HiddenLayer in the News

Underscoring commitment to elevating Security for AI standards

AUSTIN, Texas — Dec 19, 2023 — HiddenLayer, the leading security provider for artificial intelligence (AI) models and assets, proudly announces its partnership with the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE®) Program as a CVE Numbering Authority (CNA), reinforcing our commitment to enhancing AI system security.

HiddenLayer joins over 300 organizations across 37 countries, authorized by the CVE Program to assign CVE IDs to vulnerabilities within their specific scopes, enabling the efficient collaboration of multiple parties to address known AI security risks. 

Each CNA has a specific Scope of responsibility for vulnerability identification and publishing. HiddenLayer is now authorized to assign CVEs to new zero-day vulnerabilities in both third-party software that does not fall under the scope of another CNA, and within their own products. This enables HiddenLayer in its mission to help protect the world’s most valuable technology, Artificial Intelligence.

“Being acknowledged as a CNA underscores HiddenLayer’s dedication and responsibility towards enhancing security for AI,” said Tom Bonner, VP of Research of HiddenLayer. “With the recent proliferation of machine learning and artificial intelligence, it is imperative that organizations have a complete awareness of the risks posed by insecure libraries, applications, and services. By researching and reporting vulnerabilities in critical ML and AI systems, HiddenLayer is underlining our commitment to help advance the security posture for the entire industry.”

The CVE Program, sponsored by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), aims to identify, define, and catalog publicly disclosed cybersecurity vulnerabilities. The CVE Program is community-driven and is steered by an international board of industry, academic, and government representatives.

HiddenLayer offers a comprehensive suite of products through its AISec Platform to safeguard AI models from adversarial attacks, vulnerabilities, and malicious code injections. In addition, HiddenLayer collaborates with clients, providing consulting services leveraging deep domain expertise in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, reverse engineering, and threat research.

HiddenLayer’s Adversarial Machine Learning (AdvML) experts empower cybersecurity teams and data scientists with knowledge, insight, and tools to integrate security into the MLOps Pipeline, understand the latest adversarial AI tactics and countermeasures, map the current AI threat landscape, develop high-impact attack scenarios, validate AI environments, and implement operational security controls that satisfy both data science and security teams’ needs. 

About the CVE Program

The mission of the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE®) Program is to identify, define, and catalog publicly disclosed cybersecurity vulnerabilities. There is one CVE Record for each vulnerability in the catalog. The vulnerabilities are discovered then assigned and published by organizations from around the world that have partnered with the CVE Program. Partners publish CVE Records to communicate consistent descriptions of vulnerabilities. Information technology and cybersecurity professionals use CVE Records to ensure they are discussing the same issue, and to coordinate their efforts to prioritize and address the vulnerabilities.  

About HiddenLayer

HiddenLayer, a Gartner-recognized AI Application Security company, helps enterprises safeguard the machine learning models behind their most important products with a comprehensive security platform. Only HiddenLayer offers turnkey security for AI that does not add unnecessary complexity to models and does not require access to raw data and algorithms. Founded in March of 2022 by experienced security and ML professionals, HiddenLayer is based in Austin, Texas. For additional information, including product updates and the latest research reports, visit www.hiddenlayer.com.

HiddenLayer is proud to announce the achievement of Service Organization Control 2 (SOC 2) Type II compliance. This milestone underscores our commitment to upholding rigorous standards in security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy, aligning with our core mission to secure Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning across enterprise and the public sector.

This accomplishment, shortly following our Series A funding, emphasizes our dedication to safeguarding our customer’s data from the outset through robust operational practices.

Understanding SOC 2

SOC 2 is an industry standard set by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), and a trusted framework for customers and third-party auditors to evaluate a service organization's information management systems' security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.

HiddenLayer, alongside its Machine Learning Detection & Response platform, has successfully met SOC 2 standards, validating the design and operational effectiveness of our controls in security, availability, and confidentiality.

SOC 2 compliance is more than a milestone. It resonates with our customers, partners, and investors. It enhances our ability to form partnerships with organizations prioritizing data security and strengthens our capacity to continue to protect organizations from adversarial AI attacks.

What’s Next?

HiddenLayer remains committed to surpassing industry standards. We will continue implementing best practices to prioritize sensitive information protection across our data, systems, and confidentiality processes.

In essence, SOC 2 compliance signifies HiddenLayer's dedication to setting the benchmark for Data Security for AI, reinforcing the trust our stakeholders place in us.

Machine learning security platform will secure government AI systems

AUSTIN, Texas — Oct. 24, 2023 — HiddenLayer, the leading security provider for artificial intelligence (AI) models and assets, announces it has been selected by AFWERX for a SBIR Direct-to-Phase II contract in the amount of $1.25 million focused on implementing their Machine Learning Security (MLSec) Platform to address the most pressing challenges in the Department of the Air Force (DAF).

The Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX have partnered to streamline the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) process by accelerating the small business experience through faster proposal to award timelines, changing the pool of potential applicants by expanding opportunities to small business and eliminating bureaucratic overhead by continually implementing process improvement changes in contract execution. 

The DAF began offering the Open Topic SBIR/STTR program in 2018 which expanded the range of innovations the DAF funded and now on September 22, 2023, HiddenLayer will deploy their innovative security solution to further strengthen the national defense of the United States of America.

"HiddenLayer is honored to continue our partnership with the US Air Force through our second SBIR contract award. This partnership brings our cutting-edge threat detection capabilities to specific Air Force scenarios in operation and will ensure that our military’s use of next-generation technology is secure. Everyone at HiddenLayer is committed to ensuring our government's AI is secure today and always," said Chris Sestito, CEO and co-founder of HiddenLayer.

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

About HiddenLayer
HiddenLayer, a Gartner-recognized AI Application Security company, helps enterprises safeguard the machine learning models behind their most important products with a comprehensive security platform. Only HiddenLayer offers turnkey AI security that does not add unnecessary complexity to models and does not require access to raw data and algorithms. Founded in March of 2022 by experienced security and ML professionals, HiddenLayer is based in Austin, Texas. For additional information, including product updates and the latest research reports, visit www.hiddenlayer.com.

About Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)
Sole organization leading the planning and execution of U.S. Air Force & U.S. Space Force science & technology programs. Orchestrates a world-wide government, industry & academia coalition in the discovery, development & delivery of a wide range of revolutionary technology.  Provides leading-edge warfighting capabilities keeping air, space and cyberspace forces the world's best. Employs 10,800 military, civilian and contractor personnel at 17 research sites executing an annual $4B budget. For more information, visit: www.afresearchlab.com.

About AFWERX
The innovation arm of the DAF and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory brings cutting edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the most pressing challenges of the DAF. Employs approximately 325 military, civilian and contractor personnel at six hubs and sites executing an annual $1.4B budget. Since 2019, has executed 4,671 contracts worth more than $2B to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit: www.afwerx.com.

Harkins brings more than two decades of experience in risk management and security

AUSTIN, Texas — Oct. 17, 2023 — HiddenLayer, the leading security provider for artificial intelligence (AI) models and assets, has welcomed Malcolm Harkins as its Chief Security and Trust Officer. He is responsible for enabling business growth through trusted infrastructure, systems, and peer outreach to evangelize best practices for mitigating AI risk.

Harkins brings more than two decades of experience in information security leadership roles at top technology companies, including Intel, Cymatic, Cylance, and others. Earlier this year, he was named the Top Chief Security and Trust Officer by Cyber Defense Magazine. He is also an independent board member and advisor to several organizations, including TrustMAPP, Cyvatar, and the Cyber Risk Alliance.

“Malcolm is one of the most innovative security leaders in the industry, and I’ve seen first-hand why he’s the right person for this job,” said Chris Sestito, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at HiddenLayer. “Malcolm’s passion for security and his track record with the public sector will help advance HiddenLayer’s mission to protect enterprise and our nation’s most critical AI systems.”

Harkins has testified before the Federal Trade Commission and U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. He is a Fellow with the Institute for Critical Infrastructure Technology, a non-partisan think tank providing cybersecurity expertise to the House of Representatives, Senate, and various federal agencies. Earlier this year, Harkins served on a task force led by the Center for Strategic International Studies to provide direction and leadership for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s evolving mission to protect the federal government. 

“The recent revolution of AI innovation can be a great advancement for society, but only if we ensure those systems are secured,” said Harkins. “HiddenLayer’s approach to protecting AI systems is crucial to enabling them. Helping organizations detect suspicious activity and prevent attacks on AI assets allows them to fully harness this powerful technology.”

Harkins has written multiple books on risk management, information security, and IT and earned awards from the RSA Conference, ISC2, Computerworld, and the Security Advisor Alliance. He previously taught at UCLA’s Anderson School of Management and Susquehanna University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of California at Irvine and an MBA in finance and accounting from the University of California at Davis.

About HiddenLayer

HiddenLayer, a Gartner-recognized AI Application Security company, helps enterprises safeguard the machine learning models behind their most important products with a comprehensive security platform. Only HiddenLayer offers turnkey AI security that does not add unnecessary complexity to models and does not require access to raw data and algorithms. Founded in March of 2022 by experienced security and ML professionals, HiddenLayer is based in Austin, Texas. For additional information, including product updates and the latest research reports, visit www.hiddenlayer.com.

