How We Approach Security at Clearview AI: Inside the Core Principles Shaping Our Security Program
By The Clearview AI Security Team
October marks Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and this year CISA’s theme, "Securing the Next 250," highlights the vital role critical infrastructure operators play in safeguarding our shared future as the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary. For an organization stewarding sensitive data, this initiative is a powerful reminder that strong security is never a static milestone—it demands continuous practice, vigilance, and rigorous self-examination.
SECURITY IS AN ONGOING PRACTICE, NOT A ONE-TIME CLAIM
This mindset drives our security program, built around key operational standards across the organization.
To start, we mandate company-managed hardware and thoroughly vetted software for all employees and contractors with internal access. Proper security is impossible on devices or platforms with unverified baseline conditions. We also conduct comprehensive risk evaluations of every third-party vendor before granting access to internal systems or client data. Outsourcing execution never relieves us of our responsibility to protect sensitive information.
We apply the same rigorous philosophy to our engineering and infrastructure. Rather than relying solely on internal audits, we actively seek external validation through continuous compliance monitoring, regular third-party penetration testing, and a dedicated bug bounty program. Inviting independent ethical hackers to test sanitized environments helps identify potential vulnerabilities proactively before they can ever be exploited.
STRENGTHENING THE HUMAN ELEMENT
Because security expertise isn't a requirement for every role, building awareness across all teams is critical. We mandate security awareness training for all team members at all levels, both at the time of hire and on an annual basis.
Overly punitive security environments tend to backfire by discouraging openness, turning accidental missteps into unreported risks. Our approach encourages transparent communication: team members are empowered to report potential security issues without fear of penalty, even if they clicked a phishing link or downloaded a malicious file. Disciplinary action is reserved strictly for intentional circumvention of security protocol or deliberate concealment of incidents. We also offer an anonymous reporting channel for additional assurance to our team.
WHY INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION MATTERS
Security claims carry far more weight when validated independently. That is why Clearview AI has maintained a SOC 2 Type 2 attestation since 2021. Rigorous external audits of our control environments, activity logs, and configurations are intensive but essential. Beyond fulfilling customer expectations, we view independent verification as a fundamental obligation to the data entrusted to us.
OUR ONGOING COMMITMENT
We take immense pride in our security program and the responsibility that comes with managing sensitive assets. Lasting security favors organizations that consistently re-examine their assumptions and refine their defenses—a commitment we uphold every day.
Learn more about Clearview AI’s security principles on our Security page.
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