Preventing Data Leaks with ChatGPT: A Guide to Protection

ChatGPT is everywhere now. Employees use it to draft contracts, summarize reports, and brainstorm ideas. The real question today is not what ChatGPT can do but what happens to the sensitive data people feed into it.

Every prompt could include customer details, financial plans, or internal discussions that were never meant to leave your company. That is where security becomes critical. If you are not thinking about how to protect data in ChatGPT, you are already behind.

The Hidden Risks of Using ChatGPT at Work

Here’s the challenge: Employees are turning to Generative AI for everyday tasks, which means your confidential information might be getting mixed up in the process. This includes things like:

• Customer & Employee data (think names, addresses, Social Security numbers)
• Company secrets (like product plans and financial information)
• Sensitive inquiries (like HR issues or legal concerns)

Why Traditional Data Protection Isn’t Enough

So, how do we keep this information safe? We need to level up our data protection strategies to keep pace with the advancements in Generative AI. Here’s what that means:

Protecting More Than Ever

Traditional data protection strategies are focused on information like credit card numbers, patient data and payment card numbers. Now, we need to consider the context of the information being used with Generative AI. Imagine telling ChatGPT a secret strategy, then accidentally having it leak out in a generated report!‍

Understanding the “Why” Behind the Data

Data protection needs to get smarter. We need to understand why information is being used and the potential harm if it gets leaked. This way, we can focus on truly sensitive prompts and keep everyday tasks flowing smoothly.

Privacy by Design: Building Security from the Start

Think of privacy as building a house. Wouldn’t you build security features right in? The same goes for Generative AI. We need “privacy by design” to keep data safe from the get-go. This includes techniques like zero-trust encryption, data anonymization and access controls.

Staying Ahead of Compliance and Regulations

Data privacy laws are constantly evolving and therefore solutions need to stay up-to-date to ensure your company complies with regulations like GDPR, SOC2, HIPAA and CCPA. Non-compliance can be a real budget-buster. According to a study sponsored by Globalscape, the average cost of non-compliance can range from $14 million to $40 million, so staying prepared is key!

The takeaway?

Generative AI is a powerful tool, but it needs strong security measures to keep your company’s data safe. By expanding your data protection measures, considering context, prioritizing privacy, and staying compliant, we can navigate this exciting new technological landscape with confidence.

P.S. Solutions like Wald are on the frontlines of this data security revolution, offering comprehensive protection for your sensitive information in the age of Generative AI.

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