Creating a Secure Algorithm Development Kit for Enhancing Software Trust
A tech company building an algorithmic automation platform struggled with adoption due to growing concerns around algorithm security, transparency, and lack of standardized verification methods. We partnered with them to develop a Secure Algorithm Development Kit (ADK) featuring automated dependency analysis, a specialized “Algorithm Bill of Functions” (ABOF), and composable, pre-verified components—reducing security approval time by 70%, accelerating deployment by 64%, and unlocking new enterprise contracts and service revenue through enhanced trust and transparency.
The Challenge
A forward-thinking technology company had developed an innovative platform designed to help organizations automate complex operational processes through algorithmic solutions. However, they faced a significant barrier to adoption: the growing concern around algorithm security and transparency, particularly in regulated industries and government sectors.
When we engaged with the company, they were struggling with several interrelated challenges:
Enterprise clients were increasingly reluctant to implement algorithmic automation without clear visibility into the security posture and dependency chain of the algorithms they would be implementing.
Development teams across client organizations lacked standardized tools and frameworks for creating secure, verifiable algorithms that could withstand scrutiny from security and compliance teams.
The process of documenting algorithm dependencies and security attributes was largely manual, inconsistent, and prone to errors or omissions that could lead to security vulnerabilities.
Most critically, there was no established method to provide what was essentially a "Software Bill of Materials" (SBOM) for algorithms—a comprehensive inventory of components, dependencies, and security attributes that could validate an algorithm's trustworthiness.
The company recognized that addressing these challenges would require more than just a technical solution; it would necessitate creating a comprehensive development framework that could bridge the gap between algorithm developers and the security requirements of enterprise environments.
Adjective's Approach
We partnered with the company to design and build what we called an "Algorithm Development Kit" (ADK)—a secure and dependable framework for creating, documenting, and verifying algorithms. The approach went far beyond traditional software development tooling, focusing on creating a trust framework that would make algorithm adoption more seamless for security-conscious enterprises.
The first phase involved extensive research with both algorithm developers and security professionals to understand the specific friction points in the algorithm adoption process. This research revealed that trust barriers existed on both sides: developers found security requirements burdensome, while security teams lacked the tools to effectively evaluate algorithm components.
Based on these insights, we designed a multi-layered solution architecture for the ADK:
A core development framework that included security-focused libraries, templates, and patterns that developers could easily incorporate into their workflow, minimizing the additional effort required to meet security standards.
An automated dependency analysis engine that could identify, catalog, and evaluate all components included in an algorithm, from mathematical functions to data processing utilities.
A verification system that generated a comprehensive "Algorithm Bill of Functions" (ABOF)—essentially a specialized SBOM tailored specifically for algorithmic components.
A validation layer that evaluated each ABOF against established security criteria and industry standards, providing a clear trust rating for the algorithm.
The most innovative aspect of the ADK was its approach to composability. Recognizing that many organizations struggle with algorithm development due to limited specialized talent, we designed the system to enable the creation of complex algorithms by combining simpler, pre-verified components. This enabled teams with varied technical capabilities to assemble sophisticated algorithmic solutions while maintaining security integrity.
Throughout the development process, we worked closely with both the company's engineering team and a select group of pilot customers to refine the ADK's capabilities and ensure it addressed real-world implementation challenges.
The Results
The Algorithm Development Kit transformed how the company's clients approached algorithmic automation, delivering measurable improvements across multiple dimensions:
Client organizations reported a 64% reduction in the time required to develop and deploy new algorithms, primarily due to the pre-verified components and standardized security patterns provided by the ADK.
The automated ABOF generation eliminated hours of manual documentation work for each algorithm deployment, while simultaneously improving the accuracy and completeness of security documentation.
Security approval cycles for algorithm implementations decreased from an average of 23 days to just 7 days, as security teams gained confidence in the standardized verification process.
The company secured several new enterprise contracts specifically citing the ADK's security capabilities as a decisive factor, including a major financial institution that had previously declined to implement algorithmic automation due to security concerns.
Most significantly, the ADK created new revenue opportunities beyond the company's core platform. As clients became comfortable with the development framework, many sought additional algorithm services to address increasingly complex use cases. This provided the company with a natural upsell path that leveraged their unique expertise while expanding client engagements.
The Transformation
Beyond the immediate business metrics, the ADK fundamentally changed how the company positioned itself in the market. Rather than simply offering a platform for algorithm deployment, they became recognized as thought leaders in secure algorithm development—a critical differentiator in an increasingly crowded market.
The ABOF framework pioneered through this initiative has since been adapted by several clients as their internal standard for algorithm documentation and verification, extending the company's influence beyond their direct product offerings.
The success of the ADK also catalyzed an evolution in the company's professional services model. What began as a traditional software vendor relationship expanded into a true partnership where the company's expertise in algorithm security became as valuable as their technical platform.
One client executive summarized the impact succinctly: "Before the ADK, adopting algorithms felt like accepting a black box into our infrastructure. Now we have transparency into what we're implementing and confidence in its security—that's transformed our willingness to embrace algorithmic solutions."
This case exemplifies how addressing security and trust concerns can unlock significant business value, particularly for innovative technologies that face adoption barriers in security-conscious industries. By creating a comprehensive framework that bridges technical capabilities with security requirements, we helped the company transform a potential obstacle into a compelling competitive advantage.