Securus Software joins the Internet Watch Foundation to bring cutting-edge safeguarding data

Securus Software, whose online safety monitoring system protects children in over 3,200schools, has joined forces with the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) to enhance the capacity of its keyword libraries to respond to the very latest safeguarding concerns.

Securus is the UK's longest-running provider of safeguarding software for schools,protecting pupils from a range of threats including cyber bullying, online grooming, explicit images and harmful websites such as self-harm and pro-suicide sites.

Its partnership with the IWF, which works to minimise the availability of criminal content on the internet, will ensure that its library system incorporates the most up-to-date information needed to protect children from a range of online threats.

Securus works by monitoring inappropriate activity across a network(including laptops and other devices) and alerts schools to anything that suggests that a child may be at risk. A screen capture is taken of every incident,showing what was displayed at the time, who was involved and when the incident took place. This enables staff to respond to potentially serious or disruptive situations with confidence and to decide on the most appropriate action to take. The system is fully customisable, which means that the names of particularly vulnerable children can be better protected, or schools alerted to any particular issues which may be unique to them.  

Securus will also be able to deploy the IWF data to its Enforcement system, used by police forces across the UK to monitor the activities of sex offenders, and to its Enterprise system,used by commercial companies to provide reassurance about employees’ use of technology.

Susie Hargreaves, Internet Watch Foundation CEO, said “Securus Software already puts a great deal of emphasis on providing software that protects system users.  Through our partnership we will be able to strengthen these systems and do more to ensure a safer online environment for their customers.”

Teresa Hughes, former police officer and Securus manager said: “We are delighted to join forces with the Internet Watch Foundation, an organisation which works tirelessly to make the internet safer for everyone. Joining forces to share information further builds our capacity as a cutting-edge network monitoring tool.”

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About the Internet Watch Foundation

The IWF is the Hotline to report:

    child sexual abuse content hosted anywhere in the world;
    criminally obscene adult content hosted in the UK;
    non-photographic child sexual abuse images hosted in the UK.

For more information please visit www.iwf.org.uk.

To be kept up to date with the IWF’s activities throughout the year you can:
Sign up to our regular e-newsletter - Newsletter
Like us on Facebook - www.facebook.com/InternetWatchFoundation  Opens in New Window
Follow us on Twitter - www.twitter.com/IWFHotline Opens in New Window

The IWF is part of the UK Safer InternetCentre, working with Childnet International and the SouthWest Grid for Learning to promote the safe and responsible use of technology.

Contact: IWF Membership team on 01223 203030 or [email protected].

IWF Members have access to a range of services designed to combat online child sexual abuse images and videos. These services help reduce the ability of criminals to exploit legitimate services and speed up the removal of child sexual abuse content hosted anywhere in the world.

The IWF and its Member organisations are committed to the shared vision of an internet free of child sexual abuse content.

For information about becoming a member of the IWF please visit

www.iwf.org.uk/join-us or email: [email protected].  

Securus Software will be provided with the following IWF Services:

    Newsgroups

    An IWF-compiled list of newsgroups which either (a) contain images of child sexual abuse and/or (b) appear to advertise child sexual abuse content and/or advocate paedophile activity.

    Keywords List

    An IWF-compiled list of words, terms, abbreviations and similar which relate to child sexual abuse and criminally obscene adult content. The list is updated on a monthly basis.

About Securus Software

Securus is a safeguarding tool which protects pupils from cyber bullying, online grooming, explicit images and inappropriate websites, among other threats. By monitoring all activity across a network, including laptops and other devices, Securus alerts schools to anything that suggests that a child may be at risk or breaching acceptable use policies. A screen capture is taken of every incident,showing what was displayed at the time, who was involved and when the incident took place. The screen captures enable staff to respond to potentially serious or disruptive situations with confidence, deciding on the most appropriate response and helping to meet Ofsted safeguarding criteria. Securus is an Associate Member of the UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS).  

Visit www.securus-software.com or call 01932 255480 for further information.