New funding round led by M12 and Moore Strategic Ventures will accelerate company growth as demand for solutions to secure AI continues to increase globally

AUSTIN, Texas — Sept. 19, 2023 — HiddenLayer, the leading security provider for artificial intelligence (AI) models and assets, has raised $50 million in Series A funding to expand its talent base, increase go-to-market efforts, and further invest in its award-winning Machine Learning Security (MLSec) Platform. The investment marks the largest Series A funding raised by a cybersecurity company focused on protecting AI this year, and was led by M12, Microsoft’s Venture Fund, and Moore Strategic Ventures, with participation from Booz Allen Ventures, IBM Ventures, Capital One Ventures, and Ten Eleven Ventures.

HiddenLayer consistently demonstrated growth and market leadership since it emerged from stealth in July 2022. The company added to its industry recognition by initiating partnerships with Intel and Databricks, as well as earning accolades such as Most Innovative Startup at RSAC and Most Promising Early-Stage Startup by SC Media. The company nearly quadrupled its headcount over the past year and plans to add 40 more experts to its staff by the end of the year. The company defends Fortune 100 companies’ AI models across several verticals, including finance, government and defense, and cybersecurity.

“AI's unparalleled rate of adoption fuels us to move even faster in achieving our mission to give every organization the right tools and expertise to leverage AI securely,” said Chris Sestito, CEO and Co-Founder at HiddenLayer. "We know almost every enterprise in the world is already using AI in multiple forms today, but we also know that no other technology has achieved such widespread adoption without security protections in place. We're committed to creating the most frictionless security solutions on the market to satisfy this unmet need."

Research from Forrester commissioned by HiddenLayer, shows an overwhelming 96% of organizations find machine learning (ML) to be important or critical to business operations, but, concerningly, the majority of respondents rely on manual processes to address ML model threats. In response, 80% of respondents want to invest in a solution that manages ML model integrity and security in the next 12 months.

HiddenLayer’s MLSec Platform consists of a suite of products that provide comprehensive security for AI to protect ML models against adversarial attacks, vulnerabilities, and malicious code injections. Each product deployed within MLSec has been designed with unique strengths and capabilities for detection and response, culminating in a multifaceted defensive approach.

HiddenLayer’s flagship Machine Learning Detection and Response (MLDR) product provides a noninvasive, software-based approach to monitoring the inputs and outputs of AI algorithms. MLDR offers real-time defense to an otherwise unprotected asset and flexible response options, including alerting, isolation, profiling, and misleading.

“Inspired by their own experience with an adversarial AI attack, HiddenLayer’s founders built an essential platform for any enterprise working with AI and ML,” said Todd Graham, Managing Partner at M12, Microsoft’s Venture Fund. “Their first-hand knowledge of these attacks, combined with their vision and novel approach, position the company as the go-to solution to protect these models. From the moment we met the founders, we knew this was a big idea in security and wanted to help them scale.”

“As AI continues to proliferate society, Booz Allen is on the front lines of developing and supplying solutions to governments and enterprise that are secure. This is paramount to protecting national security, extending economic power, and enabling companies in competitive markets,” said Travis Bales, Managing Director at Booz Allen Ventures. “HiddenLayer’s powerful platform and expert team has proven effective in securing AI from a broad range of threats, so we quickly identified them as a partner that can support and protect our AI deployments. From our early discussions, it was clear to us that the HiddenLayer team has the vision and execution to continue developing security for the emerging AI market.”

About HiddenLayer

HiddenLayer, a Gartner-recognized AI Application Security company, helps enterprises safeguard the machine learning models behind their most important products with a comprehensive security platform. Only HiddenLayer offers turnkey AI security that does not add unnecessary complexity to models and does not require access to raw data and algorithms. Founded in March of 2022 by experienced security and ML professionals, HiddenLayer is based in Austin, Texas. For additional information, including product updates and the latest research reports, visit www.hiddenlayer.com.

About Moore Strategic Ventures

Moore Strategic Ventures, LLC is the privately held investment company of Louis M. Bacon, Founder and CEO of Moore Capital Management, LP.

About Ten Eleven Ventures

Ten Eleven Ventures is the original cybersecurity-focused, global, stage agnostic investment firm. The firm finds, invests, and helps grow top cybersecurity companies addressing critical digital security needs, tapping its team, network, and experience to help build successful businesses. Since its founding, Ten Eleven Ventures has raised over $US 1 billion and made over 45 cybersecurity investments across stages worldwide, including KnowBe4, Darktrace, Axis Security, Twistlock, Verodin, Cylance, and Ping Identity. For more information, please visit www.1011vc.com.