'Tackling online harm demands scale': Leeds-based Smoothwall acquires Securus Software
Leeds-based Smoothwall, the safeguarding technology provider for the UK education system, has announced the acquisition of Securus Software Limited for an undisclosed sum.
A spokesman said the acquisition brings together two established names in school safeguarding technology.
The statement added: “Smoothwall protects students through its pioneering, real-time content aware filter and fully moderated Smoothwall Monitor service. Securus also provides a fully managed monitoring service to schools across the UK and internationally.”
"Combining the two organisations' monitoring expertise will strengthen safeguarding provision for schools.”
Smoothwall, which was established more than 20 years ago, works with 13,000 UK schools to safeguard 6.5 million students.
Securus, which was founded in 2002, keeps children and students safe from digital harm across school, further education and local authority settings.
Gavin Logan, Executive Vice President for Smoothwall in the UK and across Europe, said: “Securus is one of the longest-serving online safety providers in UK education, matched only by Smoothwall.
"Their capabilities will help us advance Smoothwall’s mission to help schools identify safeguarding concerns as early as possible and with greater context.
“Early detection gives schools the opportunity to identify vulnerability before it escalates, supporting better outcomes for children, their families and carers, and the wider school community. It also strengthens a school’s ability to evidence effective monitoring and early intervention in line with KCSIE (Keeping Children Safe in Education) expectations.”
“We couldn’t be more delighted to welcome the Securus team into the Smoothwall family.”
Derek Allen, Executive Chairman and CoFounder of Securus said: “We founded Securus almost 25 years ago to make a difference to children’s lives.
"Since then, our mission has gone from strength to strength, supporting schools across the UK and internationally with pioneering solutions.
“Despite the enormous efforts of organisations like Securus and Smoothwall, online harms continue to evolve, and tackling them demands ever greater scale and expertise.
"Smoothwall shares our child-first values, and I couldn’t be more proud to see our work come together to address child online safety - one of the defining challenges of the modern age.”
Schools currently using Securus will continue to receive their monitoring service without interruption, the statement added.