Author: Daniel Perkins

Categories
AI Security

Tackling the Rise of Shadow AI in Modern Enterprises

Understanding the Shadow AI Phenomenon 

Shadow IT has been a persistent challenge for CIOs and CISOs. This term refers to technology utilized within an organization without the explicit approval of the IT or security departments. Recent data from Gartner indicates that in 2022, a staggering 41% of employees engaged in the acquisition, modification, or creation of technology outside the purview of IT. Projections suggest this figure could soar to 75% by 2027. The primary concern with shadow IT is straightforward: it’s nearly impossible to safeguard what remains unknown. 

In a parallel development, the AI landscape is witnessing a similar trend. Tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini are becoming popular among employees for task execution. While innovation and adaptability are commendable, the unchecked use of these tools, without the knowledge of IT or security departments, poses significant information and compliance risks. 

Why Employees Gravitate Towards AI Tools 

Generative AI, machine learning, and expansive language models have transformed the way we work. These technologies offer: 

  • Enhanced Process Efficiencies: AI can automate repetitive tasks, streamline workflows, and reduce time to delivery. 
  • Boosted Personal Productivity: With AI’s assistance, employees can focus on more strategic tasks, fostering creativity and innovation. 
  • Improved Customer Engagement: AI-driven tools can personalize customer experiences, predict trends, and enhance overall satisfaction. 

Balancing Innovation with Security 

The challenge for organizational leaders is twofold: ensuring that employees can harness their preferred AI tools while simultaneously mitigating potential security threats. Here are some strategies: 

  1. Establish Policy
  • Identify Regulations: Many companies are subject to consumer privacy laws, determine what is permitted based on the client’s or customer’s location. 
  • Catalog Contracts: Often our clients have requirements in contracts that dictate how we can, or cannot, use AI in how data is processed. 
  1. Educate and Train
  • Awareness Campaigns: Launch initiatives to educate employees about the potential risks associated with unsanctioned AI tools and encourage collaboration on approved usage. 
  • Training Programs: Offer regular training sessions on the safe and responsible use of AI, including what types of data are permitted. 
  1. Implement Robust Security Protocols
  • Regular Audits: Conduct frequent IT audits to detect and address unauthorized AI tool usage. 
  • Advanced Threat Detection: Employ sophisticated AI-driven security solutions to identify and counteract potential threats. 
  1. 4. Promote Approved AI Tools
  • Internal AI Toolkits: Create a suite of organization-approved AI tools that employees can safely use. 
  • Feedback Mechanisms: Establish channels for employees to suggest new tools, fostering a culture of collaboration and trust. 

The Way Forward 

While the allure of AI is undeniable, it’s crucial for organizations to strike a balance between innovation and security. By understanding the motivations behind shadow AI, enterprises can create an environment where technology augments human capabilities without compromising safety. 

Conclusion 

The rise of shadow AI underscores the rapid evolution of technology in the workplace. By adopting a proactive approach, organizations can harness the power of AI while ensuring a secure and productive environment for all. 

Categories
AI Security

AI Security 101: Addressing Your Biggest Concerns

Understanding the Landscape of AI Security

In today’s digital age, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of our daily lives. From smart home devices to advanced medical diagnostics, AI is revolutionizing industries and improving user experiences. However, with the rapid adoption of AI technologies, security concerns have become paramount. As we integrate AI into critical systems, ensuring the safety and integrity of these systems is of utmost importance.

The Main Concerns in AI Security

1. Data Privacy and Protection

AI systems rely heavily on data. The quality and quantity of this data determine the efficiency of the AI model. However, this data often includes sensitive information, which, if mishandled, can lead to significant privacy breaches. Ensuring that data is minimized, collected, stored, and processed securely is crucial.

2. Adversarial Attacks

These are sophisticated attacks where malicious actors introduce slight alterations to the input data, causing the AI model to make incorrect predictions or classifications. Such attacks can have severe consequences, especially in critical systems like autonomous vehicles or medical diagnostics.

3. Model Robustness and Integrity

Ensuring that an AI model behaves predictably under various conditions is vital. Any unpredicted behavior can be exploited by attackers. Regular testing and validation of AI models can help in maintaining their robustness and integrity.

4. Ethical Concerns

As AI systems make more decisions on our behalf, ensuring that these decisions are ethical and unbiased becomes crucial. Addressing issues like algorithmic bias is essential to build trust in AI systems.

Best Practices in AI Security

1. Enable AI Usage

Establish controls with policies and procedures on when AI usage is permitted, how to onboard AI tools and when they can be used. Document all approved systems so there is a clear understanding of where your data is.

