August 25, 2025
The buzz around artificial intelligence (AI) is undeniable—and for excellent reasons. 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 aiding with coding or spreadsheets, AI is becoming indispensable.
AI dramatically boosts productivity and saves valuable time. However, as with any powerful technology, improper use can lead to significant risks, especially concerning your company's data security.
Even small businesses face these threats.
The Real Challenge
The technology itself isn't the problem—it's how it's applied. When employees input sensitive information into public AI platforms, that data might be stored, analyzed, or even used to train future AI models. This can unintentionally expose confidential or regulated information.
For instance, in 2023, Samsung engineers accidentally leaked internal source code into ChatGPT. The incident was so severe that Samsung banned public AI tool usage, as reported by Tom's Hardware.
Now imagine this happening in your workplace—an employee pastes client financial or medical details into ChatGPT for a quick summary, unaware of the potential consequences. Within moments, your private data could be compromised.
Emerging Danger: Prompt Injection
Beyond accidental leaks, cybercriminals have developed a sophisticated attack called prompt injection. They embed harmful commands within emails, transcripts, PDFs, or even YouTube captions. When AI tools process this content, they can be manipulated into revealing sensitive information or performing unauthorized actions.
In essence, the AI unknowingly becomes a weapon for attackers.
Why Small Businesses Are Especially at Risk
Many small businesses lack oversight on AI usage. Employees often adopt new AI tools independently, with good intentions but without proper guidance. They may mistakenly believe AI platforms are simply advanced search engines, unaware that their inputs might be permanently stored or accessed by others.
Additionally, most companies have yet to establish policies or training to ensure safe AI use.
Immediate Actions You Can Take
You don’t need to eliminate AI from your operations, but you must take decisive control.
Start with these four essential steps:
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 associated with public AI tools and the mechanics of threats like prompt injection.
3. Adopt secure, enterprise-grade platforms.
Encourage use of trusted tools such as Microsoft Copilot, which provide enhanced data privacy and compliance controls.
4. Monitor and manage AI usage.
Keep track of AI tools in use and consider restricting access to public AI platforms on company devices if necessary.
Final Thoughts
AI is an unstoppable force in business innovation. Companies that harness it responsibly will thrive, while those ignoring its risks invite potential disasters. A single careless action can expose your business to hackers, regulatory penalties, or worse.
Let's discuss how to safeguard your company’s AI usage. We’ll help you craft a robust, secure AI policy and protect your data—without hindering your team’s efficiency. Reach out today at 419-678-2083 or click here to schedule your 10-Minute Discovery Call.
