TRUST & SECURITY
HOW HAI PROTECTS WHAT ASSOCIATIONS AND THEIR
MEMBERS SHARE
Security and confidentiality are not the same thing. So both are built into every HAI engagement by design. Here’s what that means in practice.
TRUSTED BY INDUSTRY LEADERS:
HOW HAI SAFEGUARDS CONFIDENTIAL DATA
WHAT HAI DOES, AND WHY TRUST IS AT ITS FOUNDATION
At HAI, we refer to Collective Intelligence as the aggregation of member-supplied data into trusted, governed, industry-level insight that no single organization or company can create on its own. It is a living intelligence asset, built through sustained participation, clear governance, and disciplined execution, that transforms what members contribute individually into anonymized, aggregated information that benefits the entire industry.
HAI designs and operates Collective Intelligence programs so associations and their members can see how they compare to the industry as a whole, identify trends before they appear in their own data, answer industry-wide questions that cannot be solved in isolation, and advocate with credible, industry-sourced evidence.
Over time, collective intelligence becomes a strategic resource, supporting better decisions, and increased association value. But it only works when members contribute their data. That willingness depends entirely on confidence in how their information is handled and protected.
DATA CONFIDENTIALITY
SECURITY AND CONFIDENTIALITY ARE EQUALLY
IMPORTANT DISCIPLINES
HAI places equal emphasis on information security and data confidentiality. Security governs how data is protected at the platform and operational level. Confidentiality governs how member data is used, aggregated, and released within the program. Both are essential and built into every HAI-backed program by design.
For associations evaluating a data program partner, security credentials matter. HAI makes the credentials and the operational discipline behind them available as part of any evaluation conversation. Below you can find out about how HAI approaches data confidentiality and information security, and why both are part of our DNA.
THE FOUNDATION THAT MAKES OUR
DATA PROGRAMS POSSIBLE
Association data programs are built on a straightforward exchange: member companies contribute information about their operations, and in return they receive aggregated, anonymized industry-level intelligence they could not generate on their own. That exchange depends on every participant having complete confidence in how their data is handled and protected.
Data confidentiality is the core design principle of data exchange programs. Every decision associations make about program structure, governance, and delivery starts there.
WHAT MEMBERS CONTRIBUTE
AGREED UPON INDUSTRY METRICS
Members contribute agreed-upon industry metrics, defined in advance by the program’s governance structure. What they receive in return is aggregated, anonymized benchmarking data. Company-level submissions are kept confidential in our proprietary systems which are custom-built to collect the data and designed to enforce the aggregation rules established by the association and its legal counsel before a program launches. Programs are governed by program participants, and HAI applies those rules consistently throughout its operation.
THE ROLE OF A NEUTRAL THIRD PARTY
AN INDEPENDENT DATA STEWARD
HAI operates as an independent data steward, separate from the competitive dynamics that exist within any industry. As such, the policies and procedures set by the association and guided by its legal counsel to govern data collection, aggregation, and release are applied by a data processing expert with no stake in any individual member’s outcome. That independence reduces antitrust exposure for the association and its members, giving every participant confidence that the data is kept confidential by a neutral third party. Clear role separation across association leadership, member governance, and third-party operation creates the trust that sustains long-term participation.
A compliant governance framework sets the program’s policies and procedures before any data is collected: what is submitted, how it is used, who can access outputs, and under what conditions insights are released. These are the documented rules of the program, visible to all participants and governed by them after the program is established. HAI is a partner in governance as it applies those rules to its systems and processes intended to support compliance with an association’s legal guidance. This mechanism is the backbone of trust and makes participation possible.
When members understand exactly how their information is protected and see those protections upheld in practice, participation grows. That participation is what the program’s value depends on.
HOW PROGRAMS ARE BUILT
TRUSTED, ESTABLISHED IN PHASES
HAI uses a phased approach to program development. It begins with a data discovery process, consensus building, legal consultation by the association, establishment of policies and procedures, and a proof of concept. All of this is done before building and launching an ongoing, full-scale program. Starting with a defined scope, a founding group of stakeholders, and clear protections in place, allows the program to demonstrate its confidentiality commitments through execution.
