HiddenLayer
HiddenLayer is an Austin-based AI security vendor that sells a four-module platform (AI Discovery, AI Supply Chain Security, AI Attack Simulation, AI Runtime Security) to enterprise CISOs, AI leaders, and federal agencies to discover, verify, and protect AI and agentic systems.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2022
- HeadquartersAustin, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What HiddenLayer does
HiddenLayer, Inc. is an Austin, Texas-based AI security company founded in 2022 that sells a layered software platform for protecting enterprise machine-learning, generative-AI, and agentic-AI systems across the full lifecycle. The platform is organized into four modules — AI Discovery (asset inventory and shadow-AI elimination), AI Supply Chain Security (graph-level ONNX inspection and AI Bill of Materials), AI Attack Simulation (continuous adversarial testing and red teaming), and AI Runtime Security / AIDR (a non-invasive firewall using deterministic classifiers that sit outside the model inference path). The company complements its product with AI Security Services engagements, marketplace listings, and an Airgapped AI Security Platform variant for classified DoD environments.
The business operates a demo-gated, quote-based enterprise SaaS motion with annual subscriptions, augmented by professional services, marketplace and hyperscaler co-sell (AWS Bedrock and AgentCore, Databricks Unity AI Gateway), and US federal contracting via the Missile Defense Agency's SHIELD IDIQ vehicle for the Golden Dome initiative. Disclosed customers include NFL, AIG, GitLab, Dow, USIC, IBM, Cyera, Aviatrix, NetRise, Astrix Security, and Gryphon X, with primary personas being CISOs and AI leaders in financial services, technology, and US federal government. The company is venture-backed (~$56M disclosed across seed and Series A rounds led by Ten Eleven Ventures and co-led by M12 and Moore Strategic Ventures with IBM Ventures, Capital One Ventures, and Booz Allen Ventures), holds 30+ issued patents, has disclosed 50+ CVEs through its research team, and is SOC 2 Type II compliant.
HiddenLayer firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- HiddenLayer
- Legal name
- HiddenLayer, Inc.
- Website
- https://hiddenlayer.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2022
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- HiddenLayer is an Austin-based AI security vendor that sells a four-module platform (AI Discovery, AI Supply Chain Security, AI Attack Simulation, AI Runtime Security) to enterprise CISOs, AI leaders, and federal agencies to discover, verify, and protect AI and agentic systems.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
HiddenLayer industry classification
Industry- Product category
- AI Security Software
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (5132), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Responsible AI, Security & Privacy Platforms (Safety, Guardrails, PII) (HDAEANAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Secure Model Deployment & Runtime Protection (sandboxing, isolation) (HDAAAKAH), Model Security Testing & Red Teaming (adversarial ML, jailbreaks) (HDAAAKAC), AI Supply Chain Security & SBOM/Model Provenance (artifacts, lineage) (HDAAAKAG), Prompt Security & Injection Defense (HDAAAKAE)
Keywords
Where HiddenLayer is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Austin
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
HiddenLayer business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Operations
Revenue model
- Enterprise SaaS subscriptions (HiddenLayer AI Security Platform): Recurring subscription revenue from licensing the multi-module HiddenLayer AI Security Platform (AI Discovery, AI Supply Chain Security, AI Attack Simulation, AI Runtime Security / AIDR). Pricing is quote-based and gated behind "Book a Demo," consistent with enterprise SaaS annual or multi-year contracts.
- Professional services — AI Security Services / Red Team engagements: Revenue from dedicated AI red team engagements and security services; the contact-us FAQ notes the demo does not include live testing and that "our AI Security Services team can schedule a dedicated Red Team engagement," indicating project-based services revenue on top of the platform.
- US Federal / DoD contract revenue (SHIELD IDIQ): HiddenLayer was selected as an awardee on the Missile Defense Agency's $151B SHIELD IDIQ contract supporting the Golden Dome initiative, selling its Airgapped AI Security Platform to protect AI systems in classified, disconnected environments via task orders under the IDIQ vehicle.
