(Editor’s note: This is the 25th installment of a monthly column on the growing number of cyberthreats facing businesses of all sizes and what they can do about it. See previous installments here.)
Artificial intelligence is transforming the business landscape, and it thrives on our data. The more data it processes and trains on, the better it performs. From streamlining operations to unlocking customer insights, AI promises to be a competitive edge. However, significant risks lurk beneath the surface, such as a risk that may seem a bit counterintuitive: oversharing data with AI systems.
Imagine a day that you are in a vendor presentation. The slick presentation unfolds, showcasing the power of generative AI. It promises to transform your marketing campaigns, streamline your business operations, and unlock all of the hidden customer insights. You are ready to jump in.
Before diving headfirst into the AI pool, take a deep breath and address the colossal risk of oversharing and not protecting your data. Because the very data that fuels the brilliance of AI – customer information, financial records, strategic plans – are also a company's crown jewel that can’t fall into the hands of a competitor or a cybercriminal. Oversharing can lead to very public and painful data leaks, privacy incidents and data breaches.
According to a study by Forbes Advisor, 97% of business owners believe AI will significantly help their business. But a competitor gaining access to your AI-trained marketing strategy could counter your every move. Worse still, a cybercriminal could exploit stolen customer data – a scenario that keeps business leaders like me up at night.
Now, I'm not here to rain on the AI parade. I believe it holds incredible potential to transform businesses and lives. But as a cybersecurity professional, I cannot stress enough the importance of data security in the age of AI. Here's the good news: we're not powerless. There are battle-tested strategies that can help an organization fortify its defenses.
Imagine a system that sets the rules for data access within an organization. Welcome to the world of automated data governance, a critical line of defense against unauthorized access to sensitive information. These protections – combined with data classification, labeling, archiving and retention policies – can help reduce human error and significantly shrink the risk of security and privacy issues. Think of it as having digital sentries around your most valuable assets.
The sheer volume of data in today’s world can be overwhelming. That's why regular risk assessments should be non-negotiable. These practices ensure business continuity and safeguard the investment in AI by minimizing the risks to data. Prevention is always a better business investment than the scramble to pick up the pieces afterward.
Just like any powerful tool, AI is only as strong as the humans using it. That's why training employees on the risks associated with AI and instilling a culture of data security is vital. Educate your teams on company policies regarding data use and how to safely interact with these tools. Empower them to be the first line of defense.
Here's a golden rule for safeguarding data: adopt "zero trust" security. This means having strategies for verifying every user and device, regardless of their position in the company. While on the surface, this may seem daunting, we have some amazing technology on our side. We have tools that act as digital spotlights, lighting up any at-risk, unlabeled data and data repositories. This allows you to identify potential oversharing risks and prioritize mitigation efforts. Tools such as data loss prevention help prevent users from using sensitive data with third-party AI apps. They are a data security net.
The potential risks of oversharing with AI is gaining global recognition. Regulatory bodies are enacting stricter data protection laws, and businesses are embracing "privacy-by-design" principles. Leaders from business, government, cybersecurity professionals and AI developers must work together to create secure and ethical AI ecosystems. Only then can we safely unlock the transformative potential of this technology while protecting the data that fuels its success.
Next month: Critical Infrastructure is being targeted, and attacks are on the rise.
Jason Albuquerque is chief operating officer of Pawtucket-based Envision Technology Advisors LLC. You can reach him through www.envisionsuccess.net.
