IWF & Cyacomb launch workplace abuse material scans

The Internet Watch Foundation and Cyacomb have partnered to help commercial organisations detect child sexual abuse material on workplace devices. The agreement gives IWF members access to Cyacomb's scanning technology.

The partnership addresses a growing risk for employers, as cases involving illegal content on work-issued equipment continue to emerge across sectors including education, travel, entertainment venues and public services. Its aim is to help businesses identify known child sexual abuse material on digital devices without exposing staff to the content.

Cyacomb's system scans devices against databases of known child sexual abuse material maintained by the IWF and other international partners. It then returns a Red, Amber, Green rating to show whether known illegal material may be present. The process is designed so organisations do not view images or files during the scan.

If a device is marked red, Cyacomb will support the organisation with escalation procedures, including contact with law enforcement. The approach uses secure matching methods intended to preserve privacy while allowing an employer to act if a risk is identified.

Rising volume

The tie-up comes as the IWF reports a further rise in the volume of child sexual abuse material it is handling. In 2025, the charity took action on 312,030 reports containing confirmed child sexual abuse material, up 7% from 2024.

The organisation also recorded a sharp increase in AI-generated child sexual abuse content. Analysts identified 3,440 AI-generated abuse videos in 2025, compared with 13 the year before, according to IWF figures.

The increase has added to concerns about how quickly such material can spread online and how organisations manage risks linked to employee devices. For employers, the issue can lead to criminal investigations, regulatory scrutiny and reputational damage if illegal material is found on corporate systems.

Dan Sexton, Chief Technology Officer at the Internet Watch Foundation, said the partnership reflects the need for a broader response. "Preventing the spread of images and videos of child sexual abuse is absolutely key to protecting victims and survivors from repeated victimisation. But it is something no single organisation can do on its own. This new partnership will allow powerful protections to protect employee devices from being abused to spread child sexual abuse material. The IWF is dealing with record numbers of reports of child sexual abuse imagery. Cyacomb will help us make sure there is no safe space where this dangerous material can be shared and distributed."

Workplace risk

The organisations pointed to a series of high-profile cases in recent years in which employers faced legal action or criminal investigations after employees were found to have child sexual abuse material on work devices. Those incidents have increased pressure on employers to show they are taking steps to reduce the risk and protect staff who might otherwise be exposed during an investigation.

Cyacomb said its method allows targeted checks of devices against known illegal material while avoiding wider access to unrelated personal data. That focus on limiting collateral intrusion is important for organisations trying to balance safeguarding responsibilities with employee privacy and data protection obligations.

The Edinburgh-based technology company was founded in 2016 and says its tools are already used by law enforcement bodies, border agencies and other organisations. The new arrangement extends that work to the IWF's membership base, offering companies a way to screen workplace devices for known material using the charity's dataset.

Chris Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of Cyacomb, said the issue is often overlooked until it becomes acute. "Most organisations don't realise the risk that can exist on corporate devices until it becomes a crisis. In recent years we've seen cases where illegal material has been discovered on workplace devices in environments where trust and safeguarding are critical. Our technology gives organisations a responsible way to identify those risks early, without compromising privacy. By working with the IWF, we're helping organisations take proactive steps to protect children, protect their employees and protect their reputations."