{{Short description|American company specializes in endpoint security and cyber resilience}} {{Infobox company | name = Absolute Security | logo = Absolute Software logo.svg | type = Private | traded_as = | hq_location= Seattle, Washington<ref>{{Cite web |title=Absolute Security Company Overview, Contact Details & Competitors {{!}} LeadIQ |url=https://leadiq.com/c/absolute-security/5a1d7e622400002400586fdb |access-date=2025-12-19 |website=leadiq.com |language=en}}</ref> | key_people = Christy Wyatt (CEO)<br /> Saul Gates (CFO)<br />Mark Grace (CRO)<br />Nicholas van Someren (CTO)<ref>[https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/ABST/profile?p=ABST Yahoo Finance]</ref><br />Ash Parikh (CMO) | industry = Cybersecurity | founded = {{Start date and age|1993}} | owner = Crosspoint Capital Partners (2023–present) | revenue = | website = {{URL|https://www.absolute.com}} }} '''Absolute Security''' is an American company that provides products and services in the fields of cyber resilience, endpoint security, Security Service Edge (SSE)''',''' and zero trust security.<ref>{{cite news |work=Reuters |title=Absolute Software Corp |url=https://www.reuters.com/companies/ABST.OQ }}</ref> It was publicly traded company on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eweek.com/it-management/absolute-software-product-overview-and-analysis|title = Absolute Software: Product Overview and Analysis|date = August 2018}}</ref> and Nasdaq<ref name=NASDAQ11-21>{{cite news |title=Absolute Software Corporation (ABST) Earnings Expected to Grow: Should You Buy? |date=November 2, 2021 |work=nasdaq.com|url=https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/absolute-software-corporation-abst-earnings-expected-to-grow%3A-should-you-buy-2021-11-02 }}</ref> until it was acquired by Crosspoint Capital Partners in July 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Canada's Absolute Software to be bought by Crosspoint Capital for $657 mln |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/canadas-absolute-software-be-bought-by-crosspoint-capital-657-mln-2023-05-11/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230523171441/https://www.reuters.com/technology/canadas-absolute-software-be-bought-by-crosspoint-capital-657-mln-2023-05-11/ |archive-date=2023-05-23 |access-date=2026-01-09 |work=Reuters |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Absolute Software Going Private in $657 Million Acquisition |url=https://www.channelfutures.com/mergers-acquisitions/absolute-software-going-private-in-657-million-private-equity-acquisition |access-date=2026-01-23 |website=Channel Futures |language=en}}</ref>
In 2024, the company changed its name to Absolute Security.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |title=Absolute Software Is Now Absolute Security |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240416360989/en/Absolute-Software-Is-Now-Absolute-Security |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240422123346/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240416360989/en/Absolute-Software-Is-Now-Absolute-Security |archive-date=2024-04-22 |access-date=2026-01-16 |language=en}}</ref>
The company is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wilson Sonsini Represents Syxsense in its Acquisition by Absolute Security |url=https://www.wsgr.com/en/insights/wilson-sonsini-represents-syxsense-in-its-acquisition-by-absolute-security.html |access-date=2026-01-23 |website=Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati Professional Corporation Home Page - Palo Alto, Silicon Valley, San Francisco, New York, Seattle, San Diego, Washington, D.C., Shanghai, Hong Kong, Brussels - Wilson Sonsini Represents Syxsense in its Acquisition by Absolute Security |language=en}}</ref> Regional, global offices are in, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Austin, Texas; Tokyo, Japan; Reading, UK, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
==History== Founded in 1993 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Absolute Security developed a product to manage, track and secure computers regardless of the physical location of devices. In 2000, Absolute Security became a publicly traded company on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX).
In 2005, Persistence technology patented by Absolute Security was embedded for the first time into the firmware or BIOS of Personal Computers (PCs). This was the start of an ongoing partnership with most major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) where Absolute Security technology ships with the hardware from the factory.