2. Secure Data Management

Always encrypt sensitive data, both at rest and in transit. Employ robust access controls and regularly audit who has access to the data, where the data resides and how long the data is stored. Ensure compliance with data protection regulations both contractually and regulatory.

3. Regularly Update and Patch Systems

Just like any other software, AI systems can have vulnerabilities. Regular updates and patches can help in fixing these vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.

4. Employ Defense-in-Depth Strategies

Instead of relying on a single security measure, use multiple layers of security. This ensures that even if one layer is breached, others can still provide protection.

5. Continuous Monitoring and Anomaly Detection

Monitor AI systems in real-time. Any deviations from normal behavior can be a sign of a potential security breach. Immediate action can prevent further damage.

6. Educate and Train Teams

Ensure that everyone involved in the development and deployment of AI systems is aware of the potential security threats and knows how to address them.

The Future of AI Security

As AI technologies continue to evolve, so will the security challenges associated with them. However, by being proactive and adopting a security-first approach, we can address these challenges effectively. Collaborative efforts between AI developers, security experts, and policymakers will be crucial in shaping a secure AI-driven future.

In conclusion, while AI offers immense potential, ensuring its security is paramount. By understanding the challenges and adopting best practices, we can harness the power of AI while ensuring the safety and privacy of users.

Categories
Computer & Network Security

Ransomware Resilient Backups

Every day we see evidence of bad actors attacking various sized companies with ransomware. A commonly agreed upon defense mechanism that offers a good chance to recover your data without paying the ransom is a robust backup strategy. With federal entities considering the idea that victims paying the attackers ransom a crime, now is a great chance to get ahead of any possible criminal action to getting your firm back online. The strategy we outline here will help your organization build a resilient backup strategy for protection from ransomware or any other incident.

Attackers Are Going After Your Backups

We know without a doubt that attackers are going after primary datastores and servers to encrypt companies’ data, and as the business of ransomware evolves, these attack strategies continue to become more successful. According to Revil, targeting backups has become a key element in an attacker’s strategy, and they are focusing efforts on encrypting or neutralizing backups. If a company has tested backups that are resilient to attacks, there is a lower chance they will be forced to make ransomware payments.

Snapshots Are Not Backups

Snapshots are great, no way around it, for IT services and operations this may be one of the greatest tools since sliced bread. However, snapshots should not be considered a replacement of a solid backup strategy. Now, that is not to say that snapshots don’t have a place in a solid backup strategy. Snapshots are great if you need to restore from the past few hours; however, in some cases, we need to know our backups are safe and clean from previous days or even weeks. While snapshots can do this, it is not the most effect mechanism. Especially as we consider replication to multiple locations and offline, air-gapped backups.

It’s not just me saying this checkout what VMWare has to say on why snapshots are not backups.

3-2-1- Strategy

Backups are as simple as 3-2-1, right? This sounds very simplistic, and in reality, it is a simple plan; however, it can be hard to execute. The idea is simple. Create 3 copies of your backups, across 2 different media types, and at least one offsite backup. Let’s break this down to a real-world example to contextual this for practicality.

3 Backups might look like this at a high level. With backups to Disk, which could be a SAN, you have backups that are quickly accessible for most recovery needs. Backups to cloud gets the data offsite to another location. Backups to tape satisfies our two media types strategy. Of course, you can mix and match other medias, locations and methods but the idea to have a diverse strategy so you have options when you lose confidence or access to other backups.

Backup to Disk > Backup to Cloud > Backup to Tape

Test, Test, and Retest

Backups are only great when they work and are ready. Develop a strategy to regularly test your backups AND your process! Restoring a file, application, or server for a ticket or service issue, while technically is a test, for those of us with compliance requirements this generally does not satisfy our requirements. Testing regularly has a few advantages to help you when you need them.

1. You know your backups are available.

2. Your team knows how to restore from backups.

3. Your team knows where to find your backups.

4. You know how long it takes to recover.

If you have a large environment consider a sample testing method where you test your high risk systems every time, with a set of lower risk systems to go along.

Separately, you should test your disaster recovery plan either with a table top or actual execution of the plan including failover to recovery location or backups.

Feel free to contact us if you’d like to review and reinforce your backup strategy.

Sources:
https://blog.cyble.com/2021/07/03/uncensored-interview-with-revil-sodinokibi-ransomware-operators/
https://www.vmwareblog.org/snapshots-checkpoints-alone-arent-backups/
https://www.veeam.com/blog/321-backup-rule.html