Automated Proof Bundles vs Manual Audit Evidence
Most enterprises collect AI compliance evidence the same way they collect SOX evidence: manually. Spreadsheets, screenshots, and "trust me" emails. Claw EA replaces that with cryptographic proof bundles generated automatically on every run.
Head-to-Head
| Dimension | Claw EA | Manual audit evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Evidence format | Signed JSON proof bundles (Ed25519) | Spreadsheets, screenshots, email threads |
| Tamper detection | SHA-256 hash chain + Merkle root | None; files are mutable |
| Verification | Offline deterministic (any party) | Manual review by auditor |
| Collection effort | Automatic per run (zero marginal cost) | Hours of manual work per control |
| Retention | Append-only transparency log | Shared drive with version conflicts |
| Third-party verifiable | Yes (public key + proof bundle) | No (trust the sender) |
| Coverage gap detection | Explicit coverage matrix (M/MT/MTS) | Unknown until audit |
The Core Problem
Manual evidence collection does not scale to autonomous agents. An agent that runs 50 workflows per day generates 50 evidence collection tasks. Each task requires a human to screenshot, export, annotate, and file the evidence. Within a month, the evidence backlog exceeds the team's capacity, and gaps appear.
Proof bundles solve this by making evidence generation a side effect of execution. Every model call produces a gateway receipt. Every tool invocation produces a hashed event. The bundle is signed and sealed automatically. Zero marginal cost per run.
When Manual Evidence Still Makes Sense
Manual collection is appropriate for one-off assessments, governance reviews that require human judgment, and situations where agent tooling is not yet deployed. If you run fewer than 5 agent workflows per week, the overhead of proof infrastructure may not be justified yet.
The transition path: start with one workflow on proof bundles (a production deploy approval is the most common starting point), then expand as evidence volume grows.
Offline Verification
The key differentiator is third-party verifiability. A proof bundle can be verified by your auditor, your customer, or a regulator without calling any Claw API. They need only the agent's public key and the bundle JSON. Manual evidence requires trusting the person who collected it.
See the full technical breakdown in the Security Review Pack.