HiddenLayer pioneered enterprise AI runtime security and threat detection. HexTyx approaches AI security as a full lifecycle discipline — pre-deployment testing, agent and RAG validation, governance, compliance evidence, and runtime assurance combined. A neutral comparison across every major capability category.
As enterprise AI adoption accelerates, buyers face a critical question: which AI security platform fits their programme? HiddenLayer and HexTyx both reduce AI risk but from different starting points. HiddenLayer built its reputation on AI runtime threat detection and security posture management. HexTyx combines security testing, governance, compliance, and runtime assurance into a unified lifecycle platform. The right choice depends on your primary objective.
HiddenLayer is one of the most established names in enterprise AI security, widely recognised for AI threat detection, model security, runtime monitoring, AI security posture management, and AI asset discovery. It has strong traction among large enterprises and government organisations that need operational visibility into deployed AI systems.
HexTyx is an enterprise AI security, governance, and compliance platform combining AI security testing, prompt injection assessment, AI red teaming, agent and RAG security validation, runtime monitoring, governance reporting, and compliance evidence generation. The focus is complete assurance across the AI deployment lifecycle — from testing before launch to monitoring after it.
| Capability | HiddenLayer | HexTyx |
|---|---|---|
| AI Security Testing | Strong | Strong |
| Prompt Injection Testing | Strong | Strong |
| Agent Security Testing | Moderate | Strong |
| RAG Security Validation | Moderate | Strong |
| Runtime Protection | Strong | Strong |
| AI Governance | Limited | Strong |
| AI Compliance Support | Moderate | Strong |
| AI Audit Evidence | Limited | Strong |
| Executive Reporting | Moderate | Strong |
| Industry Compliance Mapping | Limited | Strong |
Agentic AI is the fastest-growing enterprise attack surface. Agents access systems, execute workflows, use tools, maintain memory, and operate autonomously — a compromised agent takes real-world actions at machine speed.
HiddenLayer provides visibility into AI workloads and runtime behaviour. Agent coverage continues to evolve alongside the market.
HexTyx provides dedicated agent security coverage: autonomous workflow attack simulation, tool misuse testing, MCP server validation, permission governance assessment, and agent memory security testing — all before deployment and continuously after it.
RAG risks sit at the knowledge-base layer — cross-tenant leakage, retrieval poisoning, and access control failures happen before the model generates a response, and runtime monitoring alone can't catch them.
HiddenLayer provides AI system activity visibility and security posture management at the model and runtime layers.
HexTyx adds dedicated RAG assessment: chunk-level access control validation, retrieval authorisation testing, vector database exposure assessment, and enterprise data governance alignment.
HiddenLayer is strongest here — runtime monitoring, AI threat detection, asset discovery, and security visibility are core competencies. Many enterprises deploy HiddenLayer primarily for this capability.
HexTyx integrates runtime visibility with governance reporting, compliance evidence, and risk management workflows. The emphasis is demonstrating organisational control — not only detecting threats.
In 2026 security testing alone is insufficient for many enterprise deployments. Auditors, regulators, customers, and boards require evidence. The EU AI Act, NIST AI RMF, SOC 2, and ISO 27001 all require documented controls and demonstrable oversight.
HiddenLayer supports security posture management and operational visibility. Governance is not the primary platform focus.
HexTyx treats governance as a core design objective: risk reporting, executive dashboards, compliance evidence collection, AI control mapping, and governance workflows that connect security findings to audit requirements.
Bottom line: Run a free AI security assessment across all 5 defence layers. Results in 10 minutes, no signup required.
Run a free AI security assessment across all 5 defence layers. Results in 10 minutes, no signup required.