Since its inception, Generative AI has revolutionized enterprise productivity. GenAI tools enable faster and more efficient software development, financial analysis, business planning and customer engagement. However, such agility in business is associated with significant risks, in particular with the possibility of leakage of confidential data. As organizations try to balance productivity gains with security concerns, many are forced to choose between the unrestricted use of GenAI and its complete ban.
A new LayerX e-guide titled 5 effective measures to prevent data leakage through generative artificial intelligence tools designed to help organizations address the challenges of using GenAI in the workplace. The guide offers practical steps for security managers to protect sensitive corporate data while taking advantage of the performance of GenAI tools like ChatGPT. This approach is designed to allow companies to find the right balance between innovation and security.
Why bother with ChatGPT?
The e-guide addresses the growing concern that unrestricted use of GenAI could lead to unintended data disclosure. For example, as shown by such cases as Samsung data leak. In this case, employees accidentally exposed proprietary code while using ChatGPT, leading to a complete ban on GenAI tools from the company. Such incidents highlight the need for organizations to develop robust policies and controls to mitigate the risks associated with GenAI.
Our understanding of risk is not simply anecdotal. According to research by LayerX Security:
- 15% of enterprise users have inserted data into GenAI tools.
- 6% of corporate users inserted sensitive data, such as source code, personally identifiable information, or sensitive organizational information, to a GenAI tool.
- Among the top 5% of GenAI users, who are the heaviest users, as much as 50% belong to R&D.
- Source code is the main type of sensitive data exposed, accounting for 31% of exposed data
Key steps for security managers
What can security managers do to enable the use of GenAI without exposing the organization to the risk of data theft? Highlights from the e-Manual include the following steps:
- Mapping the use of artificial intelligence in the organization – Start by understanding what you need to protect. Identify who is using GenAI tools, how, for what purposes, and what types of data are exposed. This will form the basis of an effective risk management strategy.
- Limiting Personal Accounts – Then take advantage of the protection offered by GenAI tools. GenAI Enterprise Accounts provide built-in security measures that can significantly reduce the risk of sensitive data being leaked. This includes restrictions on data used for educational purposes, restrictions on data retention, restrictions on account sharing, anonymization, and more. Note that this requires forcing the use of non-personal accounts when using GenAI (this requires a proprietary tool).
- Hint to users — As a third step, use the power of your own employees. Simple reminders that pop up when using GenAI tools will help raise employee awareness of the potential consequences of their actions and organizational policies. This can effectively reduce risky behavior.
- Blocking the entry of confidential information – Now is the time to introduce advanced technologies. Implement automated controls that limit the input of large amounts of sensitive data into GenAI tools. This is especially effective in preventing employees from sharing source code, customer information, identifying information, financial data, etc.
- Limiting GenAI Browser Extensions – Finally, prevent the risk of browser extensions. Automatically manage and classify AI browser extensions based on risk to prevent them from unauthorized access to an organization’s sensitive data.
To fully enjoy the performance benefits of Generative AI, businesses need to find a balance between performance and security. As a result, GenAI security should not be a binary choice between allowing all AI activity or blocking it entirely. Rather, taking a more granular and fine-tuned approach will allow organizations to reap business benefits without leaving the organization at risk. For security managers, this is a way to become a key business partner and enabler.
Download the manual to learn how you too can easily implement these steps immediately.
