Employees can sometimes be a step ahead of their organizations when it comes to leveraging new technology. This cybersecurity month, we’re looking at the risks of shadow AI and outlining a multi-pronged approach to turn your team's AI enthusiasm from a security risk to a productivity driver.
What Is Shadow AI?
The phrase shadow AI takes its cue from shadow IT: the use of systems, devices, software, applications, and services without explicit approval from your organization. Since the launch of ChatGPT in 2022, the Internet has been flooded with easily accessible consumer-friendly artificial intelligence (AI) tools to help with tasks like writing, design, coding, research, translation, education, customer service, and data analysis. Interest amongst IT pros is high: the SolarWinds IT Trends Report 2024 reported that 56% of IT pros want their companies to invest more in AI, while 46% wish they would implement it faster. However, taking advantage of AI tools without preapproval from your IT department can open up a world of risk. In the first instance, employees might accidentally download malicious applications, and sensitive material may inadvertently be revealed to third parties. Even more insidious elements may be at play. One Forbes article warns that bad actors can employ prompt injections to commandeer AI systems as a vehicle to transfer confidential details. Data poisoning, “trojaned” applications, and imposter programs disguised as legitimate software are just some of the other hazards of team members reaching for shadow AI tools.
How Can Organizations Combat Unsanctioned AI?
Clear communication is the first port of call. Despite how prevalent artificial intelligence has become, it’s still reasonable to assume that some employees may not be fully aware of the threat that unsanctioned AI tools pose to security. Set clear guidelines and policies on AI in your organization, and make sure to leverage training, webinars, and educational resources to thoroughly impress upon your staff the potential consequences of using unofficial technology. Leaders may look to deploy IT resources to monitor tool use among staff, but fostering a culture of continuous discussion and personal accountability around AI will often have the same effect. And while it’s tempting to view the use of shadow AI as the practice of the work-shy or incompetent, its proliferation points to pressing human concerns.
Today’s workers must contend with tight deadlines, schedule constraints, and complex workflows. When the pressure comes on, it’s natural to seek out ways to save time or boost the quality of their output. Team members are aware of the capabilities of AI, and a failure of your organization to provide the tools required to make them competitive in today’s workplace is likely to breed frustration, potentially damaging your company's reputation among staff at a time when it’s harder than ever to hire top talent. A wise approach may be to meet your team halfway by assessing their needs and identifying solutions to fulfill them.
Four Principles for Effective AI Integration
Considering implementing artificial intelligence in your organization? It’s important to do so safely and responsibly. AI by Design is a framework developed by SolarWinds to guide safe and effective AI implementation. It consists of four principles: Privacy and Security outlines advanced access control protocols and sophisticated anonymization strategies to maximize the safety of user data at all stages. The Accountability and Fairness principle leverages human oversight and continuous feedback to help ensure AI systems don’t perpetuate existing biases. The Transparency and Trust principle creates safeguards and parameters so that the responses generated by our AI systems are as practical, relevant, and valuable as possible. Finally, the principle of Simplicity and Accessibility works to turn complex systems into user-friendly tools capable of being operated by everyone. Remember, if you’re ready to integrate AI, tackling the hard questions from the get-go will help avoid headaches down the line.
Bring Shadow Practices into the Light
While it’s never acceptable to go against company policy, a worker’s desire to gain help from cutting-edge technology is certainly understandable. By encouraging a culture of conversation, warning of the dangers of shadow AI, and implementing processes by which the right tools can be made available through official channels, organizations can turn security anxieties on their head to reap the benefits of a productive, AI-assisted workforce.
