Toward Secure and Compliant AI: Organizational Standards and Protocols for NLP Model Lifecycle Management

TL;DR

This paper presents a comprehensive framework for managing the security, privacy, and compliance of NLP systems throughout their lifecycle, addressing risks in sensitive domains with a systematic, standards-aligned approach.

Contribution

Introduces the SC-NLP-LMF, a six-phase lifecycle management framework for secure, compliant NLP deployment, integrating existing standards and methods based on systematic review.

Findings

Framework aligns with leading standards like NIST and ISO

Case study demonstrates detection of terminology drift in healthcare NLP

Provides practical guidance for secure NLP system management

Abstract

Natural Language Processing (NLP) systems are increasingly used in sensitive domains such as healthcare, finance, and government, where they handle large volumes of personal and regulated data. However, these systems introduce distinct risks related to security, privacy, and regulatory compliance that are not fully addressed by existing AI governance frameworks. This paper introduces the Secure and Compliant NLP Lifecycle Management Framework (SC-NLP-LMF), a comprehensive six-phase model designed to ensure the secure operation of NLP systems from development to retirement. The framework, developed through a systematic PRISMA-based review of 45 peer-reviewed and regulatory sources, aligns with leading standards, including NIST AI RMF, ISO/IEC 42001:2023, the EU AI Act, and MITRE ATLAS. It integrates established methods for bias detection, privacy protection (differential privacy, federated learning), secure deployment, explainability, and secure model decommissioning. A healthcare case study illustrates how SC-NLP-LMF detects emerging terminology drift (e.g., COVID-related language) and guides compliant model updates. The framework offers organizations a practical, lifecycle-wide structure for developing, deploying, and maintaining secure and accountable NLP systems in high-risk environments.