The world is entering a new era of limitless possibilities with Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), revolutionizing innovation with countless applications. As technology rapidly transforms businesses and the world, it is essential to share how generative AI can be used safely. Regardless of your AI solutions, this article will help you use AI safely and responsibly, keeping data secure and private.
Microsoft has adopted a holistic approach to generative AI security, considering the technology, its users, and society at large in four areas of protection:
- Data privacy and ownership
With transparent data protection and privacy policies, Microsoft ensures that customer data remains private. Thus, the customer retains control over their information, which will never be used to train foundational models or shared with OpenAI or other Microsoft customers without the user’s authorized permission.
- Transparency and accountability
Generative AI sometimes makes mistakes. To ensure that the content created by generative AI is credible, it is essential that AI:
- uses accurate and authorized data sources;
- shows reasoning and sources to maintain transparency;
- encourages open dialogue with the provisiono feedback.
- User guidelines and policies
To mitigate over-reliance, Microsoft encourages users to reflect on the information provided by generative AI, using carefully considered language and referencing cited sources. Additionally, Microsoft is vigilant about the misuse of AI, ensuring that users do not engage it in harmful actions, such as generating dangerous code or instructions for building a weapon. Thus, it has incorporated deep security protocols into the system, establishing clear limits on what AI can and cannot do to maintain a safe and responsible usage environment.
To prepare for threats to generative AI, Microsoft has updated the SDL Threat Modeling requirement to consider specific AI and machine learning threats. Additionally, it logs and monitors interactions with its large language models (LLMs) to identify threats. Microsoft subjects all generative AI products to various security tests to look for vulnerabilities and ensure they have appropriate mitigation strategies in place.
Secure AI for everyone
Adoption rates and demand for AI applications continue to grow exponentially. This can be a strategic move that can enhance an organization and make teams more efficient. Here’s how to get started:
- Step 1 – Implement a Zero Trust security model
The
Zero Trust security model uses advanced intelligence and analytics to ensure that every access request is fully authenticated, authorized, and encrypted before granting access. Instead of assuming that everything behind the corporate firewall is secure, the Zero Trust model assumes the possibility of breach and verifies each request as if it originated from an open network.
- Step 2 – Adopt cyber hygiene standards
The Microsoft 2023 Digital Defense Report shows that basic security hygiene still protects against 99% of attacks. Meeting minimum cyber hygiene standards is essential to protect against cyber threats, minimize risks, and ensure the ongoing viability of the business.
- Step 3 - Establish a data security and protection plan
For the current environment, a defense-in-depth approach offers the best protection to strengthen data security. There are five components to this strategy, all of which can be implemented in the order that best suits a company’s unique needs and potential regulatory requirements.
- Step 4 - Establish na AI governance framework
For organizations to be prepared for AI, they must implement processes, controls, and accountability frameworks that govern data privacy, security, and the development of AI systems, including the implementation of responsible AI standards.
Make the most of Artificial Intelligence, but do it safely!
