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 crafting content and managing customer interactions to drafting emails, summarizing meetings, and even assisting with coding or spreadsheet tasks, AI is becoming indispensable.
AI can dramatically boost your productivity and save valuable time. However, without proper safeguards, this powerful technology can also introduce significant risks, particularly concerning your company's data security.
Even small businesses face these dangers.
Understanding the Core Issue
The challenge isn’t the AI itself—it’s how it’s used. When employees input sensitive information into public AI platforms, that data might be stored, analyzed, or even utilized to train future AI models. This can inadvertently expose confidential or regulated information without anyone realizing the breach.
For example, in 2023, Samsung engineers accidentally leaked internal source code into ChatGPT. The incident was so serious that Samsung banned public AI tools company-wide, as reported by Tom's Hardware.
Now imagine a similar scenario in your workplace—an employee pastes client financial records or medical information into ChatGPT seeking a quick summary, unaware of the risks. In moments, sensitive data could be compromised.
Emerging Danger: Prompt Injection Attacks
Beyond accidental leaks, cybercriminals have developed a sophisticated tactic called prompt injection. They embed harmful instructions within emails, transcripts, PDFs, or even YouTube captions. When AI tools process this content, they can be manipulated into revealing sensitive data or performing unauthorized actions.
In essence, the AI becomes an unwitting accomplice to the attacker.
Why Small Businesses Are Especially at Risk
Many small businesses lack oversight on AI usage. Employees often adopt new AI tools independently, usually with good intentions but without clear guidelines. Many mistakenly treat AI like a smarter search engine, unaware that their inputs might be permanently stored or accessible to others.
Moreover, few businesses have established policies or training programs to guide safe AI use.
Take Control: Four Essential Steps
You don’t have to eliminate AI from your operations, but you must manage it wisely.
Start with these four critical actions:
1. Develop a clear AI usage policy.
Specify which AI tools are authorized, identify data types that must never be shared, and designate a point of contact for questions.
2. Educate your team.
Ensure your employees understand the risks of public AI tools and how threats like prompt injection operate.
3. Adopt secure AI platforms.
Encourage use of enterprise-grade solutions like Microsoft Copilot, which provide enhanced data privacy and compliance features.
4. Monitor AI activity closely.
Keep track of AI tools in use and consider restricting access to public AI platforms on company devices if necessary.
Your Path Forward
AI is an invaluable asset for modern businesses, but only if used responsibly. Companies that proactively safeguard their data and educate their teams will thrive, while those ignoring these risks could face serious security breaches or compliance issues. Just a few careless keystrokes might expose your business to hackers or costly violations.
Let's discuss how to secure your AI practices without hindering your team's efficiency. We’ll help you craft a smart, secure AI policy tailored to your needs. Contact us at 817-277-1001 or click here to schedule your 15-Minute Discovery Call today.
