Our Methodology

A transparent, repeatable security process built on industry-leading tools and frameworks. Every engagement follows the same rigorous standard.

SEAL Framework Alignment

Our methodology aligns with the Security Alliance (SEAL) frameworks, the emerging industry standard for Web3 security. We map every engagement to the relevant SEAL domains to ensure comprehensive coverage.

The 4-Phase Audit Process

01

Static Analysis + AI Review

Automated detection of known vulnerability patterns, code quality issues, and gas optimizations, augmented by AI review using custom skills and domain-specific models to surface deeper issues across the codebase.

Tools
Slither, Aderyn, AI-assisted analysis
Output
Baseline findings report, false positive triage, AI-flagged risk areas
02

Manual Code Review

Business logic, access control, economic attacks, cross-contract interactions, oracle manipulation, reentrancy, front-running.

Tools
Senior-only review, minimum two auditors
Output
Detailed findings with PoC exploits where applicable
03

Fuzzing & Invariant TestingPremium

Stateful fuzzing and property-based testing against the invariants the manual review surfaced. Reserved for protocols where reasoning alone is not enough: complex math (AMM curves, interest accrual, exchange rates, share accounting) and novel designs with no battle-tested reference implementation.

Tools
Foundry invariants, Echidna, Medusa, Trident
Output
Custom fuzz harnesses, invariant suites, failing sequences for identified issues
04

Fix Verification

Every finding is re-checked against the client fix: the original attack path is replayed, the surrounding code is reviewed for regressions, and any harness from the previous phase is re-run.

Tools
Senior-only re-review of the remediation diff
Output
Per-finding fix status and the final report
Optional add-on

SpecSiege audit contest

A public double-check of the institutional audit. After the four phases close, the codebase is opened to a contest capped at 50 researchers, selected by CODESPECT from the applicant pool rather than thrown open to anyone who registers. A curated field keeps the signal high and the duplicate noise low, while still putting many independent adversaries on the same code. Best for protocols that want a second, wider opinion before mainnet.

Format
Up to 50 selected researchers, fixed-window contest, severity-weighted pot
Output
Published contest results and severity-rated findings on top of the audit report
See SpecSiege →

Beyond Smart Contracts

Our methodology extends across all five service pillars

ServiceKey Frameworks
Web3 SecuritySEAL Security Testing, External Security Reviews
Penetration TestingOWASP, PTES, SEAL Infrastructure
AI HackingOWASP LLM Top 10, MITRE ATLAS, Google SAIF
Red TeamingSEAL OpSec, Awareness
Operations SecuritySEAL OpSec, Multisig, Wallet Security

Risk Classification

Severity is determined by combining Likelihood and Impact

Severity LevelImpact: HighImpact: MediumImpact: Low
Likelihood: HighCriticalHighMedium
Likelihood: MediumHighMediumLow
Likelihood: LowMediumLowLow

Impact

High

Substantial loss of assets (more than 10%) within the protocol or significant disruption to the majority of users.

Medium

Losses affect less than 10% globally or impact only a portion of users, but are still considered unacceptable.

Low

Losses may be inconvenient but are manageable: griefing attacks that can be resolved or minor inefficiencies such as gas costs.

Likelihood

High

Very likely to occur: either easy to exploit or difficult but highly incentivized.

Medium

Likely only under certain conditions or moderately incentivized.

Low

Unlikely unless specific conditions are met, or there is little-to-no incentive for exploitation.

Action Required

Critical

Must be addressed immediately if already deployed.

High

Must be resolved before deployment (or urgently if already deployed).

Medium

It is recommended to fix.

Low

Can be fixed if desired but is not crucial.

Informational

Do not pose a direct security risk but provide useful information the audit team wants to communicate formally.

Best Practice

Indicate that certain portions of the code deviate from established smart contract development standards.

Transparency Guarantee

Daily progress updates during every engagement

No black-box processes

Full PoC exploits for all Critical and High findings

Fix verification included at no additional cost

Published audit reports (with client approval)

See our methodology in action

Browse our published audit reports or get a free 30-minute assessment.