New Data Security Risks for Southern California Businesses
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way companies operate — from how we write emails and generate reports to how we interact with clients and streamline internal processes. Tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot are being adopted by businesses throughout Southern California to boost efficiency and save time.
But with this rapid adoption comes a growing concern: if misused, AI could become a gateway for serious data security issues — even for small businesses.
Where the Real Risk Lies
It’s not the AI tools themselves that pose the greatest threat — it’s how people are using them. Employees trying to be more productive may unknowingly copy and paste private or regulated information into public AI tools. The problem? These tools often retain and analyze that input, and in some cases, use it to train future models.
Imagine this happening in your own office: an employee pastes confidential client data, proprietary code, or HIPAA-regulated information into a public AI tool to “get help” with a task. In that moment, sensitive information could be stored, analyzed, or even exposed — all without anyone realizing it.
A New Kind of Cyber Threat: Prompt Injection
AI misuse isn’t always accidental. Cybercriminals are already leveraging a tactic called prompt injection — a method where malicious commands are hidden inside documents, emails, transcripts, or even video captions. When an AI tool processes this content, it may follow the hidden commands and leak information or take unintended actions.
The scary part? The AI doesn’t even realize it’s being manipulated.
Why It Matters for Small and Medium Sized Businesses in Southern California
Many SMBs aren't tracking AI usage internally. Employees often start using these tools independently — thinking of them as harmless search engines. Unfortunately, they don’t realize that entering sensitive company information into these platforms can have permanent consequences.
Few local businesses have clear policies in place to guide AI use or to train employees on best practices.
What Your Business Can Do Today
You don’t need to abandon AI entirely — but you do need to create safeguards. Here are four steps your business can take to protect sensitive data while still taking advantage of AI tools:
- Establish a clear AI usage policy
Identify which tools are approved for use, what types of data must remain confidential, and who employees should talk to if they have questions. - Educate your team
Help staff understand the real-world risks, including how prompt injection works and why pasting client data into AI tools is a bad idea. - Stick with secure, enterprise-grade platforms
Business-focused tools like Microsoft Copilot offer stronger privacy protections and better compliance controls. - Monitor internal AI activity
Keep track of which AI tools are being used, and if necessary, consider restricting access to public AI platforms on company devices.
The Takeaway
AI isn’t going anywhere — and Southern California businesses that learn to use it wisely will gain a serious edge. But companies that fail to manage AI risks may face data breaches, compliance issues, and reputational damage.
Let’s talk about how your business can embrace AI without compromising security. We’ll help you create a smart AI policy and show you how to protect sensitive information while keeping your operations running smoothly.
📞 Call us at 619-255-2621 or book a call at your convenience: https://go.appointmentcore.com/intro-call