HiddenLayer vs Scrut Automation

HiddenLayer is an Austin, Texas-based AI security company founded in March 2022 by experienced cybersecurity and machine learning professionals. The company provides a comprehensive AI Security Platform covering AI Discovery (automated inventory), AI Supply Chain Security (model scanning for embedded threats), AI Attack Simulation (red teaming), and AI Runtime Security (guardrails and active threat response). The platform is designed to be non-invasive — protecting models without requiring access to raw training data — and integrates with CI/CD, MLOps, data pipelines, and SIEM/SOAR tools. HiddenLayer is recognized by Gartner as a Cool Vendor for AI Application Security. The company raised $50M in Series A in September 2023, the largest Series A for an AI-focused cybersecurity company at that time, led by M12 (Microsoft's Venture Fund) and Moore Strategic Ventures. Customers include enterprises in financial services, US federal government, and technology. Named endorsers include the CISO of the NFL and the former CISO of AIG.

Scrut Automation is a cloud-based GRC platform that automates compliance management, risk assessment, and audit preparation for growth-stage SaaS and cloud-native companies. It differentiates through continuous monitoring of 230+ security controls, automated evidence collection from 75+ integrations, and support for 70+ frameworks including SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA, NIST AI RMF, and ISO 42001, enabling multi-framework compliance without redundancy. Typical buyers are CISOs and compliance teams at startups and mid-market firms seeking to accelerate audits, reduce manual work, and maintain real-time visibility into cloud, application, people, and third-party risks. Featured in Forrester's GRC Platforms Landscape, it has raised $20.5M total funding, with the latest $10M growth round in 2024 from Lightspeed, MassMutual Ventures, and Endiya Partners to enhance AI capabilities and expand in North America and Europe.