HiddenLayer
Category: AI in Cybersecurity
AI security platform that protects machine learning models, agents, and workflows from adversarial attacks, vulnerabilities, and malicious code injections. HiddenLayer was founded in 2022. The company is led by Chris "Tito" Sestito. Based in Austin, Texas, USA. Team size: 101-500. Total funding raised: $156M. Latest round: Series B. Key investors include Delta-v Capital, Ten Eleven Ventures, M12 (Microsoft's Venture Fund), Moore Strategic Ventures, Morgan Stanley, Booz Allen Ventures, IBM Ventures, Capital One Ventures, Secure Octane.
- Founded
- 2022
- Headquarters
- Austin, Texas, USA
- Team size
- 101-500
- Total funding
- $156M
Value proposition
Provides the most comprehensive AI security platform covering the full AI lifecycle — AI Discovery, AI Supply Chain Security, AI Attack Simulation, and AI Runtime Security — using patented, non-invasive technology that protects models without requiring access to raw data or model internals.
Products and solutions
HiddenLayer AI Security Platform: AI Discovery (shadow AI visibility), AI Supply Chain Security (model scanning/validation), AI Attack Simulation (red teaming), AI Runtime Security (MLDR firewall for real-time detection/response), use cases include Model Scanning, Red Teaming, AI Guardrails, and Agentic/MCP Protection.
Unique value
Only AI security vendor offering turnkey, non-invasive protection that does not add complexity to models and does not require access to raw data or algorithms — backed by 30+ issued patents and 50+ disclosed CVEs from its own adversarial AI research.
Target customer
Enterprise CISOs, AI leaders, and application developers across financial services, technology, US federal government, and healthcare; Fortune 100 companies.
Industries served
Financial services, technology, US federal government, healthcare, cybersecurity.
Technology advantage
Patented Machine Learning Detection and Response (MLDR) technology; industry-leading adversarial AI research (first-ever AI-specific malware discovery, Adversarial Prompt Engineering taxonomy); non-invasive software-based monitoring of model inputs/outputs; native integrations with CI/CD, MLOps, data pipelines, and SIEM/SOAR.
How they differentiate
HiddenLayer differentiates via its non-invasive, patented MLDR approach that protects models in production without accessing raw data or model internals, combined with deep adversarial AI research credibility (50+ CVEs, first AI-specific malware discovery) and a comprehensive full-lifecycle platform.
Main competitors
Protect AI, CalypsoAI, Robust Intelligence (acquired by Cisco), Lakera, Prompt Security.
Key partnerships
AWS, Databricks, Intel, Microsoft (M12), Booz Allen Hamilton, IBM, Capital One, US Department of Defense (Phase 2 SBIR contract), Cohere (agentic AI security collaboration, announced June 29, 2026), U.S. Department of Energy / Idaho National Laboratory (Prometheus Initiative under the Genesis Mission, $60M nuclear-AI program, announced Aug 18, 2026)
Notable customers
Fortune 100 companies across finance, government/defense, and cybersecurity, US Department of Defense (Phase 2 SBIR contract).
Major milestones
Founded March 2022, emerged from stealth July 2022 with $6M seed, discovered first-ever AI-specific malware, $50M Series A (Sep 2023, largest AI-cybersecurity Series A that year), Most Innovative Startup at RSAC, Most Promising Early-Stage Startup by SC Media, $100M Series B (Sep 2026).
Growth metrics
75%+ reduction in exposure to AI exploits; nearly quadrupled headcount in first year; defends Fortune 100 companies' AI models.
Market positioning
Gartner-recognized AI Application Security company and a leading independent player in the AI security (MLSec) market; raised the largest Series A for an AI-focused cybersecurity company in 2023 and continues to scale with a $100M Series B.
Geographic focus
Primarily US (Austin HQ), with US federal government focus; serves global enterprise customers.
Patents and IP
30+ issued patents; 50+ CVEs disclosed through security research.
About Chris "Tito" Sestito
Ex-Qualys VP of Engineering; Ex-Cylance Director of Threat Research; Ex-Agari Senior Director of Data Science. Co-founded HiddenLayer after experiencing an adversarial AI attack firsthand.
Latest news about HiddenLayer
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Official website: https://hiddenlayer.com
