Since its emergence, Generative AI has revolutionized enterprise productivity. GenAI tools enable faster and more effective software development, financial analysis, business planning, and customer engagement. However, this business agility comes with significant risks, particularly the potential for sensitive data leakage. As organizations attempt to balance productivity gains with security concerns, many have been forced to choose between unrestricted GenAI usage to banning it altogether.
A new e-guide by LayerX titled 5 Actionable Measures to Prevent Data Leakage Through Generative AI Tools is designed to help organizations navigate the challenges of GenAI usage in the workplace. The guide offers practical steps for security managers to protect sensitive corporate data while still reaping the productivity benefits of GenAI tools like ChatGPT. This approach is intended to allow companies to strike the right balance between innovation and security.
Why Worry About ChatGPT?
The e-guide addresses the growing concern that unrestricted GenAI usage could lead to unintentional data exposure. For example, as highlighted by incidents such as the Samsung data leak. In this case, employees accidentally exposed proprietary code while using ChatGPT, leading to a complete ban on GenAI tools within the company. Such incidents underscore the need for organizations to develop robust policies and controls to mitigate the risks associated with GenAI.
Our understanding of the risk is not just anecdotal. According to research by LayerX Security:
- 15% of enterprise users have pasted data into GenAI tools.
- 6% of enterprise users have pasted sensitive data, such as source code, PII, or sensitive organizational information, into GenAI tools.
- Among the top 5% of GenAI users who are the heaviest users, a full 50% belong to R&D.
- Source code is the primary type of sensitive data that gets exposed, accounting for 31% of exposed data
Key Steps for Security Managers
What can security managers do to allow the use of GenAI without exposing the organization to data exfiltration risks? Key highlights from the e-guide include the following steps:
In order to enjoy the full productivity benefits of Generative AI, enterprises need to find the balance between productivity and security. As a result, GenAI security must not be a binary choice between allowing all AI activity or blocking it all. Rather, taking a more nuanced and fine-tuned approach will enable organizations to reap the business benefits, without leaving the organization exposed. For security managers, this is the way to becoming a key business partner and enabler.
Download the guide to learn how you can also easily implement these steps immediately.
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Some parts of this article are sourced from:
thehackernews.com