GenAI has evolved into an essential tool for workers because of the efficiency gains and innovative capabilities it provides. Programmers utilize it for coding, financial teams for report analysis, and sales teams for crafting customer correspondence and resources. However, these capabilities are precisely what introduce significant security vulnerabilities.
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When staff enter information into GenAI tools such as ChatGPT, they frequently fail to distinguish between confidential and non-confidential data. Studies by LayerX suggest that one out of three employees utilizing GenAI tools also divulge sensitive details. This may encompass source code, internal financial figures, business strategies, intellectual property, personally identifiable information (PII), customer data, and more.
Security departments have been striving to handle this data leakage threat ever since ChatGPT explosively entered our realm in November 2022. Nevertheless, thus far, the typical approach has been either to “permit all” or “prohibit all” — permitting GenAI usage without any security safeguards, or forbidding the usage entirely.
This tactic is highly inefficacious as it either exposes the organization to risks without any effort to safeguard corporate data, or prioritizes security over business advantages, resulting in firms missing out on productivity improvements. In the long term, this might trigger Shadow GenAI, or, even worse, cause the company to forfeit its competitive edge in the industry.
Can enterprises shield against data leaks while capitalizing on GenAI’s perks?
The solution, as usual, involves both awareness and tools.
The primary step is recognizing and outlining which of your data necessitates protection. Not all information should be disclosed — business strategies and source code, undoubtedly. However, publicly accessible details on your website can be safely inputted into ChatGPT.
The second step is deciding the level of limitation you desire to impose on employees when they try to paste such confidential data. This process may involve complete blocking or simply issuing a caution beforehand. Alerts prove beneficial as they aid in educating staff on the importance of data risks and promote autonomy, allowing employees to decide based on the type of data they are inputting and their necessity for it.
Now, it’s time for the technology. A GenAI Data Loss Prevention (DLP) tool can enforce these guidelines — meticulously assessing employee actions in GenAI programs and preventing or notifying when staff seek to paste sensitive information into it. Such a solution can also deactivate GenAI add-ons and implement varied policies for different users.
In a recent webinar by LayerX specialists, they explore GenAI data vulnerabilities and deliver best practices and pragmatic steps for fortifying the corporation. Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), security experts, and compliance personnel – Enroll here.
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