The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has ushered in an era of unprecedented innovation and efficiency across a wide range of industries. But alongside these advancements has come a new challenge: “Shadow AI.” This term refers to the unauthorized use of consumer AI tools by employees within a business environment. With roughly 50% of the general population using generative AI, the phenomenon of Shadow AI raises significant concerns about data security, compliance, and privacy.
Organizations must learn how to navigate the complexities of this emerging trend to protect their operations and maintain control of their technology infrastructure. With that in mind, here are four key strategies organizations can use to combat the threat of Shadow AI.
Founder and CEO of Malwarebytes.
Currently, most use of AI occurs in web browsers, putting employees at risk of sharing sensitive data and intellectual property. Proactive web filtering can thwart the use of online AI tools. This strategy includes the use of Domain Name System (DNS) filtering, a technique used to control access to websites and online content by filtering DNS queries based on predefined criteria.
That is, it intercepts DNS requests and allows or blocks access to specific websites or categories of websites based on administrator-defined policies. Organizations can use DNS filtering for content control to enforce acceptable use policies, restrict access to inappropriate or non-work-related content, and promote productivity and compliance.
In this particular case, IT teams can use DNS filtering to block access to AI websites like OpenAI's ChatGPT, Google's Gemini, etc. So, if you want to mitigate the risk of employees entering sensitive company information into these AI tools via their browsers, you can use DNS filtering to block access to those web pages. In this way, organizations can significantly reduce their attack surface and the chances of losing sensitive data.
2. Regular audits and compliance checks
Against all cybersecurity threats, regular audits and compliance checks are essential to ensure that your organization remains compliant with security standards and regulatory requirements. These audits act as a preventative measure to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.
For shadow AI, the audit process begins with a focused assessment of AI tools and infrastructure, followed by systematic testing and analysis to identify weaknesses and potential points of intrusion. Compliance checks then ensure that AI initiatives comply with industry-specific regulations and standards governing data protection and cybersecurity. These checks ensure that AI systems comply with legal requirements, such as data privacy laws and industry guidelines.
Additionally, employees should be made aware of clear policies regarding the use of AI, which will promote consistent, ethical and responsible application of AI technologies while protecting data privacy and facilitating regulatory compliance.
3. Ongoing staff education and awareness training
Audits and compliance checks are essential, but are insufficient without ongoing education efforts. Despite the increasing frequency and sophistication of threats, an organization's lack of awareness leaves them vulnerable to cyber attacks and hinders recovery efforts. Training and awareness are key components of any comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, especially when it comes to emerging threats such as zero-days.
Regular training sessions are essential to educate employees about potential security challenges. These sessions will not only help employees spot threats more easily, but also give them a better understanding of the consequences of a breach. Additionally, to support policies on sanctioned AI use, employees should be educated about the dangers of shadow AI. This will ensure that all AI initiatives are approved and compliant with security measures.
Increased awareness gives staff greater insight and the power to recognize and report suspicious activity. This proactive approach helps mitigate threats more quickly and provides an additional, critical layer of defense.
4. Cultivate a culture of transparency and openness
Finally, there is no doubt that a collaborative approach strengthens any organization and is a key element in enhancing its overall cybersecurity posture. Therefore, fostering transparency and openness is essential to effectively manage the risks of Shadow AI. Just as establishing a culture of open communication between IT teams and employees leads to a better understanding of security threats and protocols, the same applies to AI applications: learning what is authorized, what is shadow, and how to distinguish between them.
So where do we go from here? With two-thirds (64%) of CEOs concerned about cybersecurity risks related to AI and 71% of employees already using generative AI in the workplace, and that number only growing, there is no time to waste. Delaying the implementation of these strategies will leave your organization even more exposed to threats. Now is the time to step up, recognize the challenge, and take action.
We featured the best identity management software.
This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel, featuring the best and brightest minds in technology today. Opinions expressed here are those of the author and not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you're interested in contributing, find out more here. https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro
