Protect AI Acquires Laiyer AI

Protect AI, a Seattle, WA-based artificial intelligence and machine learning security company, acquired Laiyer AI, a Berlin, Germany-based provider of a security solution enhancing the security of LLM interactions.

The amount of the deal was not disclosed.

With the acquisition, Protect AI will be offering a commercial version of Laiyer AI’s open source LLM Guard with expanded features, capabilities, and integrations within the Protect AI platform.

Co founded by Neal Swaelens and Oleksandr Yaremchuk, Laiyer AI provides LLM Guard, which is a solution designed to enhance the security of LLM interactions, supporting both proprietary and third-party models. LLM Guard’s core features include the detection, redaction, and sanitization of inputs and outputs from LLMs, effectively mitigating risks such as prompt injections to personal data leaks. These features are integral to preserving LLM functionality while safeguarding against malicious attacks and misuse. Moreover, LLM Guard integrates with existing security workflows, offering observability tools like logging and metrics.

Led by CEO Ian Swanson, Protect AI provides a platform to secure clients’ AI. It enables customers to see, know, and manage security risks to defend against unique AI security threats, and embrace MLSecOps. The platform offers visibility into the AI/ML attack surface, detects security threats, and remediates vulnerabilities. Protect AI is funded by Acrew Capital, boldstart ventures, Evolution Equity Partners, Knollwood Capital, Pelion Ventures and Salesforce Ventures.

Commenting on the news, Ian Swanson said: “Protect AI is thrilled to announce the acquisition of Laiyer AI’s team and product suite, which significantly enhances our leading AI and ML security platform. These new capabilities will empower our customers in automotive, energy, manufacturing, life sciences, financial services, and government sectors to develop safe, secure GenAI applications.”