AI is transforming the way people work. Tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot are allowing teams to generate ideas, create reports, write code and uncover insights faster than ever before. AI innovation is unlocking new levels of productivity within businesses.
Although there are a number of benefits, there’s also new risks, particularly when it comes to data privacy. Many organisations are discovering that employees (often with the best intentions), may be putting sensitive or confidential information into public AI tools. This is a major risk because without proper controls in place, organisations are at risk of data leakage and compliance violations.
In this blog, we take a look at the risks of sharing sensitive data and how to find the right balance of boosting productivity whilst protecting data.
Large Language Models (LLMs) are trained to generate responses by analysing huge datasets, including the prompts users feed into them. So, when employees copy and paste internal documents, source code or customer information into AI platforms to get quick answers, they may inadvertently be sharing sensitive company data outside of secure boundaries.
AI platforms may process requests through shared infrastructure which logs or stores data temporarily. Depending on the platform’s policies, this data could potentially be retained, reviewed or used to retrain the model. In the worst-case scenario, the confidential information inputted could be exposed or repurposed in ways out of your control.
What employees are doing isn’t malicious, in many cases, employees simply just don’t realise the risks. This kind of accidental data egress is a form of insider risk and is a growing concern for IT and security leaders - especially in highly regulated industries.
So, what can be done? Shutting down AI tools completely isn’t the answer and organisations that try to block AI use across the board may end up stifling innovation and frustrating employees who are simply trying to be more efficient. The smart approach is to use AI while ensuring safeguards are in place to control what data is shared and where.
Here’s four steps companies can take to strike the right balance between productivity and protection:
FortiDLP is a comprehensive data protection solution that offers visibility and control over how data moves across your organisation - whether it’s on endpoints, within cloud apps or across your network. FortiDLP uses policy-driven controls to stop sensitive data from being shared improperly.
FortiDLP allows businesses to:
We know that AI can be a powerful tool, but to fully benefit from it, organisations must be proactive about protecting their data. With the right combination of technology, education and policy, it’s possible to benefit from AI tools and increase productivity without compromising on security.
Here at Brigantia, we offer a range of cybersecurity tools to support businesses of all shapes and sizes with their online security.
Chat to our team today about how FortiDLP can protect employees’ AI usage and help prioritise data security, all whilst boosting team productivity.