- Marketplace / cloud-platform channel sales: HiddenLayer expanded security for AI solutions to major marketplaces (Feb 2025 PR headline) and ships pre-built integrations with AWS Bedrock/AgentCore and Databricks Unity AI Gateway, generating revenue through marketplace-listed and co-sell transactions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Annual | Quote-based enterprise licensing for the HiddenLayer AI Security Platform (AI Discovery, AI Supply Chain Security, AI Attack Simulation, AI Runtime Security). |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels9 records
HiddenLayer product offering
Product offeringCore offering
HiddenLayer sells a patented, multi-module SaaS AI Security Platform that protects enterprise machine-learning and generative-AI applications across the full lifecycle. The platform combines four modules — AI Discovery (asset inventory and shadow-AI elimination), AI Supply Chain Security (model integrity validation and AIBOM generation), AI Attack Simulation (continuous adversarial red teaming), and AI Runtime Security / AIDR (deterministic firewall between applications and models) — to deliver non-invasive AI Detection & Response without disrupting inference. Specialized variants include the Airgapped AI Security Platform for classified DoD environments and the ModelScanner for graph-level ONNX backdoor detection.
Product overview
HiddenLayer offers a single unified AI Security Platform, marketed as 'Total AI Security', that protects predictive, generative, and agentic AI applications across the entire lifecycle. The platform is structured as a core platform with four named modules: AI Discovery (asset inventory and shadow AI elimination), AI Supply Chain Security (model integrity validation and AIBOM generation), AI Attack Simulation (continuous adversarial red teaming), and AI Runtime Security (real-time firewall with deterministic classifiers). Specialized sub-products include the HiddenLayer AIDR (AI Detection & Response) runtime classifier system and the HiddenLayer Model Scanner for graph-level static analysis of ONNX model files. An Airgapped AI Security Platform variant extends the offering to classified and disconnected DoD environments, and the HiddenLayer APE Taxonomy provides a complementary public research framework for categorizing adversarial prompts.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- HiddenLayer AI Security Platform: The comprehensive AI security platform providing AI Discovery, AI Supply Chain Security, AI Attack Simulation, and AI Runtime Security capabilities.
- MLDR (Machine Learning Detection & Response)
- AIDR (AI Detection & Response)
- HiddenLayer Model Scanner
Products and services
- HiddenLayer AI Security Platform Patented, comprehensive AI security platform securing agentic, generative, and predictive AI applications across the entire lifecycle. Provides four modular capabilities: AI Discovery, AI Supply Chain Security, AI Attack Simulation, and AI Runtime Security. Sold to enterprise CISOs, AI leaders, and federal agencies.
- AI Discovery Module that identifies and inventories AI applications, models, and assets across the enterprise environment to eliminate shadow AI and provide visibility across enterprise AI systems. Sold to enterprise security teams and federal agencies.
- AI Supply Chain Security Module that analyzes, identifies risks, and protects AI applications, models, and assets during build by validating model integrity and supply chain provenance, including AI Bill of Materials (AIBOM) generation via graph-level ONNX inspection. Sold to enterprise security teams and federal agencies.
- AI Attack Simulation Module that continually identifies threats and validates defenses through red-teaming-style adversarial simulations to safeguard agentic and generative AI applications at scale. Sold to enterprise security teams and federal agencies.
- AI Runtime Security Firewall module that monitors, detects, and responds in real time to adversarial threats on agentic and generative AI applications using deterministic classifiers that operate outside the model inference path. The 2026 update added agentic runtime security capabilities including runtime visibility, threat hunting, and real-time threat prevention for autonomous AI agents. Sold to enterprise security teams and federal agencies.
- HiddenLayer AIDR (AI Detection & Response) Non-invasive machine learning detection and response system that provides real-time protection against adversarial attacks without accessing customer data or proprietary models, using deterministic classifiers that sit outside the inference path. SOC 2 Type II certified. Sold to enterprises operating in regulated, data-sensitive environments.
- HiddenLayer Model Scanner Graph-level static analysis tool that inspects ONNX model files' computational graph structure for suspicious patterns including ShadowLogic backdoors, control-vector injections, embedded malware, serialization exploits, and poisoning indicators; produces an AI Bill of Materials. Sold to enterprises and federal agencies that need to verify model integrity before deployment.
- Airgapped AI Security Platform Variant of the HiddenLayer AI Security Platform designed to protect AI systems in fully classified, disconnected, and air-gapped environments without continuous vendor-cloud connectivity. Sold to US Federal agencies and the Department of Defense via task orders under the MDA SHIELD IDIQ contract.
Quantifiable outcome
- 75%+ reduction in exposure to AI exploits (stated customer outcome on HiddenLayer homepage).
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use HiddenLayer
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
HiddenLayer technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
AI capability11 records
Feature8 records
HiddenLayer partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered peer ecosystem partner, flagship federal customer/partner, flagship hyperscaler partner, flagship cloud-platform partner, flagship data-platform partner, core and core integration partner.
