November 22, 2023 at 06:54AM
Summary:
Employees’ strong demand for AI tools is putting pressure on CISOs and cybersecurity teams to adopt AI quickly, even if it means overlooking security risks. Indie AI startups, in particular, lack security rigor compared to enterprise AI and pose risks such as data leakage, content quality issues, product vulnerabilities, and compliance risks. Connecting indie AI to enterprise SaaS apps increases productivity but also increases the likelihood of backdoor attacks. To reduce indie AI tool security risks, CISOs should focus on standard due diligence, implement or revise application and data policies, provide regular employee training, ask critical questions during vendor assessments, and build relationships to create a secure and empowering environment.
Based on the meeting notes, there are serious security risks associated with the unsanctioned use of AI tools by employees. These risks include data leakage, content quality issues, product vulnerabilities, and compliance risk. Furthermore, connecting indie AI tools to enterprise SaaS apps increases productivity but also raises the likelihood of backdoor attacks.
To reduce the security risks posed by indie AI tools, the following recommendations were made:
1. Conduct standard due diligence by thoroughly reading the terms of service for any AI tools employees request.
2. Consider implementing or revising application and data policies to provide clear guidelines and transparency. This can include creating an allow-list for approved AI tools or establishing restrictions on the types of data that can be used with AI programs.
3. Provide regular training and education to employees to raise awareness about the risks associated with unsanctioned AI tool usage, data breaches, and AI-to-SaaS connections. These trainings can also serve as opportunities to reinforce policies and software review processes.
4. Ask critical questions during vendor assessments of indie AI tools, focusing on security posture, compliance with data privacy laws, and potential vulnerabilities. Consider factors such as who will have access to the AI tool, where prompt data is stored, and whether the tool has features that could pose traditional vulnerabilities.
5. Build relationships with business leaders and make your team and security policies accessible. Communicate the impact of AI-related data breaches and leaks in terms of financial and opportunity losses. Provide clear and readily available guidelines on allowed AI tools and vendors. Engage in conversations with leaders and employees to understand their needs and goals, and work together to find appropriate AI solutions that meet security requirements.
By following these recommendations, it is possible to create a secure environment that balances the benefits of AI tools with the need to protect sensitive SaaS data and systems.