“Social engineering also threatens AI systems, which can become malicious through external manipulation. We have demonstrated that attackers can use AI to manipulate employees. These dangers must be clearly communicated.”
The rapid digitalization and integration of Generative AI (GenAI) into everyday business operations have profoundly transformed how companies function. While these technologies offer efficiency and utility, they also pose significant cybersecurity risks, with humans often being the weakest link. Employees can unknowingly facilitate attacks through phishing, social engineering, or improper use of AI tools.
Employee training and awareness of potential risks are essential for creating a secure work environment. Together with our sister company, sequire technology, we offer the right solutions for you.
To properly assess threats and implement appropriate measures, it is crucial for companies to understand the key terms and concepts.
SHORT SUMMARY
Phishing: A type of fraud where attackers attempt to steal sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card details, via fake emails or websites.
Ransomware: Malware that encrypts data on a computer and demands a ransom to release it.
Social Engineering: The manipulation of individuals to obtain confidential information or trick them into actions that create security vulnerabilities.
Generative AI (GenAI): Artificial intelligence that generates content like text, images, or code based on input data.
API Key: A type of digital key that grants programs access to certain services or data.
A study, issued by Bitkom, shows that 8 out of 10 companies in Germany train their employees on IT security. These trainings are essential, as many security incidents are caused by human error. The aim is to raise employee awareness of topics such as:
The aim is to raise employee awareness of topics such as:
The introduction of Generative AI in companies opens up new opportunities but also new attack vectors. Just like humans, AI models can be manipulated through social engineering, posing an additional security threat.
Generative AI has already found its way into many companies, often without being explicitly included in security policies. There is a risk that employees may unknowingly enter sensitive data into external AI systems that are not under the company’s control.
Some of the biggest risks associated with using Generative AI include:
“Social engineering also threatens AI systems, which can become malicious through external manipulation. We have demonstrated that attackers can use AI to manipulate employees. These dangers must be clearly communicated.”
To protect against the risks mentioned, our sister company recommends the following measures:
A striking example of the risks involved in AI usage is the deployment of tools like Copilot, a code-generating AI. Input a simple command like “api_key” along with the name of a service, and you could receive a useful response—often including sensitive data that should be protected.
This example clearly illustrates that the use of AI systems can also open unexpected security gaps. Therefore, it is vital that companies not only rely on technological security solutions but also educate their employees about the risks. .
The security of companies in the digital world depends not only on technology but largely on the behavior of employees. Especially in times when Generative AI is increasingly used in various business areas, it is essential for companies to raise awareness of the risks and establish clear guidelines for the use of AI tools.
sequire technology helps companies tackle these challenges. Through targeted training and consultation, we help raise awareness for cybersecurity and adjust security standards to meet the demands of the modern working world.
DR. CHRISTOPH ENDRES
managing director
sequire technology
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