Do You Use AI in Your Business?

There is no denying that AI tools can be a big help with daily office tasks such as brainstorming for new or fresh ideas, drafting emails, or summarizing complex records or ideas in a flash. It is also a great way to stay competitive in your market. Yet, despite the conveniences, businesses still face security risks in using AI digital assistants while handling customer data (PII: Personally Identifiable Information). And because every prompt that is entered into AI tools like ChatGPT are used for training purposes to improve their models, you could easily expose your client or company information unwittingly by using them without caution and awareness. As a business owner or manager, it is crucial to prevent a data leak before it becomes a threatening liability.  

A recent real-world example is what happened to Samsung in 2023. In an effort to be more efficient, employees accidentally leaked private data when they pasted it into ChatGPT. The data they put in included source codes for new semiconductors and confidential meeting recordings. The AI model retained the data for training. This was no cyberattack, simply gross human error as a result of no real policy or guardrails for such activities. Samsung then banned the use of generative AI tools by their employees to prevent any future breaches.  

There are things you can do to build a culture of security awareness in your team’s interactions with AI tools: 

1. Policy is key! With all security points in your business, you need to implement a robust policy and make sure it is clearly communicated to all your employees. Training on how AI tools should be used, defining what counts as PII and what data should never be used in public AI models (i.e.: social security numbers, merger discussions, financial or bank records, etc.). Onboarding education and ongoing regular training sessions go a long way in ensuring compliance. Creating a culture of security mindfulness is a priority for your business! 
2. Strictly use dedicated business accounts for any AI tools. Free, public services often have hidden data-handling terms with the main goal of using that data to improve their models. You can upgrade to business tiers for your employees to use; these commercial agreements explicitly state that your data is not used for their training models.  
3. Conduct audits of AI tool usage and logs on a regular basis. All security systems must be monitored for them to be effective. Business tiered accounts provide dashboard for account admins that allow for usage review. Be on the lookout for unusual activity or strange patterns.  

These days, using AI in unavoidable. And the tools it provides really can help with things like boosting efficiency. This is why it is so important to use these powerful tools safely and responsibly and taking the task of training and monitoring so seriously. Tech Eagles is here to make sure your business stays secure, helping you with your defenses and employee training. Give us a call today!