KERV.ai wins top TPN Gold Star security certification

KERV.ai has received Trusted Partner Network Gold Star certification and says it is the first AI video technology platform focused on contextual commerce to reach that level.

Administered by the Motion Picture Association, the Trusted Partner Network sets content security standards for the media and entertainment industry. Gold Star is the highest tier in TPN's four-level model, above Blue, Silver and Gold.

For KERV.ai, the announcement centres on security and privacy controls around its work with premium video content, audience information, advertising data and performance data. The designation followed an independent assessment testing how organisations protect content, data and digital workflows across the media supply chain.

The move comes as media groups and publishers rely more heavily on cloud-based systems, AI tools and advertising formats tied more closely to video content. In that environment, suppliers handling valuable media assets face greater scrutiny over access management, data protection and internal controls.

Based in Austin, KERV.ai works in video analysis, monetisation and contextual commerce. Its platform processes both live and on-demand video, and as its work across premium content has grown, security has become a central issue in customer and partner relationships.

KERV.ai described the certification as the result of a three-year internal effort. Teams across Engineering, IT, Product, Operations, HR, Finance and Corporate Security worked to tighten controls, document processes and complete the review required for top-level status.

Security focus

Under the TPN framework, Gold Star status requires full completion of best practice and additional recommendation requirements. KERV.ai said the standard gives content owners, publishers and advertisers added assurance when working with a vendor that handles sensitive media assets and related commercial data.

The company also argued that recognised certification can reduce the burden of separate security reviews during commercial discussions. That matters in a market where ad technology, commerce tools and interactive formats are increasingly placed alongside premium programming and film content.

Gary Mittman, Chief Executive Officer at KERV.ai, linked the certification to the company's broader commercial strategy and its relationships with media owners and brands.

"Trust is the foundation of every partnership we cultivate at KERV.ai. Innovation shouldn't require a tradeoff with that trust. As we expand our Moment Match Engine and deepen direct partnerships across premium supply, we're creating more opportunities for brands and media owners to activate against the moments that matter most. Achieving TPN Gold Star status provides independent validation of the security standards we've built into our business and gives clients and partners greater confidence to unlock the full value of moment-based contextual targeting with a technology partner built to protect premium content. As we scale, we'll continue investing in the security, privacy, and compliance standards that enable our partners to innovate with confidence," Mittman said.

The certification highlights a broader shift in the advertising and media technology market. Vendors are no longer judged only on product features or revenue potential, but also on whether they can meet strict operational standards set by film studios, streaming groups and other premium content owners.

That is particularly relevant for companies whose tools sit close to copyrighted material or process information tied to audience behaviour and campaign performance. Security failures in that chain can affect not just a single vendor, but also publishers, rights holders and advertisers working across the same content environment.

KERV.ai said the assessment validates the way security is built into its business operations rather than treated as a standalone compliance exercise. It framed the outcome as a way to support growth in commerce-enabled advertising and contextual targeting without weakening safeguards around premium media.

Its business focuses on analysing video frame by frame to identify objects and match them with relevant advertising experiences. That places the company at the intersection of advertising technology, media operations and data handling, where certification can influence procurement decisions by large partners.

The TPN designation may also help KERV.ai as competition grows among vendors seeking closer ties with major publishers, broadcasters and streaming services. In those sectors, external security accreditation has become a practical requirement for firms that want to work with sensitive content libraries and related commercial systems.

KERV.ai said the Gold Star award reflects a company-wide investment in security, privacy and operational discipline over three years.