Company
CertiK Research
Founded in 2018 by professors from Columbia and Yale, CertiK stands at the forefront of blockchain and Web3 security, pioneering advancements in Formal Verification and AI-driven technologies to safeguard blockchains, smart contracts, and decentralized applications.
Focus areas
Driving innovation in security
The CertiK research department is composed of a highly specialized team of researchers and engineers, combining expertise from prestigious academic institutions, including Yale, Georgia Tech, Tsinghua, and Peking University, with industry veterans from Microsoft, Samsung, and Intel.
Advancing security innovation
This dedicated team is at the cutting edge of security research, advancing core areas of formal verification, cryptographic integrity, and zero-knowledge proof systems.Comprehensive research
The research department's work spans blockchain security, smart contract verification, and system security, covering critical domains like Mobile Systems, Trusted Execution Environments, and Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks.Practical security solutions
The team's focus is not only on theoretical advancements but also on implementing practical solutions that elevate security standards in these high-stakes areas.
Publications
Academic contributions
Our team members are highly active in academia, contributing over 230 peer-reviewed publications to premier venues
- S&P
- IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy
- CCS
- ACM Conference on Computer and Communications Security
- TIFS
- IEEE Transactions on Information Forensics and Security
- NDSS
- Network and Distributed System Security Symposium
- ASPLOS
- Architectural Support for Programming Languages and Operating Systems
- PACMPL
- Proceedings of the ACM on Programming Languages
With a citation count surpassing 8,600, their research contributions are widely recognized and cited, demonstrating the impact on advancing knowledge in computer security.
Spotlights
Industry impact
Beyond academic contributions, our team members have a profound influence in the technology and blockchain industries. They have identified over 200 critical vulnerabilities, which have been acknowledged by major tech leaders, including Google, Apple, Microsoft, Samsung, Qualcomm, and Adobe, as well as prominent blockchain ecosystems such as OKX, SUI, and Wormhole. These findings have set new standards in security, reinforcing our commitment to creating safer, more resilient systems across industries.
Our researchers' expertise and insights are also showcased at major industry conferences, such as BlackHat, DEFCON, HITB, POC, and CanSecWest, where they share groundbreaking findings with the global security community. This engagement not only underscores CertiK's position as a thought leader but also strengthens its role in shaping the future of cybersecurity standards.
- DisclosureAppleApple iOS 17 security update credits CertiKCertiK was recognized again in Apple's iOS 17 Security Update of three critical security vulnerabilities in Apple's iOS kernel. (opens in a new tab)
- DisclosureSamsung Mobile SecuritySamsung acknowledges CertiK for mobile blockchain securitySamsung has acknowledged CertiK's contributions to significantly enhancing the security of its mobile blockchain solutions. (opens in a new tab)
- ArticleOKXCertiK and OKX establish a security frameworkCertiK and OKX partner to enhance security across OKX's ecosystem, boosting trust and setting new security standards. (opens in a new tab)
- DisclosureSui$600k Sui bug bounty for the Hamsterwheel vulnerabilityCertiK earned Sui's top bug bounty of $600k for uncovering a critical vulnerability that had the potential to shut down the network.
- DisclosureLedger DonjonCertiK researcher inducted into Ledger Donjon Hall of FameLedger inducts CertiK researcher into Hall of Fame, honoring discovery that enhances Ledger’s industry-leading wallet security. (opens in a new tab)
- PaperASPLOS 2024Formal verification of HyperEnclave accepted at ASPLOS'24CertiK has successfully completed the formal verification of HyperEnclave’s core components, the paper accepted by ASPLOS'24.
Outlook
Leading the evolution of security research for Web3 and beyond
As a recognized leader in the field, CertiK's mission is to establish resilient standards across the rapidly evolving Web3 landscape, ensuring that emerging technologies are secure and reliable for global adoption.
Through a powerful blend of academic rigor and industry acumen, CertiK's research department continues to drive transformative solutions to meet the complex security challenges of blockchain and emerging technologies. With our focus on applied research and a proven record of impactful discoveries, CertiK's research team stands as a leading force in advancing cybersecurity for Web3 and beyond.