The firm, previously known as Cyan Forensics, has developed digital safeguarding software that’s utilised by law enforcement agencies around the world, and is cited to be 100 times quicker than the market’s existing sifting tools.

The batch of funding — of which SNIB committed £2.6 million — is set to be used by Cyacomb to scale up operations, explore new markets, and continue to drive down harmful digital content.

CEO Ian Stevenson said: “Our forensics products help law enforcement find evidence fast, speeding investigations and supporting prompt safeguarding actions for children and the wider community.

“We are now turning our attention up-stream too, tackling one of society’s most pressing issues – the rising levels of child sexual abuse material being shared in our increasingly encrypted online world.

“Cyacomb Safety detects and blocks child sexual abuse material within the end-to-end encrypted environment whilst protecting user privacy and security.”

“This funding comes at a strategic time for us as we expand our market reach and appoint a new non-executive director, Richie McBride. Richie, founder of Edesix Ltd, brings a wealth of experience in scaling software businesses, particularly servicing law enforcement and government clients.

“The Bank’s support will ensure we are able to grow as a business, introduce our software to more organisations and ultimately protect children and improve online safety.”

The investment into Cyacomb is said to be the Bank’s first regarding safety technology.

Jane Reoch, executive director at SNIB, commented: “Their software is delivering real, tangible benefits to society both in detecting harmful content, but also reducing trauma as officers no longer have to trawl through hours of offensive images – it’s all done quickly and efficiently with their software.”

“It’s inspiring to support companies like Cyacomb in being able to grow and develop their product to take it further in to new, global markets.”

Recommended reading

• Edinburgh Tech Startup Cyan Forensics Raises £900,000 Funding
• Fresh Funding to Help Cyan Forensics Target Overseas Markets
• Scottish National Investment Bank Releases Year’s Accounts

The Dallas Police Department in the U.S. is a user of Cyacomb’s platform. Mike Fontenot, a detective at the Department, said: “Cyacomb’s products offer true potential to hasten investigation and assist police departments across the world in protecting children, holding predators accountable for their crimes.

“Cyacomb has managed to create software, that would have previously taken hours to complete, and condensed it to less than a minute – this was a real-world application of seized devices from an actual search warrant.”