Data Privacy Week Spotlight: The Importance of AI Data Security

As we kick off Data Privacy Week, the Cybersecurity Association of Pennsylvania wants to bring attention to a critical and growing issue: AI Data Security. In today’s world, artificial intelligence has become an integral part of everyday life, both for consumers and businesses. From Apple Intelligence on your iPhone to Google’s Gemini, Meta AI, ChatGPT, and emerging platforms like DeepSeek, AI is shaping the way we interact with technology.

While AI offers unparalleled speed and accuracy in answering questions and solving problems, it also introduces risks, particularly in how it processes, learns from, and uses data.

AI Risks for Consumers

For consumers, the use of AI comes with inherent vulnerabilities. Every time you interact with AI—whether through a voice assistant, search engine, or chatbot—it is analyzing your input to "learn" and improve. However, this learning process is not infallible.

AI systems can be retrained, intentionally or unintentionally, to deliver false or corrupted information. For example, if enough users consistently input incorrect data, like teaching the system that 2+2=5, the AI could adopt that as a “truth” over time. This dynamic nature of AI, while a strength, also leaves room for error and potential misuse.

Tips for Using AI Safely as a Consumer

1. Be Mindful of Your Input: Avoid sharing sensitive personal information when interacting with AI platforms.
2. Review Data Sharing Settings: Check the privacy policies and settings of AI tools to understand how your data is being used.
3. Verify Information: Use AI responses as a starting point but cross-check critical information for accuracy.
4. Use Trusted Platforms: Stick to reputable AI services that prioritize data security and transparency, and review the data storage policies on where and how they will use and transmit your data.

AI Risks for Businesses

For businesses, the stakes are even higher. Employees increasingly use AI tools to streamline tasks, enhance productivity, and troubleshoot problems. However, this convenience comes with significant risks, as demonstrated by the 2023 incident involving Samsung engineers.

While using ChatGPT to debug code, Samsung employees inadvertently leaked proprietary source code and hardware specifications. This information then became part of the AI’s dataset, potentially exposing it to unauthorized users worldwide.

Tips for Businesses Using AI

1. Develop an AI Policy: Outline clear guidelines for how employees can and cannot use AI. A comprehensive AI policy template is available on PennCyber.com.
2. Educate Employees: Provide training on AI tools, their risks, and best practices for secure use.
3. Limit Sensitive Data Sharing: Prohibit uploading proprietary or sensitive information into AI platforms unless you have explicit agreements in place with the AI provider.
4. Audit AI Use Regularly: Monitor how AI is being used within your organization to identify and address potential security gaps.
5. Partner with IT and Legal Teams: Work with your IT and legal teams to ensure compliance with data protection laws and security standards when adopting AI solutions.

Conclusion

AI is transforming how we live and work, offering incredible advantages but also introducing new challenges in data security. Whether you’re a consumer using AI at home or a business leveraging AI to stay competitive, understanding and mitigating the risks is essential.

This Data Security Week, take proactive steps to safeguard your personal and organizational data in the age of AI. From creating policies and educating users to monitoring usage and protecting sensitive information, a strong AI data security strategy is critical to navigating this evolving landscape.

For more resources and support, visit PennCyber.com and join us in making AI a tool for innovation, not a source of risk.

Scott Davis

"You can't protect what you don't know"