- CrowdStrikepeer ecosystem partnerCo-listed with HiddenLayer as a launch partner in Databricks' Unity AI Gateway partner ecosystem, extending governance to runtime interactions between models, agents, MCP servers, and AI tools.
- Palo Alto Networkspeer ecosystem partnerCo-listed with HiddenLayer as a launch partner in Databricks' Unity AI Gateway partner ecosystem at Data + AI Summit 2026.
- Zscalerpeer ecosystem partnerCo-listed with HiddenLayer as a launch partner in Databricks' Unity AI Gateway partner ecosystem.
- Oktapeer ecosystem partnerCo-listed with HiddenLayer as a launch partner in Databricks' Unity AI Gateway partner ecosystem, covering identity governance for AI workflows.
- Ping Identitypeer ecosystem partnerCo-listed with HiddenLayer as a launch partner in Databricks' Unity AI Gateway partner ecosystem.
- SailPointpeer ecosystem partnerCo-listed with HiddenLayer as a launch partner in Databricks' Unity AI Gateway partner ecosystem.
- Saviyntpeer ecosystem partnerCo-listed with HiddenLayer as a launch partner in Databricks' Unity AI Gateway partner ecosystem.
- Cyerapeer ecosystem partnerCo-listed with HiddenLayer as a launch partner in Databricks' Unity AI Gateway partner ecosystem; also a HiddenLayer customer logo on hiddenlayer.com.
- Netskopepeer ecosystem partnerCo-listed with HiddenLayer as a launch partner in Databricks' Unity AI Gateway partner ecosystem.
- Noma Securitypeer ecosystem partnerCo-listed with HiddenLayer as a launch partner in Databricks' Unity AI Gateway partner ecosystem.
- Obsidian Securitypeer ecosystem partnerCo-listed with HiddenLayer as a launch partner in Databricks' Unity AI Gateway partner ecosystem.
- Openlayerpeer ecosystem partnerCo-listed with HiddenLayer as a launch partner in Databricks' Unity AI Gateway partner ecosystem.
- Alicepeer ecosystem partnerCo-listed with HiddenLayer as a launch partner in Databricks' Unity AI Gateway partner ecosystem.
- U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) / U.S. Department of Defenseflagship federal customer/partnerSelected as an awardee on the Missile Defense Agency's SHIELD IDIQ contract supporting the Golden Dome initiative, providing its Airgapped AI Security Platform to protect AI systems in fully classified, disconnected environments for the DoD.
- AWS (re:Invent 2025 co-announced vendors)flagship hyperscaler partnerAt AWS re:Invent 2025 HiddenLayer was among multiple security vendors (with SentinelOne, ZEST Security, Salt Security, Sumo Logic, Skyhawk Security, Securonix, and Varonis) announcing new integrations and capabilities built for AWS environments.
- AWS (Amazon Web Services)flagship cloud-platform partnerFeatured partner on /partners/aws with native integrations to AWS Generative AI offerings (Bedrock and AgentCore). At AWS re:Invent 2025 HiddenLayer announced expanded integrations, an AI Attack Simulation module, and an AI Discovery module to secure Bedrock and AgentCore deployments, and was among security vendors showcasing new integrations for AWS environments.
- Databricksflagship data-platform partnerFeatured partner on /partners/databricks. At Data + AI Summit 2026 Databricks launched the Unity AI Gateway partner ecosystem with integrations from 14 companies across AI security, identity governance, observability, and agent governance; HiddenLayer was named among the launch partners alongside CrowdStrike, Palo Alto Networks, Zscaler, Okta, and others.
- Databricks, AWS, Azure, GCP, Splunk, Microsoft Sentinel (integrations)corePer the contact-us FAQ, the HiddenLayer platform "integrates natively with Databricks, AWS, Azure, GCP, and SIEMs like Splunk and Microsoft Sentinel with zero disruption to existing workflows."
- GitHubcore integration partnerHiddenLayer advertises a pre-built native integration with GitHub as part of its CI/CD, MLOps, Data Pipelines, and SIEM/SOAR integration story.
- Azure DevOpscore integration partnerHiddenLayer advertises a pre-built native integration with Azure DevOps as part of its CI/CD, MLOps, Data Pipelines, and SIEM/SOAR integration story.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
HiddenLayer competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Lakera: Lakera provides LLM and agent security (Gandalf, Guard) focused on prompt injection and AI guardrails, directly competing with HiddenLayer's Runtime Security module on prompt-injection defense for enterprise LLM deployments.
