“Shadow AI” risk in companies and institutions: unknown AI platforms create risks for corporate data

Security risks associated with the use of artificial intelligence tools are increasingly being observed across companies and institutions. According to available information, although many organizations restrict access to well-known AI platforms for security purposes, this approach does not fully eliminate the problem and may, in fact, contribute to an increase in uncontrolled AI usage.

When access to official and approved AI tools is restricted, employees may turn to various publicly available artificial intelligence platforms in order to accelerate their work processes. In such cases, internal documents, customer data, reports, contracts and other sensitive files may be uploaded to third-party services without the organization’s knowledge or oversight. Furthermore, it should be noted that entering confidential and sensitive information not only into unknown platforms, but into any artificial intelligence tool without authorization and proper oversight is considered a security risk.

This type of uncontrolled usage is referred to in cybersecurity as “Shadow AI”. Shadow AI describes the use of artificial intelligence tools that have not been approved by the organization, have not been assessed for compliance with security requirements and remain outside formal monitoring mechanisms.

The main concern is not the use of AI itself, but rather the fact that such use takes place in an invisible and unmanaged manner. In these cases, it becomes difficult to determine which platforms data has been transmitted to, audit trails may not be generated and DLP and other security mechanisms may fail to operate effectively. As a result, the risk of data leakage and exposure of personal information increases.

Completely blocking AI tools is not always considered a secure solution. Instead of stopping usage, it may drive employees toward more hidden and uncontrolled environments. In many cases, employees do not use these tools with malicious intent; rather, they seek to perform their tasks more quickly and efficiently. However, information uploaded to unknown platforms may create serious security risks for the organization. However, whether using well-known or unknown artificial intelligence platforms, the input of confidential, personal and sensitive organizational data into AI tools must only be carried out in accordance with established internal policies and security requirements.

Companies and institutions are therefore advised to establish internal rules governing the use of artificial intelligence, provide employees with secure and approved AI solutions and clearly define which types of information must not be entered into AI tools. Employees should also be regularly informed about the risks associated with uploading files and sensitive data to unknown AI platforms.