In 2007, Microsoft awarded Absolute Security gold certified partner status in the Microsoft Partner Ecosystem.<ref name="Gold Certified">{{cite news |title=Stolen PCs using Net to secretly cry for help |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2001/08/20/stolen-pcs-using-net-to-secretly-cry-for-help/ |access-date=30 December 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=20 August 2001}}</ref>
Absolute Security's office in Europe was first established in November 2006, in Newbury, UK.<ref>"Gartner Report Rates Absolute Software in 2014 Critical Capabilities for Client Management Tools." Professional Services Close-Up, 17 Aug. 2014. Gale OneFile: Business, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A378698574/ITBC</ref> In July 2009, a second regional office was opened in Austin, Texas, to serve as a base for the company's U.S.-based sales team.<ref>{{cite web|title=Absolute Software Opens Austin Headquarters|url=http://www.texastechpulse.com/absolute_software_opens_austin_headquarters/s-0022758.html|publisher=Texas Tech Pulse|accessdate=28 October 2015|date=13 July 2009}}</ref>
In December 2009, Absolute Security announced its acquisition of the LANrev product suite<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 3, 2009 |title=Absolute Software buys LANrev for $14.6 million |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/business/absolute-software-buys-lanrev-for-14-6-million-idUSTRE5B23OW/ |access-date=February 7, 2026}}</ref>, a computer systems management software application, from Pole Position Software.<ref name=SeattlePI2000>John Cook: “Canadian Start-Ups Moving South of Border in Search of Cash, Staff” Seattle Post-Intelligencer, April 21, 2000 Page: D1.</ref> Following the acquisition, the product suite was rebranded as Absolute Asset Management, and eventually renamed as Absolute Manage.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Enterprise Networking Planet |date=2010-02-03 |title=Absolute Manage Deploys Software, Manage Licenses Across the Network |url=https://www.enterprisenetworkingplanet.com/news/absolute-manage-deploys-software-manage-licenses-across-the-network/ |access-date=2026-02-07 |website=Enterprise Networking Planet |language=en}}</ref>
In November 2012, Absolute Security acquired the assets of LiveTime Software, a privately held helpdesk and IT Service Support Management (ITSSM) provider.<ref>{{cite web|author=Preimesberger, Chris|title=Absolute Software to Acquire LiveTime for IT Help Desk|url=http://www.eweek.com/security/absolute-software-to-acquire-livetime-for-it-help-desk|publisher=eWeek|accessdate=29 October 2015|date=6 November 2012}}</ref> LiveTime assets were officially relaunched as part of Absolute Security's expanded product suite in January 2013 as Absolute Service, an IT Service Management (ITSM) tool. Absolute Service received PinkVERIFY ITIL 3 Certification from Pink Elephant.<ref>“Absolute Software Largest IPO on New Exchange.” Vancouver Sun, March 29, 2000. p. C8.</ref>
In June 2013, Absolute Security acquired Palisade Systems, a privately-held provider of data loss prevention (DLP) technologies.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Preimesberger, Chris|title=Absolute Software Buys Palisade, Bolsters Device Security App|url=http://www.eweek.com/security/absolute-software-buys-palisade-bolsters-device-security-app|publisher=eWeek|accessdate=29 October 2015|date=25 June 2013}}</ref> In October, the firm launched a student and device protection initiative called Absolute Safe Schools, which educates students and staff of participating schools on the safe use of mobile devices and provides assistance in the event of device loss and theft.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Absolute Safe Schools Program|url=http://www.softwaremag.com/the-absolute-safe-schools-program/|publisher=Software Magazine|accessdate=29 October 2015|date=February 2014}}</ref>
In December 2013, John Livingston stepped down as chief executive officer and as a member of the board of directors at Absolute Security.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Bennet, Nelson|title=Absolute Software CEO retiring, plans to become startup mentor|url=https://www.biv.com/article/2013/12/absolute-software-ceo-retiring-plans-to-become-sta/|publisher=Business in Vancouver|accessdate=29 October 2015|date=10 December 2013}}</ref> On June 13, 2014, Geoff Haydon was appointed CEO and director .<ref>{{cite web|author1=Musanelli, Michael|title=Geoff Haydon Steps in as Absolute Software CEO|url=http://thevarguy.com/information-technology-channel-leadership-news/061614/geoff-haydon-steps-absolute-software-ceo|publisher=The VAR Guy|accessdate=29 October 2015|date=16 June 2014|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304070556/http://thevarguy.com/information-technology-channel-leadership-news/061614/geoff-haydon-steps-absolute-software-ceo|url-status=usurped}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author1=Dixon, Guy|title=Security software firm's key to success: an open-door workplace|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/careers/careers-leadership/security-software-firms-key-to-success-an-open-door-workplace/article23225972/|publisher=The Globe and Mail|accessdate=29 October 2015|date=2 March 2015}}</ref>
Absolute Security renamed Computrace to Data and Device Security (DDS)<ref>{{cite web|author1=Cox, Mark|title=Absolute drops Software from name, Computrace from branding|url=https://www.channelbuzz.ca/2015/08/absolute-drops-software-from-name-computrace-from-branding-14474/|publisher=ChannelBuzz|accessdate=29 October 2015 |date=10 August 2015}}</ref> and refocused its business model in 2015.<ref>"Absolute Software inspires confidence as it focuses business." Globe & Mail [Toronto, Canada], 27 Aug. 2015, p. B9. Gale OneFile: Business, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A426767250/ITBC Accessed 12 Jan. 2022.</ref> The company sold its Absolute Manage and Absolute Service products to HEAT Software in October 2015.<ref>{{cite web|last=Waddell |first=Nick |title=Absolute Software selloff is overdone, says Haywood |url=http://www.cantechletter.com/2015/07/absolute-software-selloff-is-overdone-says-haywood/ |website=Cantech Letter |accessdate=29 October 2015|date=18 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151026005528/http://www.cantechletter.com/2015/07/absolute-software-selloff-is-overdone-says-haywood|archive-date=26 October 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Absolute Completes Sale of Absolute Manage and Absolute Service |url=https://www.absolute.com/en/about/pressroom/press-releases/2015/absolute-completes-sale-of-absolute-manage-and-absolute-service |publisher=Absolute |date=5 October 2015 |access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref>
