4. Set action ("Create Request" in ApproveThis)
  5. Map fields (domain, user, timestamp)

Pro tip: Use ApproveThis' pre-built templates for common DNSFilter scenarios. Clone them, tweak approvers, done.

Why This Isn't Just Another Integration

Most app pairings just move data. This one actually changes how teams operate:

For Security:

Every exception is documented. Audits become search queries instead of forensic investigations.

For Finance:

Approvals sync with NetSuite/QuickBooks automatically. Overdue invoices? Not your problem anymore.

For Department Heads:

Request temporary site access for campaigns without scheduling a security review. It's called having cake and eating it too.

The Bottom Line (No Fluff Version)

ApproveThis + DNSFilter via Zapier is for companies that:

  • Need security policies to actually be followed, not avoided
  • Want to automate the boring parts of compliance
  • Hate paying for redundant software seats (remember, ApproveThis approvers don't need DNSFilter licenses)

It's not about flashy features - it's about closing the gap between "secure" and "functional."

Next Steps That Don't Involve a Sales Call

If you've got DNSFilter (check their latest features), get an ApproveThis trial. Connect them in Zapier. Test with one department. Scale when it works.

Or schedule a 15-minute demo to see how approval thresholds cut 60% of manual reviews. Your call.

🥳

Integrate with DNSFilter Integration and get 90 days of ApproveThis for free.

After you create a Zapier integration, please email us at support@approve-this.com with your account name and we'll add 3 months of ApproveThis to your account. Limit one redemption per account.

Learn More

Best Approval Workflows for DNSFilter

Suggested workflows (and their Zapier components) for DNSFilter

Initiate approval for blocked page access requests

Users can quickly initiate an approval process whenever they navigate to a blocked page. This setup creates an approval request automatically, saving time and ensuring that users get fast responses to their access needs by leveraging ApproveThis' workflow automation.

Zapier Components

DNSFilter Logo

Trigger

Blocked Page Visited

Triggers when a user's DNS query is blocked by a policy.

Action

Create Request

Creates a new request, probably with input from previous steps.

Add domains to allow list upon approval

Optimize your DNS security management by auto-updating domain allow lists after request approvals. This integration ensures that only approved domains bypass DNS filtering, reducing administrative overhead and errors.

Zapier Components

Trigger

A Request Is Approved/Denied

Triggers when a request is approved or denied.

DNSFilter Logo

Action

Add to Allow List

Add a domain to a policy's allow list.

Request approval for new invoice processing

Simplify financial operations by automatically creating approval requests for each new invoice. ApproveThis streamlines invoice reviews, ensuring timely approvals and payment processing without manual intervention.

Zapier Components

DNSFilter Logo

Trigger

Invoice Available

Triggers when a new invoice is available for the account.

Action

Create Request

Creates a new request, probably with input from previous steps.

Add organizations upon request initiation

Automate the creation of new sub-organizations on DNSFilter when an approval request is initiated. This ensures swift scale-up of organizational units in response to business expansion, driven by ApproveThis.

Zapier Components

Trigger

New Request

Triggers when a new approval request workflow is initiated.

DNSFilter Logo

Action

Create Organization

Add an organization to your DNSFilter account.