AI Adoption and Data Security: Why you can’t have one without the other

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the headline technologies of the modern era.  As such, AI adoption is rapidly increasing but users need to be aware of security risks.

In this article, Extech Cloud reviews the ins and outs of AI adoption, how to ensure data security, best practice, and how to get started.

The rise of AI in the legal sector 

AI is a hugely flexible tool with many benefits:

• Enhanced efficiency and productivity: AI can identify areas lacking in efficiency and supercharge them, bolstering productivity.
• Customer experience: AI’s ability to create custom recommendations and tailored experiences means customers always get the best and consistently high-quality experience.
• Plan for the future: AI can detect trends to track patterns and plan future business direction.

Why data security is crucial for AI adoption 

Protect sensitive information 

Using sensitive data with AI can make your information vulnerable. Failing to consider how AI uses your data in the long term can lead to data leaks.

Compliance with regulations 

Misuse of data could breach compliance regulations and be problematic for your business. Failing to comply can lead to penalties and litigation if breaches are serious.

Common data security risks in AI implementation 

Access control 

Access control is vital for any security setup, especially when using AI. Anyone with access to your organisation’s AI can do a lot with just a few prompts.

Data loss prevention  

Incorrect labelling of sensitive information can lead to data loss, increasing the risk of unauthorized access, and accidental disclosure.

Employee misuse and responsible use 

Training your employees on the dangers of AI misuse and how to use it responsibly will help reduce accidental misuse.

Best practise for ensuring data security in AI 

Make use of sensitivity labels 

Sensitivity labels categorise data based on level of confidentiality, meaning you can implement controls to prevent unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse.

Enforce least privilege access controls 

The principle of least privilege restricts and limits access to different information to prevent data breaches.

Provide sufficient employee training 

Making sure employees are aware of the risks and how to protect data will ensure user error doesn’t lead to security issues.

How we can help 

If you’re looking to get started with AI but don’t know how to go about doing so correctly, reach out to Extech Cloud. We’re here to help and will ensure you have all the support you need to succeed with AI, now and in the future.