August 25, 2025
Artificial intelligence (AI) is creating a buzz for all the right reasons. Innovative tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot are transforming how businesses operate—helping create content, engage customers, draft emails, summarize meetings, and even support coding or spreadsheet tasks.
AI can dramatically enhance your productivity and save you valuable time. However, if used improperly, it may introduce significant risks—especially when it concerns your company's data security.
This threat extends to small businesses too.
Understanding the Risk
The challenge isn't AI itself, but how it's employed. When staff members insert sensitive information into public AI platforms, that data might be stored, analyzed, or even incorporated into training future AI models—potentially exposing your confidential or regulated information without anyone realizing.
For example, in 2023, Samsung's engineers inadvertently leaked proprietary source code through ChatGPT. This serious privacy breach led the company to ban any use of public AI tools, as highlighted by Tom's Hardware.
Imagine a similar scenario occurring in your own office—an employee pastes client financial records or medical information into ChatGPT seeking quick summaries, unaware of the hidden danger. Suddenly, critical private data is at risk.
Emerging Danger: Prompt Injection Attacks
Besides inadvertent leaks, cybercriminals are leveraging advanced attacks called prompt injections. By embedding harmful commands within emails, transcripts, PDFs, or even YouTube captions, they trick AI into divulging sensitive data or performing unauthorized actions.
In essence, the AI unknowingly becomes an accomplice to the attacker.
Why Small Enterprises Face Greater Exposure
Many small businesses lack oversight around AI usage. Employees often experiment with new tools independently, usually with good intentions but without proper guidance. There's a common misconception that AI tools function just like enhanced search engines. Few understand the risks of permanently sharing private info.
Additionally, most organizations haven't implemented explicit policies or provided training to safeguard AI interactions.
Take Control Now: Four Essential Steps
You don't have to eliminate AI from your operations—you just need to manage it wisely.
Follow these four practical steps to protect your business:
1. Establish a clear AI usage policy.
Specify approved tools, outline what data must never be shared, and designate a contact person for related questions.
2. Train your team thoroughly.
Educate employees on the risks tied to public AI platforms and how sophisticated threats like prompt injection operate.
3. Adopt secure, enterprise-grade platforms.
Promote the use of trusted business tools, such as Microsoft Copilot, that enhance data privacy and regulatory compliance.
4. Continuously monitor AI usage.
Keep tabs on which AI tools employees use, and if necessary, restrict access to public AI software on company devices.
Final Thought
AI technology isn't going anywhere, and businesses prepared to harness it securely will thrive. Ignoring its risks, however, could expose your company to data breaches, legal liabilities, or worse. Protecting your assets starts with a few simple but vital precautions.
Let's discuss how to safeguard your company's AI use. We'll guide you in crafting a robust, secure AI policy that protects your data while keeping your team efficient. Call us today at (802) 331-1900 or click here to schedule your Discovery Call.
