August 25, 2025
Artificial intelligence (AI) is generating tremendous buzz, and it's easy to see why. Innovative tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot are transforming how businesses operate—whether it's crafting content, engaging with customers, drafting emails, summarizing meetings, or even assisting with coding and managing spreadsheets.
AI offers remarkable efficiency gains and can dramatically boost productivity. However, like any potent technology, improper use can lead to critical risks—especially concerning your organization's data security.
Even small businesses face significant threats.
Understanding the Core Issue
The real 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 leveraged to train future AI models. This exposes confidential or regulated information without anyone realizing the danger.
For instance, in 2023, Samsung engineers inadvertently leaked internal source code into ChatGPT. The incident was so severe that Samsung banned the use of public AI tools entirely, as reported by Tom's Hardware.
Imagine this happening in your workplace—an employee pastes client financial records or medical details into ChatGPT seeking a quick summary, unaware of the risks. In moments, private data could be compromised.
Emerging Danger: Prompt Injection Attacks
Beyond accidental leaks, cybercriminals have developed a sophisticated attack called 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 unintentionally aids the attacker, unaware of the manipulation.
Why Small Businesses Are Particularly at Risk
Many small businesses lack oversight of AI usage. Employees often adopt new AI tools independently, with good intentions but without proper guidance. They may mistakenly believe these tools function like enhanced search engines, not realizing that shared data could be permanently stored or accessed by others.
Moreover, few organizations have formal policies or training programs addressing safe AI practices.
Immediate Actions You Can Take
You don’t need to eliminate AI from your operations, but you must establish control.
Start with these four essential steps:
1. Develop a clear AI usage policy.
Specify approved tools, identify data types that must never be shared, and designate points of contact for questions.
2. Train your team.
Educate employees about the risks of public AI tools and explain threats like prompt injection attacks.
3. Adopt secure AI platforms.
Encourage use of business-grade solutions such as Microsoft Copilot, which provide stronger data privacy and compliance controls.
4. Monitor AI usage actively.
Keep track of which AI tools are in use and consider restricting access to public AI services on company devices if necessary.
The Bottom Line
AI is an enduring part of the business landscape. Companies that embrace it responsibly will unlock its benefits, while those ignoring the risks invite serious consequences. A few careless keystrokes could expose your business to hackers, regulatory penalties, or far worse.
Let's discuss how to safeguard your company from AI-related risks. We’ll help you craft a robust, secure AI policy and protect your data without hindering your team's productivity. Call us at 859-245-0582 or click here to schedule your Discovery Call today.