For associations considering a data program, it’s important to work with a partner that has confidentiality in its DNA. That is where every HAI engagement begins.
WHAT IT MAKES POSSIBLE
MEASURABLE PROGRAM VALUE
When confidentiality is built into program design rather than added as a control, the outcomes are measurable: higher participation rates, better data quality, stronger long-term member engagement, and enhanced strategic relevance for the association.
INFORMATION SECURITY
HOW WE PROTECT INDUSTRY DATA AT EVERY STAGE
Before any association commits to a data program, its board, legal counsel, and member leadership need confidence in how their information is protected. Robust information security provides that confidence, and it delivers something beyond assurance: it reduces reputational and operational risk while enabling the higher participation rates that make collective intelligence programs sustainable and valuable.
Information security at HAI is designed into our platforms, our systems, and our daily operations.
PURPOSE-BUILT PLATFORMS
HAI’s platforms are built specifically for the collection, validation, and delivery of industry data. Access is controlled through identity management and role-based permissions designed to limit access to authorized users based on defined roles. A least-privilege philosophy governs daily operations: every user accesses only what their role requires.
ALIGNMENT WITH RECOGNIZED FRAMEWORKS
HAI aligns its security practices with recognized industry frameworks such as NIST CSF and SOC2 principles where applicable, covering access control, asset management, incident response, and risk mitigation. We are transparent about our security principles and governance. We are also deliberate about what we do not disclose, where transparency itself could introduce risk.
HAI’s information security program is designed not only to establish strong controls, but to continuously monitor, identify, and address emerging risks as part of ongoing operations, consistent with commercially reasonable practices.
Key aspects of this approach include independent, third-party management, subject to their operational controls, of:
⏺ Data Encryption at Rest and In Transit
⏺ Vulnerability Management Program
⏺ Formal Risk Management process with tracked remediation
⏺ Access Logging and Audit Trails
⏺ Ongoing security training and threat awareness for staff, managed by a third party
⏺ Quarterly Testing and Review of Disaster recovery and business continuity plans
⏺ SOC Service with Layered threat monitoring of networks, endpoints, and applications
ON-GOING ASSESSMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Information security is a core priority at HAI and is embedded in how the company designs and operates its data programs. As a trusted steward of sensitive industry data, HAI engages an independent security firm each year to conduct a comprehensive, third‑party assessment of its information security program.
The results of this annual assessment consistently demonstrate that HAI maintains a strong, well‑managed security posture that is aligned with recognized industry standards, including NIST Standards for organizational risk.
Most importantly, the assessment confirms that HAI’s approach to security is:
COMPREHENSIVE
Controls in place across governance, physical security, and technical systems
DISCIPLINED
Supported by clearly defined policies, procedures, training, and accountability
BALANCED
Addressing both human and technology-driven aspects of security
CONTINUOUSLY IMPROVING
With a structured approach to identifying and addressing risks over time
Our third‑party benchmarking further demonstrates that HAI operates with lower overall information security risk than comparable organizations, reinforcing our reputation as a trusted partner.
For HAI clients and their members, these assessments provide assurance: sensitive data is handled within a structured and professionally managed security framework that is designed to prioritize protection, consistency, and long‑term trust consistent with industry standards.
Strong security is what makes sustained member participation possible. When members trust that their data is protected, they participate fully and contribute consistently, and the collective intelligence the program produces becomes more valuable to everyone.
CREDENTIALS AND COMPLIANCE
DOCUMENTATION FOR COMPLIANCE, LEGAL, AND PROCUREMENT TEAMS
This section is reserved for HAI's specific credentials and compliance documentation. Once confirmed, this becomes the page compliance and procurement teams reference directly during evaluation.
SOC 2 TYPE II
Awaiting Confirmation
NIST CSF ALIGNMENT
Awaiting Confirmation
DISASTER RECOVERY
Confirm Details
THIRD-PARTY ASSESSOR
Name Needed
AUDIT TRAIL ACCESS
Confirm Process
SSO / MFA SUPPORT
Confirm Details
QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR
SECURITY PRACTICES?
For associations evaluating a data program partner, HAI makes credentials
and operational discipline available as part of any evaluation conversation.