ICON advises Securus Software on its acquisition by Smoothwall
09.11.2026
Tech M&A adviser ICON Corporate Finance has advised Securus Software (Securus), a specialist in digital monitoring solutions for schools, on its acquisition by Smoothwall, the leading safeguarding technology provider in UK education.
Securus is a leading AI-enabled EdTech software provider based in Leatherhead. It provides digital monitoring and protection software to over 3,500 UK schools and multi-academy trusts, using the latest AI models to recognise trends and prioritise risks. Its platform protects more than 1m schoolchildren. The software, which detected over 15 million threats in UK this year, continuously monitors online activity, apps, and digital behaviour to detect harms and risks such as cyber-bullying, racism, drugs, mental health issues such as suicide and self-harm, radicalisation and sexual abuse.
Leeds-based Smoothwall has supported UK education for more than 20 years, working with 13,000 UK schools to safeguard 6.5 million students. It is owned by US based Aura, a company that recently merged with Australian ASX-listed Qoria.
Combining Smoothwall and Securus monitoring expertise will strengthen safeguarding provision for schools at a time of increasing demand, fuelled by the continued digitisation of learning and the emergence of new AI-driven online threats. England’s updated KCSIE 2026 guidance has further sharpened expectations for schools to review their filtering and monitoring systems.
“A big thank you to Charlie and Brian at ICON. They introduced us to a good range of buyers from around the world, negotiated a great deal for Securus and then managed a pretty complex process all the way through to completion. We couldn’t have closed the deal without them to be honest and would definitely recommend them.”
Derek Allen
Chairman at Securus
“Securus has built a strong brand in safeguarding and monitoring and is a very solid business with 100% recurring revenue. Combining it with the market leader provides an ideal exit for its shareholders and a good fit for all stakeholders.”
“We’re delighted to have advised Securus on a competitive process that attracted leading international acquirers. This is a significant transaction for the safeguarding market, and we believe it arrives at the start of a broader wave of consolidation across EdTech.”
“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.”
Gavin Logan
Executive Vice President for Smoothwall in the UK and across Europe
The transaction further strengthens ICON’s track record advising ambitious tech businesses on strategic M&A, building on its experience across the EdTech, Cyber and wider software sectors.
