AI isn’t the next big thing anymore – it’s the current big thing, and businesses of all shapes and sizes are embracing it. But while CEOs get excited about the potential efficiencies to be gained, and employees take all kinds of shortcuts with ChatGPT – with or without their managers’ knowledge – AI isn’t all good news.
What many don’t realise is that this wondrous technology poses a hidden cyber security threat that could be putting both your data and your cyber risk insurance in jeopardy. Let’s take a look at why.
What’s AI doing with your data?
Whether it’s Deepseek, Claude or Sana or any of the other new platforms sweeping the world of work, it’s easy to be wowed by AI and all the clever things it can do. But do you know what happens to the data you’re feeding into it?
The answer is unsettling. AI has no boundaries in terms of how data is used or where it will end up. And with no limits in place, huge amounts of data is sent offshore and processed in data centres outside the UK.
In some cases, there’s nothing in the way of security to stop bad actors gaining access to that data and potentially even using it to carry out cyber attacks.
Say your employee feeds a PowerPoint presentation into an AI agent and asks it to tidy it up for them. It seems an innocent enough instruction. But what if that presentation is filled with confidential data? There’s no way of controlling where it gets processed and stored, or who might end up seeing it.
It’s a sobering thought. And it’s an issue even if you block AI agents in the office, as there’s nothing to stop employees using AI platforms for work purposes on their personal laptops, which many will do if it means doing a better job or they’re on a tight deadline.
Is your cyber risk insurance at risk?
Many businesses have cyber insurance these days, helping to mitigate the impact of cyber security breaches and attacks. But unsurprisingly, insurers are realising the security risks posed by AI and are growing wary of it. If you’re worried that your AI use is putting your company’s data and cyber cover at risk, help is at hand.
Steps to mitigate AI risks
We offer comprehensive support to help your organisation adopt AI securely and effectively. This includes auditing how your teams AI use, identifying unauthorised or unmanaged AI tools, planning enterprise-grade deployments, and delivering tailored staff training. Using Microsoft’s Copilot Readiness Assessment, we’ll also help you implement robust controls aligned with your existing Microsoft 365 environment.
When configured correctly for business use, Microsoft Copilot adheres to the same user authentication and encryption standards as your broader Microsoft 365 environment. It also stores data within your organisation’s own SharePoint site, ensuring full data sovereignty.
If you want to use AI confidently and securely in your business, get in touch on 0800 033 4800 or email hello@managed.co.uk today.
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Whether you’re rethinking support, scaling your infrastructure, or strengthening security, we’re here to help you move forward with confidence.
