August 25, 2025
The buzz around artificial intelligence (AI) is undeniable—and for good reason. Innovative tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot are revolutionizing how businesses operate. From generating content and handling customer inquiries to drafting emails, summarizing meetings, and even assisting with coding or spreadsheet tasks, AI is transforming workplaces everywhere.
AI can dramatically boost productivity and save valuable time. However, like any potent technology, improper use can lead to significant risks, especially concerning your company's data security.
Even small businesses face these threats.
The Core Issue
The challenge isn’t the AI technology itself, but how it’s applied. When employees input sensitive information into public AI platforms, that data might be stored, analyzed, or used to train future AI models—potentially exposing confidential or regulated information without anyone’s awareness.
In 2023, Samsung engineers accidentally leaked internal source code into ChatGPT, a breach severe enough that Samsung banned public AI tools company-wide, as reported by Tom's Hardware.
Imagine this happening in your office: An employee unknowingly pastes client financial or medical information into ChatGPT seeking a quick summary, inadvertently exposing private data in moments.
Emerging Danger: Prompt Injection
Beyond accidental leaks, cybercriminals are exploiting a sophisticated tactic called prompt injection. They embed harmful commands within emails, transcripts, PDFs, or even YouTube captions. When AI systems process this content, they can be manipulated into revealing sensitive data or performing unauthorized actions.
Essentially, the AI becomes an unwitting accomplice to attackers.
Why Small Businesses Are Particularly at Risk
Many small businesses lack oversight on AI usage. Employees often adopt AI tools independently, with good intentions but without proper guidance. They may mistakenly treat AI like a smarter search engine, unaware that their inputs could be permanently stored or accessed by others.
Moreover, few organizations have established policies or training programs to ensure safe AI use.
Immediate Actions You Can Take
You don’t have to eliminate AI from your operations, but it’s crucial to implement control measures.
Start with these four essential steps:
1. Establish a clear AI usage policy.
Specify which AI tools are authorized, identify data types that must never be shared, and designate contacts for questions.
2. Train your team thoroughly.
Educate employees on the risks of public AI tools and explain threats like prompt injection.
3. Adopt secure, enterprise-grade platforms.
Encourage use of trusted tools like Microsoft Copilot that prioritize data privacy and regulatory compliance.
4. Monitor AI activities closely.
Keep track of AI tools in use and consider restricting access to public AI services on company devices if necessary.
The Bottom Line
AI is an integral part of the future. Businesses that master safe AI use will thrive, while those ignoring its risks jeopardize their security. Just a few careless keystrokes could lead to data breaches, regulatory penalties, or worse.
Let's connect for a quick chat to ensure your AI practices protect your company. We’ll help you craft a robust, secure AI policy and safeguard your data without hindering your team’s efficiency. Call us at 919-741-5468 or click here to schedule your 15-Minute Discovery Call today.
