ChatGPT-maker OpenAI has overhauled its security operations to protect its valuable intellectual property from corporate espionage , a report has said. These enhanced measures come amid claims of the artificial intelligence (AI) giant being targeted by Chinese rivals like DeepSeek that garnered significant attention in early 2025 for its high-performing and cost-effective AI models, particularly its chatbot (DeepSeek-V3) and reasoning model (DeepSeek-R1).
Citing sources close to the organisation, a report by The Financial Times claims that OpenAI began bolstering its security last year, the urgency intensified after Chinese AI startup DeepSeek released a rival model in January.
Why OpenAI is tightening security of its data
OpenAI claimed that DeepSeek had improperly copied its models using a technique known as "distillation" to create their AI system – an incident “prompted OpenAI to be much more rigorous,” said one person close to its security team. The company is said to be “aggressively” expanding its security personnel and practices, including its cybersecurity teams.
How OpenAI is tightening security
The company has implemented stricter controls on sensitive information and enhanced staff vetting in recent months.
Stricter policies, known as information "tenting," have been in place at their San Francisco offices since last summer. These policies significantly reduce the number of people who can access crucial information about technologies like algorithms and new products.
For instance, during the development of their "Strawberry" (codenamed o1) model, staff had to confirm that other employees were part of the "Strawberry tent" before discussing the project in communal areas.
Last October, the company hired Dane Stuckey as its new chief information security officer, who works alongside Matt Knight, OpenAI's vice-president of security products. Knight has been developing ways to leverage OpenAI’s large language models to enhance its defenses against cyberattacks.
Retired US Army General Paul Nakasone has also been appointed to OpenAI's board last year to help oversee its cybersecurity defenses.
Citing sources close to the organisation, a report by The Financial Times claims that OpenAI began bolstering its security last year, the urgency intensified after Chinese AI startup DeepSeek released a rival model in January.
Why OpenAI is tightening security of its data
OpenAI claimed that DeepSeek had improperly copied its models using a technique known as "distillation" to create their AI system – an incident “prompted OpenAI to be much more rigorous,” said one person close to its security team. The company is said to be “aggressively” expanding its security personnel and practices, including its cybersecurity teams.
How OpenAI is tightening security
The company has implemented stricter controls on sensitive information and enhanced staff vetting in recent months.
Stricter policies, known as information "tenting," have been in place at their San Francisco offices since last summer. These policies significantly reduce the number of people who can access crucial information about technologies like algorithms and new products.
For instance, during the development of their "Strawberry" (codenamed o1) model, staff had to confirm that other employees were part of the "Strawberry tent" before discussing the project in communal areas.
Last October, the company hired Dane Stuckey as its new chief information security officer, who works alongside Matt Knight, OpenAI's vice-president of security products. Knight has been developing ways to leverage OpenAI’s large language models to enhance its defenses against cyberattacks.
Retired US Army General Paul Nakasone has also been appointed to OpenAI's board last year to help oversee its cybersecurity defenses.
You may also like
MP: Congress holds 'Nayay Satyagraha' against Jitu Patwari's FIR
'I was spiked by my best friend - it made me an alcoholic at 23'
Explainer: All you need to know about Special Intensive Revision of Bihar electoral rolls
King Charles spotted with bloodshot eye in Macron visit as health condition explained
Diogo Jota: Spanish police make new statement shedding fresh light on tragic car crash
