How It Works
The GUARD Protocol maps directly to NIST AI RMF and OMB M-25-21 requirements. Three integrated phases -- Govern and Understand, Assess and Run, Document and Report -- ensure every AI-driven decision in your program has the human oversight, validation, and audit trail that federal law demands.
The Five Phases
The Guard Protocol
G -- Govern: Establish accountability structures and define roles for AI oversight. Identify who owns each AI system, who reviews outputs, and who reports to leadership.
U -- Understand: Map every AI-driven decision point in your workflow. Identify where human review is required and where automated outputs need validation before action is taken.
A -- Assess: Evaluate AI model performance for bias, accuracy, and compliance against federal standards. Test outputs against known outcomes before relying on them in production.
R -- Run: Deploy trained analysts to review and override AI outputs in real-time operations. This is the human-in-the-loop layer that federal law requires for high-impact AI systems.
D -- Document: Generate OIG-ready documentation and audit trails that prove compliance before the audit begins. Every decision, override, and validation is recorded and traceable.
