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Is Your AI Strategy Setting You Up For A Data Breach?
The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies has become a crucial part of business operations for many organizations. As companies continue to integrate AI into their services and product offerings, it’s essential to recognize the potential risks associated with this technology.
Unfortunately, a significant proportion of businesses is not adequately addressing these concerns. According to a recent McKinsey Global Survey, nearly two-thirds (65%) of business organizations regularly use generative AI tools today, which is more than double the adoption rate from 2023. Meanwhile, government adoption has also seen a significant surge, with AI adoption rates jumping from 50% in previous years to 72%.
As AI continues to transform industries and revolutionize operations, it’s essential for companies to be aware of the phenomenon of shadow AI. This refers to the unauthorized use of AI tools and technologies within an organization, often bypassing official IT channels and governance structures.
The consequences of this lack of oversight can be severe, including data privacy breaches, intellectual property risks, and compliance challenges. As employees experiment with generative AI tools, they may inadvertently expose sensitive information or create vulnerabilities within the organization’s infrastructure. This underscores the importance of implementing robust oversight mechanisms to monitor and regulate the use of AI technologies.
Implementing an AI council can be a crucial step in this direction. These councils can ensure that AI is deployed responsibly, aligning with the organization’s strategic goals while safeguarding against potential threats. By fostering a culture of transparency and accountability, organizations can harness the transformative power of AI while minimizing the risks associated with shadow AI.
In addition to implementing an AI council, it’s essential for companies to adopt attack surface management (ASM) practices as well. This approach provides comprehensive visibility and control over an organization’s digital ecosystem, helping identify and manage vulnerabilities by continuously monitoring and analyzing IT infrastructure, including SaaS applications, to detect unauthorized access, shadow IT, and compliance issues.
As AI technologies are integrated into business operations, they can inadvertently expand the attack surface by introducing new vulnerabilities and entry points for cyber threats. By leveraging ASM, companies can proactively address potential security gaps, ensuring that AI implementations do not compromise data integrity and confidentiality, thereby reducing the risk of data breaches.
In conclusion, as AI adoption continues to drive business efficiencies, it’s crucial for organizations to recognize the potential risks associated with this technology and implement robust oversight mechanisms to mitigate these concerns.
Source: www.forbes.com
