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§ I · Domain ACT · Control 5 of 9
Control
ACT-05
Edition
v.1.3
Status
Public review

ACT · Action & Tool Use Controls

ACT-05Loop and recursion detection

Loop and recursion detection is implemented, with automatic suspension on suspicious patterns. In multi-agent topologies, MAS-05 extends detection across agents.

Loops in agent action sequences, repeated tool calls, circular reasoning patterns, unbounded retries, are detected and trigger automatic suspension. In multi-agent topologies, MAS-05 extends detection across agent boundaries. This control prevents runaway agents from consuming resources, taking repeated actions, or entering infinite loops that bypass rate limits through creative variation.

Table ACT-05.1 · Maturity criteria · v.1.3

L1 to L5 · the lowest level in scope caps the agent
L1Ad hoc

Controls exist informally; documentation is incomplete; no consistent review.

L2Documented

Controls are written down; ownership is assigned; review cadence is defined.

L3Operated

Controls are followed in practice; evidence is collected; deviations are tracked.

Loop detection is active for all production agents; suspension has been triggered in at least one test or production event; detection patterns are tuned to minimize false positives while catching genuine loops.

L4Measured

Control effectiveness is measured against documented thresholds; trends are reported.

L5Continuously Improved

Controls evolve based on incident learning; maturity gains are evidenced over time.

The v1.3 edition publishes a control-specific criterion at L3 (Operated). The other levels apply the general ladder to this control; see the maturity ladder.

Evidence an assessor asks for

  1. E.1

    Loop detection is active for all production agents.

  2. E.2

    Suspension has been triggered in at least one test or production event.

  3. E.3

    Detection patterns are tuned to minimize false positives while catching genuine loops.

Table ACT-05.2 · Framework mappings

6 of 7 frameworks carry a control-level reference
NIST AI RMFMANAGE 2.2NIST AI Risk Management Framework 1.0
ISO/IEC 42001·ISO/IEC 42001:2023 · Artificial intelligence management system
OWASP LLM Top 10LLM06OWASP Top 10 for Large Language Model Applications
SOC 2 (TSC)CC7.2AICPA Trust Services Criteria for SOC 2 Type II
EU AI ActArt. 15(3)EU AI Act · Regulation (EU) 2024/1689
MITRE ATLASExecutionMITRE ATLAS · Adversarial Threat Landscape for AI Systems
SingaporeMAIGF Operations ManagementSingapore Model AI Governance Framework / AI Verify / PDPA

Mappings are directional: meeting this control evidences but does not by itself satisfy the external requirement. A middle dot means no control-level reference is published at this edition; see the crosswalk.

Related controls and terms

Cite this control

Human Intelligence. HI-AAF v1.3, ACT-05 Loop and recursion detection. Public review edition, July 2026. https://humanintel.net/standard/act/act-05

Edition v.1.3 · July 2026 · Public review · Markdown · PDF

https://humanintel.net/standard/act/act-05

Notice

HI-AAF v1.3 is an independent framework published by Human Intelligence. It is not affiliated with NIST, ISO, AICPA, or any government or accreditation body. The framework is offered openly for review during the current draft cycle.