Editorial Independence Policy
USIAIS is a for-profit research and advisory organization. We generate revenue from advisory services, consulting engagements, certification fees, and corporate membership.
This policy describes how we maintain editorial independence from the organizations that pay us.
- 01
Research and publications.
Our published research, opinion pieces, and public commentary are determined solely by USIAIS. No member, client, advisor, board member, or sponsor has the right to review, approve, modify, or prevent the publication of any USIAIS content prior to its release.
- 02
Certification.
Assessment outcomes are determined solely by USIAIS staff applying our published methodology. Payment for an assessment does not entitle a client to a passing grade. Companies and products may, and do, receive failing grades.
- 03
Membership.
Corporate membership in USIAIS provides operational support to our work. Membership does not confer any right to influence research, certification outcomes, or public commentary. Members are publicly disclosed on this website.
- 04
Advisory services.
Engagements with advisory and consulting clients are private. Information learned in the course of an advisory engagement is treated as confidential and is not used in published research without explicit client consent or appropriate generalization.
- 05
Disclosure.
When a USIAIS publication concerns a topic, industry, or organization with which we have a financial relationship, that relationship is disclosed in the publication.
- 06
Conflicts.
USIAIS will decline engagements, memberships, or other relationships that we judge would compromise the integrity of our research or assessment work.
This policy is reviewed annually and updated as needed.