Over 22% of respondents’ organisations did not have a responsible use policy in place at time of survey
KnowBe4 has today released part three of its Infosecurity Europe 2024 survey findings. It surveyed 201 cybersecurity professionals to gain a deeper understanding and measure the sentiment surrounding the use of AI in today’s climate.
It was revealed that over a quarter (27%) of security experts perceive AI (Artificial Intelligence) and deepfakes to be the biggest cybersecurity threats to their organisations currently. The use of AI by malicious actors has been witnessed in recent times, particularly with the creation of sophisticated malware and the improvement of phishing techniques, making these attacks more efficient, harder to detect and more damaging for organisations.
“AI and deepfakes are the latest tools in the arsenal of cybercriminals, primarily used in social engineering campaigns,” said Javvad Malik, lead security awareness advocate KnowBe4. “While the technology itself is undeniably impressive, it’s crucial to recognise that the real threat lies in how these tools are wielded to manipulate and deceive unsuspecting individuals. We must invest in helping individuals make better security decisions, providing them with the knowledge and tools they need to identify and avoid potential threats.”
The threat of AI is widely acknowledged within the cybersecurity sector, however, it is concerning that almost a third (31%) of security professionals admitted to not having a ‘responsible use’ policy on using Generative AI (GenAI) within the company currently in place.
Other key findings on GenAI use policies within organisations include:
- Almost one in ten respondents (9%) have policies in place but know employees are still using GenAI carelessly
- Only two in five (41%) have policies that have been agreed and signed by employees
- One in ten (10%) have policies in place but know users have not agreed or signed them yet
- Over a third (38%) of security professionals have witnessed employees using GenAI at work and 31% have admitted to using it themselves
Many organisations have already adopted GenAI tools like OpenAI and ChatGPT to boost efficiency and productivity but there are still concerns with this technology. They can inadvertently generate or expose sensitive data if not properly managed and any misuse can lead to unauthorised access, data breaches, and the spread of misinformation.
“As AI becomes increasingly integrated into business processes, organisations must establish clear guidelines and policies around its responsible use,” said Malik. “This includes considering the ethical implications of AI, ensuring transparency and accountability, and mitigating potential biases or unintended consequences.”
To view the survey findings, click here.
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