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 transforming how businesses operate, enabling content creation, customer interaction, email drafting, meeting summarization, and even coding or spreadsheet assistance.
AI can dramatically boost efficiency and save valuable time. However, like any advanced technology, improper use can lead to significant risks, especially concerning your company's data security.
Even small businesses face these threats.
Understanding the Risk
The challenge isn’t AI itself but how it’s utilized. When employees input sensitive information into public AI platforms, that data might be stored, analyzed, or even used to train future AI models—potentially exposing confidential or regulated information without anyone realizing it.
For instance, in 2023, Samsung engineers accidentally leaked internal source code into ChatGPT, prompting the company to ban public AI tools entirely, as reported by Tom's Hardware.
Imagine a similar scenario in your workplace—an employee pastes client financials or medical records into ChatGPT seeking a quick summary, unknowingly risking a serious data breach.
Emerging Danger: Prompt Injection Attacks
Beyond accidental disclosures, hackers are exploiting advanced tactics like prompt injection. They embed malicious commands within emails, transcripts, PDFs, or even YouTube captions. When AI systems process this content, they can be manipulated into revealing sensitive information or performing unauthorized actions.
In essence, the AI unwittingly becomes an 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 proper guidance. There's a common misconception that AI tools function like enhanced search engines, unaware that shared data might be permanently stored or accessed by others.
Additionally, few companies have established AI policies or provide training on safe data handling.
Immediate Actions to Protect Your Business
You don’t have to eliminate AI from your operations; instead, take charge of its safe use.
Start with these four essential steps:
1. Develop a clear AI usage policy.
Specify approved tools, outline what data must remain confidential, and designate a point of contact for questions.
2. Educate your team.
Inform employees about the risks of public AI tools and explain threats like prompt injection.
3. Adopt secure AI platforms.
Encourage the use of enterprise-grade solutions such as Microsoft Copilot that prioritize data privacy and compliance.
4. Monitor AI usage closely.
Keep track of which AI tools are in use and consider restricting access to public platforms on company devices if necessary.
In Conclusion
AI is an invaluable asset for modern businesses, but only when used responsibly. Companies that proactively manage AI risks will thrive, while those who overlook them could face severe consequences—from data breaches to regulatory penalties.
Let's discuss how to safeguard your company’s AI use. We’ll help you craft a robust, secure AI policy and protect your data without hindering your team’s productivity. Call us at 316-867-4566 or click here to schedule your 15-Minute Discovery Call today.
