Security Level 5

Security Level 5

Develops frontier AI security standards

Overview

SL5 Task Force is a nonprofit that develops practical security standards to protect frontier AI from nation-state threats. It creates the SL5 Standard, an overlay to existing frameworks (like NIST SP 800-53 and ICD 705) that provides technical controls and implementation guidance, delivered through two tracks: an Executive Track for decision-makers and a Technical Track for security researchers, with working groups on machine, network, physical, personnel, and supply chain security. The organization differentiates itself through a multistakeholder approach that includes AI labs, national security leaders, data center operators, and chip providers, and by offering an actionable roadmap that bridges current practices with higher-security measures and threat modeling, prototyping, and cost-benefit analyses (e.g., Project MoAT and AI705). Its goal is to achieve nation-state grade protection for frontier AI and to build a functional prototype datacenter with leading AI labs by 2026.

About Security Level 5

Simplify's Rating
Why Security Level 5 is rated
C+
Rated B on Competitive Edge
Rated B on Growth Potential
Rated D+ on Differentiation

Industries

Consulting

Government & Public Sector

Cybersecurity

AI & Machine Learning

Company Size

1-10

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

N/A

Founded

N/A

Get referred to Security Level 5

See people who can refer or advise you

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Lisa Thiergart released SL5 Standard v0.1 in March 2026 with 60 controls.
  • NIST workshop agendas in July 2026 featured SL5 and AI705, signaling institutional traction.
  • IST's 2025 annual report credits Coefficient Giving and over 100 contributors for SL5.

What critics are saying

  • No organization has achieved SL5, and RAND said current tools fail it.
  • SL5 depends on frontier labs adopting costly facility and procurement changes by 2028/2029.
  • A nation-state model-weight theft before adoption destroys SL5's relevance and exposes existential loss.

What makes Security Level 5 unique

  • SL5 combines NIST SP 800-53, NIST 800-161, and ICD 705 for frontier AI.
  • It convenes 50-plus participants across executive and technical tracks, including labs and national security.
  • Project MoAT builds a 1-2 MW mock datacenter to test controls before deployment.

Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) Company Match

Recently Posted Jobs

Sign up to get curated job recommendations

Security Level 5 is Hiring for 13 Jobs on Simplify!

Find jobs on Simplify and start your career today

Don't see your dream role? Check out thousands of other roles on Simplify. Browse all jobs →