"Misusing AI Could Change Everything – Know the Risks of GenAI"
Employees Using ChatGPT Unknowingly Expose Sensitive Data:
Data Security in the Generative AI Era
While Generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot have become powerful digital assistants for boosting productivity, many organizations are starting to face a growing “silent threat” — the unintentional leakage of internal and sensitive data through improper AI use.
Real-World Cases Emerging in Enterprises
- An engineer pastes source code or customer data into ChatGPT to request assistance — unaware that the information is confidential and could be stored or reused.
- An HR employee uses AI to draft an employee exit letter and includes names and HR details — without marking the data as confidential.
- Documents submitted into AI platforms could later be used as training examples or output for other users — especially if no data segregation controls are in place.
The Challenge of Generative AI:
An intelligent tool that “remembers” what we input
Although providers like OpenAI have introduced enterprise-grade privacy features, many freely available AI tools still carry risks. Without proper boundaries (especially in free or personal versions), the data entered may become part of future training datasets or be inadvertently exposed.
How to Mitigate the Risk: Build a “Security-First” AI Culture
- Establish a Clear Generative AI Usage Policy
- Explicitly prohibit inputting sensitive information, such as customer data, source code, personal data (PII), or internal documents, into AI tools.
- HR, Legal, and IT teams should collaborate to create easy-to-understand “Do and Don’t” guides for AI usage.
- Define which tools and versions are approved (e.g., ChatGPT Enterprise, Microsoft Copilot with enterprise controls).
- Implement DLP Tools and AI Guardrails
- Deploy Data Loss Prevention (DLP) systems to detect and block the transfer of sensitive information — such as national IDs, bank details, or proprietary code.
- Use AI gateways and proxy tools to control and log GenAI usage — including:
- Microsoft Purview
- Zscaler AI Control
- Netskope AI Governance
- Palo Alto AI Access Control
- Build Employee Awareness and Monitoring Systems
- Conduct security awareness training specifically focused on safe and responsible AI usage.
- Educate employees on the real risks and consequences of improper AI use.
- Appoint “AI Champions” within each department to serve as local advisors on secure AI practices.
Final Thoughts
Generative AI is a powerful ally — but without clear usage policies and controls, it can become an unseen vulnerability.
Organizations that take action now by implementing responsible AI governance and fostering awareness across teams will not only mitigate risks, but also gain a competitive edge through trust and long-term data integrity.
