GRC Protocol – Governance, Risk & Compliance Assurance Framework

Definition:

The GRC Protocol is the institutional governance authority that ensures semantic accountability, liability reduction, identity integrity, evidence permanence and deterministic auditability across the entire Arimetion trust stack. It establishes the oversight, rules and verification structures that align semantic systems with regulatory expectations, risk governance and long-term assurance obligations.

Executive Summary

The GRC Protocol introduces a governance-first approach to AI and semantic systems. It creates a controlled environment where meaning is accountable, identity is permanent, evidence is immutable and audits are verifiable.

The GRC Assurance Chain

The protocol consists of a four-layer assurance framework that ensures traceability, non-repudiation, liability containment and regulatory alignment:

1. Arimetion – Governance of Meaning
Enforces semantic clarity, controlled interpretation and accountability of meaning.

2. A1ID – Identity Integrity & Non-Repudiation
Anchors every semantic object with cryptographic permanence and tamper-proof identity.

3. Stichfest – Immutable Evidence Layer
Preserves time-stamped evidence for compliance, legal integrity and liability management.

4. AuditProof – Assurance & Verification
Automates due diligence, validates integrity and ensures deterministic audit readiness.

Purpose

The GRC Protocol provides a unifying governance framework that integrates semantic controls, identity assurance, evidence management and audit verification. Its purpose is to reduce liability exposure, enforce accountability and strengthen regulatory compliance posture across AI-assisted operations.

Regulatory Alignment

ISO 27001 – Integrity, audit trails, non-repudiation
SOC 2 – Security, availability, processing integrity
DORA – ICT governance, risk reduction, accountability
BAIT / VAIT / MaRisk – Documentation, traceability, control effectiveness
EU AI Act – Transparency, oversight, auditability

The Four Pillars

Arimetion – Governance of Meaning

Establishes semantic intent architecture, interpretation stability and accountability of meaning.

A1ID – Identity Integrity & Non-Repudiation

Provides cryptographic permanence, identity assurance and non-repudiation.

Stichfest – Immutable Evidence Layer

Maintains tamper-proof audit trails, version histories and evidence integrity.

AuditProof – Assurance & Verification

Automates due diligence and provides deterministic, regulator-ready auditability.

GRC Benefits

Liability reduction and risk exposure control
Full accountability of meaning and interpretation
Evidence integrity and immutable audit trails
Deterministic auditability and oversight transparency
Improved compliance posture across all semantic systems