Thu Sep 26 14:00:00 UTC 2024: ## AI Use in the Workplace Raises Cybersecurity Concerns: Study Finds Widespread Unauthorized Data Sharing

**New research by CybSafe and the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) has revealed that a staggering 38% of employees are sharing sensitive work information with AI tools without their employer’s permission.** This behavior is particularly prevalent among younger generations, with nearly half of Gen Z (46%) and millennials (43%) admitting to such practices.

The study, which surveyed over 7,000 individuals across several countries, highlighted the significant gap between AI awareness and responsible usage. Only 48% of employed participants had received training on safe AI use, with even lower numbers among students, unemployed individuals, and retirees.

**Experts are raising alarm bells about the potential security risks associated with this trend.** Oz Alashe, CEO of CybSafe, emphasized the need for increased awareness and security measures to address the new category of security threats posed by AI. Ronan Murphy, an AI advisor, went further, calling the potential access of organizational data by AI tools “the biggest risk any industry has ever faced in regard to cybersecurity, governance and compliance.” He stressed the importance of data sanitation before feeding it into AI applications to mitigate the risk of sensitive information being compromised.

**The study also revealed a widespread concern about AI-related cybercrime.** Two-thirds of respondents expressed fear about AI being used to create more convincing phishing emails, while over half believe it will make scams harder to detect and increase the difficulty of staying secure online.

**Furthermore, the survey exposed a lack of trust in organizations’ AI implementation.** A significant number of respondents expressed uncertainty about the ethical and unbiased use of AI technologies.

**The findings underscore the need for organizations to prioritize AI security and education within their workforce.** This includes implementing comprehensive training programs, implementing strong data security protocols, and fostering a culture of responsible AI usage.

Read More