Artificial intelligence continues to make an impact on the current world of work. Professionals are actively finding ways to incorporate new tools like generative AI into their processes. Decision-makers in the tech industry are reported to embrace AI, with around 89 percent either using the new technology or researching ways to benefit from it.
Unfortunately, AI doesn’t only open doors for innovation—it also creates new challenges related to data privacy and security.
As leaders in the IT industry, how can you mitigate the risks that come with AI usage? This article aims to guide your effort in securing your data in today’s business environment.
Generative AI in the IT Industry
Among the different types of artificial intelligence, generative AI is one of the most useful tools professionals can utilize. It has the power to produce various content, from written forms to visual materials.
Generative AI has gone far beyond being just a fad. Today, it continues to gain traction in the world of work and technology, and it’s just getting started.
Aside from the reported 89 percent of IT professionals using and researching AI, other studies found similar statistics.1 A State of IT Report conducted by Salesforce in 2024 found that 86 percent of IT leaders believe generative AI will become a prominent tool in their organization’s future.2 Meanwhile, 67 percent of professionals plan to prioritize generative AI for more than four incoming business quarters.
Read more: The CIO’s Guide to Avoid AI-Washing – 9 Tips for Vetting AI Vendors and Solutions
New Threats Brought by Generative AI
From generating codes to enhancing systems, generative AI can help IT professionals by automating time-consuming tasks. It has the potential to improve software development by providing data-driven suggestions and identifying bugs early in the development process.
Although AI can offer these benefits and more, it also creates new challenges that professionals haven’t encountered before. Some examples of these are:
Generated Malware
Through programming and training, artificial intelligence can be used to generate large volumes of sophisticated malware. This can make it easy for cybercriminals to evade security systems, as AI is capable of creating software that is harder to detect. AI also makes it easy to generate tailored attacks specific to your networks and systems.
Phishing Scams
Since generative AI is trained to mimic the voice and tone of humans, it gives way to more convincing phishing scams. For example, AI can analyze a target’s writing style and create emails that sound realistic. Generative AI also has the power to use human-like voices that may be similar to the professionals you trust. Criminals can then phish secure information with ease.
Vulnerability Discovery
Analyzing data codes is one of AI’s most useful capabilities, but it can also be used by people with bad intent. The ability to analyze huge datasets can help criminals uncover security vulnerabilities that can be targeted. It could also predict possible vulnerabilities in new systems based on patterns and historical data. This poses a big security risk for your privacy and data.
Best Methods to Mitigate Risks
With the new threats heralded by generative AI models, many people wonder whether cybersecurity is dead. Another way to approach this, however, is to consider that cybersecurity simply needs improvements.
Potential threats brought about by AI tools and AI applications require a proactive approach. Leaders must begin implementing best practices to mitigate privacy and security risks.
If your company has its own software development team, it might be good to embed security controls in the actual model-building process. Other than this, how can you help your business survive these new threats?
The following are some methods you can use:
1. Implement robust data governance frameworks
Securing your data privacy involves implementing a strong data governance framework. This includes creating a specific set of rules that dictates how your organization collects, stores, and uses data. Not only does this guide your people in maintaining data security, but it also helps them be prepared for any threats they may encounter.
When you have clear data governance, it can ensure that only authorized personnel can access sensitive information within your systems. Clear policies and procedures for data handling would help reduce the risk of data breaches and misuse.
For this method, it’s necessary to begin by classifying your data based on sensitivity. Once you’ve organized everything, proceed to create clear roles and responsibilities for data access. Make sure all of these are stated in your frameworks to serve as a basis for your people. Furthermore, you can choose to use other security measures like multi-factor authentication to ensure the identity of those accessing your company’s data.
2. Provide comprehensive employee training
As generative AI models continue to be used worldwide, it’s best to prepare your people for the potential threats they bring. This involves planning and implementing educational programs that provide in-depth discussions of important topics.
From understanding generative AI models and natural language processing tools to the threats of AI-generated content, you need to keep your professionals well-informed. This knowledge can help them easily recognize and respond to security threats.
Remember to cover all important information related to generative AI technology. Include specific programs like how to identify AI phishing attempts and what to do when faced with a threat.
Read more: CIO and CTO Roles Redefined: Technology and Business Prowess Needed
3. Partner with security leaders and experts
Even with all the methods mentioned above, strengthening your security against new threats can be difficult. It requires a level of knowledge and expertise that doesn’t come naturally to a person. This is why one of the most effective ways to battle threats created with generative AI is to find experts knowledgeable in large language models and security.
Although it’s possible to find these experts through your usual hiring and vetting process, it can pose a challenge since many companies are doing the same. What can you do to find the security leaders you need? The key is to find a staffing partner with an extensive network of experts and professionals.
Finding the right partner can provide you with professionals equipped with valuable insights related to generative AI. You can strengthen your security through expert guidance tailored to what your business needs. Moreover, this method can help you save important resources that you can divert to other important projects and processes.
Secure Your Business Amid Generative AI Adoption
Generative AI is revolutionizing IT, yet its proliferation brings heightened data security risks. It is crucial to connect with the right people to safeguard against these challenges. Contact us to learn more about succeeding in today’s tech-driven world.
References:
- Foundry. “AI Priorities Study 2023.” Foundry, 9 Oct 2023, foundryco.com/tools-for-marketers/research-ai-priorities/.
- “3rd Edition State of IT Report.” Salesforce, 2024, www.salesforce.com/resources/research-reports/state-of-it/?d=cta-body-promo-8.
