How Cybersecurity Awareness Training is Important for Every Business
Artificial Intelligence is changing the way we live, work, and interact with the world. It is being used in Small to medium sized businesses for a wide range of tasks and its potential is only growing. AI helps businesses streamline key processes, improve their efficiency, and increase profitability. However, with the benefits of AI comes potential significant cybersecurity threats.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the creation of intelligent machines that can work and function like human beings. It involves the development of computer systems and algorithms that can perform tasks that usually require human-like intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and translation of languages. AI is designed to adapt and learn from experience, allowing it to continually improve its performance. ChatGPT and other AI tools (such as Jasper.ai and Copy.ai) use artificial intelligence algorithms to assist humans in writing and creating content. These tools can be used in many ways; however, cybersecurity insiders worry that hackers will be the ones getting the most use out of AI.
Hackers continue to develop and improve their skills and techniques by keeping up with the latest developments in technology, and cybersecurity experts are trying to keep up with them. Hackers use AI tools to help build more realistic phishing attacks, write dangerous code, and find ways to access organizations’ security systems. Even with access to AI tools hackers still have their work cut out for them. It is suggested that businesses should follow a multi-faceted cybersecurity approach. The basics are still essential and effective in stopping attacks. Creating a strong, unique password is the first step in securing data, followed by using multi-factor authentication tools and staying alert to the emails in your inbox. When using AI tools, it is crucial to address the potential risks that come with using such sophisticated technology. Small to medium sized businesses need to be knowledgeable of all risks associated with using AI to mitigate them effectively. Some of the major risks AI present for Small to medium sized businesses are:
1. Security
AI systems are vulnerable to security breaches, this can result in a businesses sensitive data being compromised or stolen. AI opens a whole new world for Cybercriminals to use AI to launch more sophisticated attacks, such as phishing scams and malware. These attacks are becoming increasingly more difficult to detect and defend against. It is important to understand the risks associated with using AI applications, hackers can create fake AI apps designed to trick you into downloading them. If you fall for this trap, they can install malware designed to steal all your data, only use approved and verified AI tools. With the rise of “deep-fake” AI generators can improve social engineering techniques to gain sensitive information. For example, hackers could use an AI tool to generate a “deepfake” of your boss and try to solicit personal information from you, such as a password or credit card number. To mitigate this problem, your business can create secret rules (such as a password or a phrase) that your employees should know before handing out any sensitive data. However, it’s best not to give out any sensitive data over the phone or online unless proper security steps have been implemented.
2. Privacy
AI collects all the data you provide when using the tool, this including personal information about your company, customers, and employees. This can lead to privacy violations and can also damage a business’s reputation if the data is not properly secured or used in an ethical manner. When using AI tools like chatGPT do not use any protected data or personal information. Everything you share with ChatGPT and other AI tools will be stored on their servers and it will be used to answer inquiries from other people. It will also possibly expose your company’s confidential data. There is also a risk that hackers may find a way to steal that data directly from the app itself. Be careful when uploading photos to AI tools. When you upload a photo, you may be handing over valuable information about yourself, your image, location, and other meta-data. There have even been some concerns about companies potentially using photos to help train facial recognition software.
3. Integration Challenges
When integrating AI systems with existing technology it can be challenging, even more so for Small to medium sized businesses that have limited IT resources available to them. This can result in major delays and added costs. This can negatively impact the business’s bottom line.
4. Inaccurate Results
AI is being developed at a very rapid pace; it is still far from being perfect. It is important that you don’t rely on AI answers to be accurate. AI relies on data and algorithms for content and is only as good as the information it has gathered. If the data is flawed or incorrect, the results can be inaccurate and unusable. AI tools can cover black and white areas of a topic, but gray areas are more subjective. This can lead to poor decision-making and damage to the business’s reputation.
5. Dependence on Technology
Businesses that rely heavily on AI tools can become overly dependent, which can create a point of failure for a business. If an AI tool fails or becomes unreliable, it will lead to downtime and lost revenue. With AI being on the rise in today’s modern world artificial intelligence can fundamentally change the way a business operates. Certain tasks within an organization that could possibly be entirely automated are things like invoicing, cost reporting, accounts payable and receivables are just a few examples of internal accounting systems that may be entirely automated. Risk management, credit union reconcilement, and even audits can all be entirely automated. One might be wondering what an accountant will be focused on in the future with AI impacting the financial industry. Accountants will be focused on analyzing data and providing trustworthy advice as their primary focus in the future. Customer relations will also play an important role in the accounting industry due to the recent shift towards AI.
With AI tools changing so rapidly and becoming more sophisticated, companies should be adopting a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity due to the evolving nature of cyber threats. Companies that understand all the risks associated with AI should prioritize enhancing their data loss protection controls at their endpoints to help safeguard their digital assets effectively. It is vital that organizations be proactive and take steps to protect their organization by providing cyber security awareness training to their employees. We are offering a free interactive cyber security awareness training session for new clients. You can sign up here: https://www.etechcomputing.com/interactive-cyber-security-awareness-training-session/.