- Protect AI: Protect AI offers an AI/ML security platform covering model scanning, red teaming, and runtime protection for LLMs and ML models — the closest direct competitor to HiddenLayer across the full AI lifecycle, frequently co-listed in third-party AI security buyers' guides.
- CalypsoAI: CalypsoAI offers an AI security and validation platform (including red teaming, guardrails and model scanning) that competes head-to-head with HiddenLayer across attack simulation, model scanning and runtime enforcement.
- Prompt Security: Prompt Security delivers AI security for LLM applications including prompt-injection defense, data leakage prevention and shadow AI discovery — overlapping directly with HiddenLayer's AI Discovery and Runtime Security modules.
- Mindgard: Mindgard provides AI security testing and red-teaming for ML and LLM systems, frequently listed alongside HiddenLayer in enterprise AI security buyers' guides and competing on the Attack Simulation use case.
Broad incumbents
- AWS (Bedrock Guardrails / AgentCore): AWS Bedrock Guardrails and AgentCore offer native prompt-injection defense and runtime protections for foundation models running on AWS — a broad incumbent that both competes with and co-sells HiddenLayer's AWS GenAI security integrations.
- Microsoft (Prompt Shields / Azure AI Content Safety): Microsoft bundles prompt-injection defense (Prompt Shields), Azure AI Content Safety and Defender for Cloud AI protections into Azure — competing with HiddenLayer's runtime guardrails, particularly for Azure-native enterprise customers, and was a Series A lead investor via M12.
- Palo Alto Networks (Prisma AI Security): Palo Alto Networks offers AI security capabilities across Prisma Cloud and Cortex, including model and AI workload protection — a broad incumbent platform that overlaps with HiddenLayer's supply-chain and runtime modules and is a co-launch partner in Databricks' Unity AI Gateway ecosystem.
- CrowdStrike (Charlotte AI / AI Security): CrowdStrike is extending its Falcon platform into AI/LLM workload security, including runtime protections and AI inventory — a broad incumbent competing with HiddenLayer's discovery and runtime modules and a co-launch partner in Databricks' Unity AI Gateway.
- Cisco AI Defense: Cisco AI Defense (built around the Robust Intelligence acquisition) provides AI model and application security as part of Cisco's broader security portfolio — a broad incumbent that competes with HiddenLayer on runtime, model scanning and red-teaming capabilities at enterprise scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
HiddenLayer social profiles
Digital presenceHiddenLayer compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
HiddenLayer financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
HiddenLayer leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
HiddenLayer funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors10 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
HiddenLayer M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about HiddenLayer
What does HiddenLayer do?
HiddenLayer sells a patented, multi-module SaaS AI Security Platform that protects enterprise machine-learning and generative-AI applications across the full lifecycle. The platform combines four modules — AI Discovery (asset inventory and shadow-AI elimination), AI Supply Chain Security (model integrity validation and AIBOM generation), AI Attack Simulation (continuous adversarial red teaming), and AI Runtime Security / AIDR (deterministic firewall between applications and models) — to deliver non-invasive AI Detection & Response without disrupting inference. Specialized variants include the Airgapped AI Security Platform for classified DoD environments and the ModelScanner for graph-level ONNX backdoor detection.
Is HiddenLayer a public or private company?
HiddenLayer is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was HiddenLayer founded?
HiddenLayer was founded in 2022. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is HiddenLayer based?
HiddenLayer is headquartered in Austin, United States, in the North America region.
How does HiddenLayer make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Enterprise SaaS subscriptions (HiddenLayer AI Security Platform) is the primary driver. The others are professional services — AI Security Services / Red Team engagements, US Federal / DoD contract revenue (SHIELD IDIQ) and marketplace / cloud-platform channel sales.
Who are HiddenLayer's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Lakera, Protect AI, CalypsoAI, Prompt Security and Mindgard. Broad incumbents are AWS (Bedrock Guardrails / AgentCore), Microsoft (Prompt Shields / Azure AI Content Safety), Palo Alto Networks (Prisma AI Security), CrowdStrike (Charlotte AI / AI Security) and Cisco AI Defense.
Does HiddenLayer have an API?
No public API is recorded for HiddenLayer.
What industry is HiddenLayer in?
HiddenLayer's product category is AI Security Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAEANAG, Responsible AI, Security & Privacy Platforms (Safety, Guardrails, PII), with a secondary code of HDAAAKAH, Secure Model Deployment & Runtime Protection (sandboxing, isolation). Its NAICS code is 5132 and its SIC code is 7373.