On November 2, 2018, Christy Wyatt was appointed CEO and President.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/market-data/quotes/CA/XTSE/ABT/company-people/executive-profile/116963699 |title=ABT.CA Company Profile & Executives - Absolute Software Corp. - Wall Street Journal |website=www.wsj.com |access-date=19 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200902161829/https://www.wsj.com/market-data/quotes/CA/XTSE/ABT/company-people/executive-profile/116963699 |archive-date=2 September 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref> She was named “New CEO of the Year” by the Globe and Mail in 2020.<ref name=GlobeWyatt20>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/rob-magazine/article-new-ceo-of-the-year-christy-wyatts-focus-on-customers-turned/|title=New CEO of the Year: Christy Wyatt's focus on customers turned Absolute Software's fortunes around|newspaper=The Globe and Mail|date=24 November 2020|last1=Castaldo|first1=Joe}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Radio interview with Christy Wyatt |date=February 9, 2022 |work=WBCF|url=https://archive.org/details/WBCF_1240_AM_20220209_150000?start=5620 }}</ref> Business and technology news organizations have interviewed Wyatt on cyber security topics including ransomware, the zero trust security model, and the trend toward remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{cite news |title=Radio interview with Christy Wyatt |date=March 28, 2022 |url=https://archive.org/details/WBCF_1240_AM_20220328_140000?start=6553 |work=WBCF}}</ref>
In May 2023, Absolute Security announced it would be acquired by Crosspoint Capital Partners for $657 million.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-05-11 |title=Canada's Absolute Software to be bought by Crosspoint Capital for $657 mln |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/canadas-absolute-software-be-bought-by-crosspoint-capital-657-mln-2023-05-11/ |access-date=2023-05-11}}</ref> The acquisition was completed in July 2023, and the company (ticker symbol ABST) delisted from both the TSX and NASDAQ exchanges.
In 2024, Absolute announced that the company would be changing its name to Absolute Security to more accurately represent the company’s 30-year presence providing cybersecurity and cyber resilience to global organizations.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=April 17, 2024 |title=Absolute Software Is Now Absolute Security |url=https://financialpost.com/pmn/business-wire-news-releases-pmn/absolute-software-is-now-absolute-security |access-date=January 9, 2026}}</ref><ref name=":1" />
In September 2024, Absolute Security announced the acquisition of Syxsense, an endpoint and vulnerability management provider based in Costa Mesa, CA.<ref>{{cite web |last=Novinson |first=Michael |title=Absolute Purchases Syxsense to Tackle Cyber Vulnerabilities |url=https://www.databreachtoday.com/absolute-purchases-syxsense-to-tackle-cyber-vulnerabilities-a-26228 |website=Data Breach Today |date=2024-09-06 |accessdate=2024-09-07}}</ref>
In August 2025, Absolute Security was recognized in Gartner’s Hype Cycle for Zero-Trust Technology.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hype Cycle for Zero-Trust Technology, 2025 |url=https://www.gartner.com/en/documents/6799934 |access-date=2026-02-13 |website=Gartner |language=en}}</ref>
==Products and services== The Absolute Security Resilience software platform, formerly known as Data and Device Security (embedded into firmware of most computers, tablets, and smartphones at the factory),<ref name ="Vancouver Sun">{{cite web|author1=Shaw, Gillian|title=Absolute Software's edge is 'persistence' technology|url=https://vancouversun.com/technology/Absolute+Software+edge+persistence+technology/11322181/story.html?__lsa=93ca-d36f|publisher=Vancouver Sun|accessdate=29 October 2015|date=27 August 2015|archive-date=1 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180901004152/http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/Absolute+Software+edge+persistence+technology/11322181/story.html?__lsa=93ca-d36f|url-status=dead}}</ref> consists of several components organized into three product lines: Secure Endpoint, Secure Access, and Application Persistence-as-a-Service.<ref>{{cite news |date=August 30, 2022 |title=Faddis: With a strengthening dollar, investors should avoid loss-making growth stocks |work=CNBC |url=https://www.cnbc.com/video/2022/08/30/faddis-with-a-strengthening-dollar-investors-should-avoid-loss-making-growth-stocks.html}}</ref>
==Partnerships== Absolute Security has partnerships with various (OEMs) worldwide, embedding its Persistence technology directly into device firmware during production. Notable OEM partners include Dell, Lenovo, Hewlett-Packard, and Samsung. Dell, an early customer of the company, later became a supplier. Kevin Peesker, President of Dell Canada, noted that Dell's scalable infrastructure has supported Absolute Security's global growth and operational efficiency from its Vancouver base.<ref name="Vancouver Sun" />
Absolute Security has partnerships with resellers, distributors, and regional partners, including companies such as CDW, PCM, Insight, and InTechnology.
In addition, Absolute Security collaborates with operating system providers, chipset manufacturers, and security companies to develop complementary technologies and services. Other alliance partners include Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Qualcomm, Verizon, and Follett.
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * [https://www.absolute.com Official website]
Category:Companies based in Vancouver Category:Software companies of Canada Category:Software companies established in 1993 Category:Companies formerly listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange Category:Canadian brands Category:2023 mergers and acquisitions Category:Computer security companies Category:1993 establishments in British Columbia