As AI becomes more deeply embedded in everyday business tools and workflows, small business owners are being urged to rethink their approach to cybersecurity. Rather than attempting to avoid AI, experts advise that businesses should embrace it while implementing strong governance and security practices.
Here, Marko Antonić, Cloud Workspace Engineer, from Haypp, shares his advice for business owners who may be suffering from AI-anxiety…
Understanding the Risks
One of the most immediate concerns is data leakage through AI prompts, where employees may unknowingly input sensitive company, customer, or financial information into AI tools. This information may then unintentionally become visible to third parties.
Another growing risk is so-called Shadow AI where employees may use unapproved consumer or free versions of AI platforms without oversight from IT or security teams. This lack of visibility creates significant blind spots in organisational security.
In addition, many business owners may be unclear about how AI vendors handle data, such as where it is stored, how long it is retained, and whether it is used to train models. Some malicious AI tools disguised as legitimate productivity applications are designed to steal credentials or extract sensitive data.
Before using a new AI tool, check that it meets your organisation’s security standards to avoid issues further down the line and check that their data storage policy complies with your business needs.
A Smarter Approach to AI Adoption
Business owners must first understand which AI tools are being used across their organisation. Clear policies should define what data can and cannot be entered into AI platforms. At the same time, organisations should conduct proper due diligence, ensuring they understand how data is processed, stored, and protected.
Controlled testing environments can help strike a balance between innovation and security, allowing teams to explore AI capabilities while ensuring appropriate safeguards are in place before wider deployment.
Photo by Maranda Vandergriff on Unsplash
