Could Your Business Be Teaching AI To Breach Its Own Security?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is generating significant buzz, and it's easy to see why. Platforms such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot are becoming increasingly widespread. Companies are leveraging these tools to generate content, handle customer service inquiries, draft emails, recap meetings, and even support tasks involving coding and spreadsheets.

AI has the potential to significantly increase efficiency and save time. However, as with any powerful technology, improper use can lead to major issues, particularly concerning the security of your company's data.

This is a concern even for small businesses.

What’s Really At Stake

The real concern doesn’t lie with the AI tools themselves, but rather with how they’re being used. When staff members input sensitive information into public AI platforms, that data might be retained, examined, or even incorporated into future AI training. As a result, private or regulated information could be unintentionally exposed without the organization’s knowledge.

Back in 2023, Samsung engineers unintentionally shared internal source code with ChatGPT. The incident raised major privacy concerns and led the company to implement a complete ban on public AI tools, according to a report from Tom’s Hardware.

Now imagine a similar situation unfolding at your workplace. An employee, trying to get assistance summarizing, pastes client financial records or medical information into ChatGPT—unaware of the potential consequences. Within moments, sensitive data could be compromised.

An Emerging Risk: Prompt Injection

In addition to unintentional data leaks, cybercriminals are using a more advanced method known as prompt injection. This tactic involves embedding harmful commands within emails, documents, transcripts, or even YouTube captions. When an AI system is used to analyze this content, it can be deceived into revealing confidential information or performing unauthorized actions.

Simply put, the AI unknowingly assists the attacker, unaware that it’s being controlled or misled.

Why Small Businesses Are At Greater Risk

In many small businesses, AI usage goes largely unmonitored. Employees often start using these tools independently, usually with positive intentions but little direction. There’s a common misconception that AI platforms are simply more advanced versions of a search engine like Google. What they don’t realize is that anything they input might be stored indefinitely or accessed by others.

Additionally, most organizations lack formal policies to govern AI use or to educate staff on what information is safe to share.

How To Take Action Immediately

It’s not necessary to completely eliminate AI tools from your workplace, but it is essential to manage their use responsibly.

Here are four initial steps you can take:

1. Establish clear guidelines for AI use.
   Set rules around which AI tools are permitted, outline the types of information that must remain confidential, and identify a point of contact for any questions or concerns.
2. Train your employees.
   Educate your team about the potential dangers of using public AI tools, including how advanced threats like prompt injection can occur.
3. Choose secure, enterprise-level solutions.
   Promote the use of trusted, business-focused AI platforms such as Microsoft Copilot, which provide better safeguards for data privacy and regulatory compliance.
4. Keep an Eye on AI Activity
   Monitor how AI tools are being used within your organization, and consider restricting access to public platforms on company-owned devices when necessary.

Final Thoughts

AI is becoming a permanent part of the business landscape. Companies that take the time to use it responsibly will gain valuable advantages, while those that ignore the potential risks could find themselves in serious trouble. It only takes one careless action to open the door to cyberattacks, legal issues, or data breaches.

Let’s connect for a brief conversation to review your current AI practices. We’ll help you create a secure, effective AI strategy that safeguards your data without disrupting your team’s workflow. Schedule your call today.