Why AI supply chain security matters
AI supply chains introduce a new class of security risks. Pre‑trained models, third‑party components, data dependencies and deployment infrastructure can all become attack vectors if not properly secured. A single compromised component can undermine the integrity of an entire system.
The LASR AI Supply Chain Security Programme focuses on building confidence in AI by strengthening security across the full lifecycle of AI systems, from development and integration through to deployment and operation. This approach reflects growing recognition that AI security must extend beyond individual models to encompass the wider systems and dependencies they rely on.
Opportunity areas
The programme is structured around a set of priority opportunity areas critical to securing AI supply chains. These include:
- Secure deployment and monitoring of AI, including AI systems deployed at the edge and in critical national infrastructure
- Trustworthiness and provenance of AI components, addressing risks associated with third‑party models, tools and dependencies
- Integrity of AI systems over time, including detection of drift, emerging vulnerabilities and malicious interference across the AI lifecycle
By targeting these areas, the programme supports the development of near‑term, deployable solutions that address real world AI security challenges.
Supporting SMEs through collaboration
Delivered by Plexal under the LASR framework and supported by industry and government partners, the programme provides participating SMEs with structured support to develop, test and strengthen their AI security capabilities.
SMEs engage with researchers, industry experts and public sector stakeholders to refine their solutions, validate assumptions and align with real world deployment needs. This collaborative model helps bridge the gap between innovation and adoption, ensuring that emerging AI security capabilities are grounded in operational reality.
Meet the cohort
Mind Foundry
Mind Foundry is a UK sovereign AI company spun out of the University of Oxford, providing responsible solutions for defence and national security. Mind Foundry’s products and technology services enhance operations with connected intelligence by turning complex sensor data into trusted insights, accelerating decision-making and putting AI in human hands where it matters most.
Secure Agentics
Secure Agentics builds the cyber security products required for a future shaped by AI agents. Its core product is a monitoring and control platform for agentic AI, detecting when agents become misaligned, compromised or behave in unintended ways and intervenes to prevent harm. This enables the deployment and scaling of AI agents with confidence, maximising automation benefits while maintaining security, governance and oversight.
Tikos Technologies
Tikos Technologies is a UK deeptech startup developing an AI assurance platform for defence, CNI and financial Services. Tikos directly supports supply chain security by analysing model internals, tracing neural activation paths and detecting vulnerabilities, hallucinations and potential misuse in models, including LLMs.
