As generative artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more popular in corporate, government, and education sectors, excitement for its future uses grows. While AI tools can expedite and streamline daily work, they can also be misused, especially in cybersecurity.
This article covers several guidelines to consider as you explore AI.
Be Cautious When Using AI
- Be aware of the limitations of AI: AI tools are still under development, and they are not perfect. They can make mistakes, and they can be biased. It is important to be aware of these limitations and to use AI tools responsibly.
- Do not rely on AI alone for critical decisions: While AI tools can aid decision-making, they should not be the only factor you consider. It is important to use your judgment and consult others before making important decisions
- Be careful about sharing sensitive information (financial data, FERPA data, SSNs, etc.) with AI tools: AI tools often rely on large datasets, some of which include sensitive information. It is important to be careful about what information you share with AI tools and to only share information that is necessary for the tool to perform its task.
- Some examples of sensitive information include:
- i. Personal information of an individual (e.g., name, contact information, passwords, etc.)
ii. Information protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
iii. Information protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
iv. Intellectual property
v. Trade secrets
vi. Sensitive matters, or otherwise confidential or proprietary data
Be Aware of AI-Powered Threats
- Advanced attacks: Threat actors are utilizing AI to develop new and more sophisticated attacks, such as deepfakes and social engineering scams. For instance, an attacker could use a 30-second recording of someone speaking to generate a complete voice!
- Automated attacks: AI can be used to automate cyberattacks, making them more efficient and difficult to detect.
- Targeted attacks: AI can be used to target specific individuals or organizations with customized attacks. Within minutes, Phishing and spearphishing campaigns can be generated in AI platforms. AI even helps attackers write better phishing messages.
AI is set to become an even greater role in cybersecurity in the years to come. With ongoing advancements in AI technology, we can expect to see more innovative and effective AI-powered security solutions. However, we must recognize that attackers will continue to exploit AI to create more sophisticated attacks.