Stop AI from Becoming Your Next Data Breach – Free Webinar Replay

Webinar Recap: Stop Artificial Intelligence (AI) From Becoming Your Next Data Breach

In this eye-opening session, Robyn Howes, CEO and founder of Certified NETS, shared how artificial intelligence is both a powerful productivity tool and a growing risk to your data security. If you missed it, here’s what you need to know — and why watching the replay is a must.

AI: Your New Productivity Hero… and a Hidden Risk

AI tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot are transforming how teams work — boosting speed, accuracy, and efficiency. But with that convenience comes an often-overlooked cost: confidential data exposure.

Robyn demonstrated just how easy it is for any employee to feed sensitive company data into AI tools resulting in a cybersecurity risk — without realizing where that data goes or how it might be stored and reused.

Three Ways AI Tools Leak Data

The webinar highlighted three main pathways for data leaks when Artificial Intelligence (AI) is used carelessly:

1. The Front Door: Voluntary Data Sharing

Employees copy and paste sensitive information — like financial records or client data — into chatbots and Copilot to save time. One slip can leak proprietary data. The Samsung incident, where engineers accidentally exposed trade secrets to ChatGPT, is a prime example.

2. The Back Door: Automatic Data Harvesting

Artificial Intelligence integrations like Copilot pull information directly from user devices — including emails, downloads, SharePoint, and more. Misconfigured permissions or untagged sensitive data mean AI might have access to confidential files you didn’t intend to share.

3. The Side Door: Risky Plug-Ins

Hackers embed malware into new, trendy AI plug-ins. Employees looking for shortcuts might download these tools, unwittingly giving attackers a clear path to your data. Even Disney fell victim to this tactic — proving that no brand is immune.

The Black Box Problem: You Can’t Always See What AI Does

Generative AI learns from the data it consumes — but its decision-making is a “black box.” Even experts often can’t explain exactly how models reach their outputs. Worse yet, AI confidently delivers incorrect answers that users may trust blindly.

That’s why Robyn stressed: “What goes in stays in — so your team must understand what’s acceptable to share and what’s not.”

“What goes in stays in — so your team must understand what’s acceptable to share in Artificial Intelligence tools and what’s not.”

Building an AI Acceptable Use Policy: A Critical First Step

Robyn showed attendees how to take control with a practical AI Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) — including:

• Deciding which AI tools are allowed (and which are banned)
• Outlining acceptable vs. prohibited use cases
• Appointing clear owners for policy approval, training, and enforcement
• Making sure every employee signs and understands the policy

✅ Download a free, customizable AI Acceptable Use Policy worksheet/template »

For more examples of how to align AI policy with broader compliance, check out our IT Compliance Examples article.

“Intent Without Execution Creates Risk”

A policy alone isn’t enough. Robyn made it clear: to truly reduce risk, organizations must train employees, get signed acknowledgments, and build evidence that leadership acted responsibly.

To truly reduce risk, organizations must train employees, get signed acknowledgments, and build evidence that leadership acted responsibly.

Free Cyber Risk Assessment: Take Action Now

Certified NETS is offering a free Cyber Risk Assessment to help you find out exactly how exposed your organization might be — before you become the next headline.

Email info@certified-nets.com with the subject line “Assessment” to get started.

Key Takeaways to Understanding How to Prevent Artificial Intelligence Data Leaks

• 75% of employees already use AI tools — most without telling leadership
• AI leaks data through intentional sharing, silent harvesting, and risky plug-ins
• Policies and training are essential to control AI risks
• Oversight can’t be outsourced — leadership must own AI governance
• Staying ahead is cheaper than responding to a breach
• Your Acceptable Use Policy alone won’t protect you — real protection means layering tools, policies, user training, and continuous monitoring.

Certified NETS can help you implement layered security with managed detection and response, SIEM logging, and vCIO/vCISO services that align IT with your business goals.

Take the Next Step Toward Secure AI Use

Protect your business from hidden AI risks starting today. Download your free AI Acceptable Use Policy worksheet to set clear guardrails for your team — and connect with Certified NETS for expert guidance and a custom Cyber Risk Assessment.

Acceptable Use Policy Worksheet »

Planning to Use Microsoft Copilot or CoWork?

AI security starts with understanding the environment the technology will operate within. Our Microsoft Copilot CoWork Readiness Assessment evaluates Microsoft 365 security, data access, governance, and potential AI use cases before a broader rollout.