eBook | ChatGPT Security Risks: A Guide for Cyber Security Professionals

Introduction

The advancement of language models, like ChatGPT, heralds the beginning of a new era in human-machine collaboration. ChatGPT can offer human-like responses based on a vast knowledge base and, due to the machine learning model on which it was built, the technology will continually improve over time. Some are exceptionally enthusiastic about what AI-based tools, like ChatGPT, can accomplish. Presently, employees can use ChatGPT on a per-instance basis, or businesses can integrate ChatGPT into their own applications or platforms, such as a website or mobile app, to provide automated support or AI-powered features. API integrations are available through OpenAI (ChatGPT’s parent company) and through third-parties.

Regardless of how ChatGPT is integrated and applied in the business setting, the technology can provide new insights. The challenge is how to overcome security obstacles. As the use of ChatGPT and similar technologies expands, so do cybersecurity risks. The four substantial areas of risk include:

• People
• Data Privacy
• Malware
• Data Breaches

Continue reading to understand how these risks could affect your business.

People

People are error-prone and no ready-made solution exists to solve that issue. By and large, employees have the best of intentions but may not inherently know what is or isn’t acceptable in the way of chatbot use. Chances are that they haven’t given it much thought—they just know that a chatbot can help provide results. The “newness” of the technology may not ‘mesh’ with employees’ pattern-recognition modalities. Employees may not realize that this ‘shiny new thing’ is still, in essence, a third-party website for which regular cybersecurity rules apply. Corporate data may end up on non-enterprise servers, which may be under-secured or not compliant with an organization’s legal mandates.

As a leader, advocate for responsible use of ChatGPT in the workplace. Inform employees about what information can be and should not be shared with chatbots. Be sure to thank everyone for their cooperation with these evolving guidelines.

Data Privacy

According to ChatGPT, “Chatbots that use ChatGPT may collect and store sensitive information, or health data. This information could potentially be accessed or stolen by unauthorized individuals, putting the privacy and security of individuals at risk.”

To ensure maximal data privacy, leverage the following insights:

• Implement access controls to limit internal access to sensitive data. Apply user controls and authentication mechanisms. Encrypt sensitive data.
• AI-based applications that use ChatGPT should be hosted on secure servers and storage systems. Ensure that your hosting and storage providers apply appropriate cybersecurity measures.
• Routinely update cybersecurity measures to fend off advanced cyber threats. Consider vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and regular updates to security policies and procedures.
• Protect sensitive data collected by chatbots and other AI-based applications.

Malware

At this point, ChatGPT’s capacity to produce malicious software code is limited, though extant. Cybercriminals can use chatbots to help them execute malicious activities and have been observed bypassing the chatbot’s safeguards.