There’s a lot of excitement about artificial intelligence (AI) right now, and for good reason. Tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot are popping up everywhere. Businesses are using them to create content, respond to customers, write emails, summarize meetings, and even assist with coding or spreadsheets.
AI can be a huge time-saver and productivity booster. But, like any powerful tool, if misused, it can open the door to serious problems—especially when it comes to your company’s data security.
Even small businesses are at risk.
Here’s the Problem
The issue isn’t the technology itself. It’s how people are using it. When employees copy and paste sensitive data into public AI tools, that information may be stored, analyzed, or even used to train future models. That means confidential or regulated data could be exposed, without anyone realizing it.
In 2023, engineers at Samsung accidentally leaked internal source code into ChatGPT. It became such a significant privacy issue that the company banned the use of public AI tools altogether, as reported by Tom’s Hardware.
Now picture the same thing happening in your office. An employee pastes client financials or medical data into ChatGPT to “get help summarizing,” not knowing the risks. In seconds, private information is exposed.
A New Threat: Prompt Injection
Beyond accidental leaks, hackers are now exploiting a more sophisticated technique called prompt injection. They hide malicious instructions inside emails, transcripts, PDFs, or even YouTube captions. When an AI tool is asked to process that content, it can be tricked into giving up sensitive data or doing something it shouldn’t.
In short, the AI helps the attacker—without knowing it’s being manipulated.
What is Prompt Injection?
Prompt injection is a technique where attackers embed hidden commands in content like emails or documents. When an AI tool processes this content, it may unknowingly follow the attacker’s instructions, potentially leaking sensitive data.
Real-World AI Security Incidents You Should Know
- Samsung engineers leaked internal source code into ChatGPT.
- In 2023, a ChatGPT user discovered that prompts from other users were being shown due to a caching bug.
- AI hallucinations have led to misinformation being shared in legal and medical contexts.
Why Small Businesses Are Vulnerable
Most small businesses aren’t monitoring AI use internally. Employees adopt new tools on their own, often with good intentions but without clear guidance. Many assume AI tools are just smarter versions of Google. They don’t realize that what they paste could be stored permanently or seen by someone else.
And few companies have policies in place to manage AI usage or to train employees on what’s safe to share.
What You Can Do Right Now
You don’t need to ban AI from your business, but you do need to take control.
Here are four steps to get started:
- Create an AI usage policy.
Define which tools are approved, what types of data should never be shared, and who to go to with questions. - Educate your team.
Help your staff understand the risks of using public AI tools and how threats like prompt injection work. - Use secure platforms.
Encourage employees to stick with business-grade tools like Microsoft Copilot, which offer more control over data privacy and compliance. - Monitor AI use.
Track which tools are being used and consider blocking public AI platforms on company devices if needed.
Checklist: Safe AI Use at Work
The Bottom Line
AI is here to stay. Businesses that learn how to use it safely will benefit, but those that ignore the risks are asking for trouble. A few careless keystrokes can expose your business to hackers, compliance violations, or worse.
Ready to secure your business against AI threats? Book a free 15-minute consultation to get a custom AI safety plan tailored to your team.
Safe AI FAQs
What is prompt injection in AI?
Prompt injection is a technique where attackers embed hidden commands in content like emails, documents, or transcripts. When an AI tool processes this content, it may unknowingly follow those commands—potentially leaking sensitive data or performing unauthorized actions.
Can AI tools like ChatGPT store or remember what I type?
Yes, many public AI tools may store user inputs to improve their models. This means anything you paste—like client data or internal documents—could be retained and used for future training unless the platform explicitly states otherwise.
What kind of data should I avoid sharing with AI tools?
Avoid sharing any personally identifiable information (PII), financial records, medical data, passwords, or proprietary business information unless you’re using a secure, enterprise-grade AI platform with clear data handling policies.
Are there safe AI tools for business use?
Yes. Tools like Microsoft Copilot and other enterprise AI platforms are designed with business-grade security and compliance in mind. They offer more control over data privacy compared to public tools.
Do small businesses really need an AI usage policy?
Absolutely. Even small teams can unintentionally expose sensitive data. A simple AI usage policy helps set boundaries, reduce risk, and ensure employees use AI tools responsibly.
What should I include in an AI usage policy?
Your policy should cover:
- Approved AI tools
- Useage guidelines and/or use cases
- Prohibited data types
- Employee responsibilities
- Reporting procedures for misuse or suspicious behavior
