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Oct 15, 2024
October 15 , 2024
AI is revolutionizing the way businesses operate, making processes faster, more efficient, and highly automated. But AI has its vulnerabilities like any other technology. As we integrate AI deeper into our operations, it becomes crucial to identify its security risks through threat modeling, understand AI threats such as prompt injection, and highlight why accountability and responsibility are fundamental in addressing these threats.
What is AI threat modeling?
Threat modeling is the process of identifying, understanding, and mitigating potential security risks in a system. AI threat modeling involves anticipating how attackers might exploit the AI system’s capabilities, learning how those attacks could compromise security, and implementing strategies to prevent or minimize the damage.
Let’s focus on one of the most significant attack methods that has gained attention with AI evolution.
What is prompt injection?
Prompt injection is a relatively new type of attack targeting AI systems, specifically those relying on Natural Language Processing (NLP) models like ChatGPT. The attacker manipulates the input or “prompt” given to the AI in order to get the system to perform unintended actions or reveal sensitive information.
Think of it as a kind of social engineering for AI. Just like a hacker might trick a human into revealing their password, an attacker using prompt injection tries to trick the AI into providing unauthorized information or performing unauthorized tasks.
How does prompt injection work?
Let’s consider a real-world scenario. Imagine you receive an email that appears to be from your printer manufacturer. It includes a seemingly harmless prompt asking the AI to check the printer’s status. However, there is a hidden message within this command that instructs the printer to send sensitive company data to the attacker’s server.
AI believes the command to be legitimate and inadvertently executes it, creating a significant security breach. In this scenario, the attacker doesn’t directly hack the AI. They exploit its ability to process and act on prompts without distinguishing between legitimate and malicious instructions.
Why accountability and responsibility are important?
Prompt injection attacks illustrate that AI systems are intelligent but not flawless. They are only as secure as the safeguards we put around them. This is where accountability and responsibility come into play.
Accountability
Organizations using AI must ensure they have robust security measures to guard against attacks like prompt injection attacks. This includes understanding the vulnerabilities within their AI systems and continuously monitoring for potential breaches. Accountability also extends to developers who create AI models, ensuring they build these systems with security in mind from the beginning.
Responsibility
AI’s power comes with the responsibility to use it ethically and securely. It’s essential to educate employees, partners, and customers about AI threats and mitigation strategies. Organizations must have clear policies on data protection and AI usage to prevent misuse.
The ethical use of AI is a shared responsibility. Everyone involved in developing, deploying, and interacting with AI systems must play their part in safeguarding them.
AI security is about creating a culture of awareness, responsibility, and accountability. If you’d like to dive deeper into how AI can be secured through shared responsibility, listen to the podcast episode, AI - Our Shared Responsibility. Richard Diver, a Solutions Architecture Specialist for Cloud Security, author of Guardians of AI, and Senior Manager of Story Design at Microsoft, delves into the framework of AI responsibility and breaks down the key layers of AI security.
Creating a secure AI environment is a collective effort. Make sure you do your part to protect the future of innovation.
Understanding AI Threats: Prompt Injection Attacks Understanding AI Threats: Prompt Injection Attacks
Oct 9, 2024
October 9 , 2024
HITRUST Collaborate 2024 came to a close last week and we’re still buzzing with the energy and insights shared during the event. Held over 2.5 days at the Omni Star, right at the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters, it was a remarkable gathering of industry leaders, innovators, and professionals from across the risk, compliance, and security landscape.
Here are the key takeaways from this year’s Collaborate.
A look back and forward: HITRUST’s journey
HITRUST Founder and CEO, Daniel Nutkis along with other expert panelists took the stage to delve into the evolution of HITRUST and the broader security assurance industry. They shared insights on where we have come from, where we are now, and where we are headed. The discussion emphasized the advancements in security practices and HITRUST’s pivotal role in shaping the industry’s future.
Vision 2025: Continuous assurance takes center stage
One of the most exciting sessions was led by Robert Booker, HITRUST’s Chief Strategy Officer. He unveiled HITRUST’s vision for 2025, a strategic plan focused on delivering continuous assurance to meet the growing needs of the industry. This vision highlighted how HITRUST is innovating to integrate automated evidence collection, constant monitoring, and seamless results distribution to set a clear direction for the future of risk and compliance management.
AI assurance: The future of security
AI was a hot topic at HITRUST Collaborate 2024. Numerous keynotes and sessions were centered around AI assurances, emphasizing HITRUST’s latest initiatives like the AI Risk Management Assessment and the AI Security Certification. These developments are set to provide the industry with robust tools for AI risk management, ensuring a secure transition into the AI-driven future.
Integration with ServiceNow: Enhancing third-party risk management
HITRUST announced its plan to operationalize its third-party risk management methodologies through integration with leading platforms, starting with ServiceNow. This move is designed to streamline how organizations handle assessments and risk management processes. Apply for the Private Preview Program for efficient third-party risk management.
More than just sessions: Building connections
Beyond the informative sessions, the conference was also about making personal connections. Attendees got the chance to network, exchange ideas, and even enjoy some downtime on the practice field of Dallas Cowboys with food, drinks, and giant games.
Diverse discussions: From cyber insurance to ransomware
HITRUST Collaborate 2024 featured a wide range of discussions covering topics such as cyber insurance, ransomware threats, building a resilient cybersecurity workforce, global compliance trends, and more. These sessions offered valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing today’s compliance and security landscape.
Looking ahead: HITRUST Collaborate 2025
As we wrap up this year’s event, our sights are already set on HITRUST Collaborate 2025. We’re grateful to everyone who joined us, contributed, and made this event a success. Stay tuned and subscribe to the HITRUST YouTube channel to catch glimpses and highlights from this year’s event.
We look forward to seeing you and making it even more impactful next year.
Key Takeaways from HITRUST Collaborate 2024 Key Takeaways from HITRUST Collaborate 2024
Sep 24, 2024
September 24 , 2024
Cybersecurity is often viewed through the lens of technology — firewalls, encryption, and software defenses. But true protection requires a holistic approach that integrates three key security aspects: physical, digital, and human. You need to be proficient in all three to protect your organization from the latest threats, including AI.
1. Physical security: Protecting the premises
Physical security is the foundation of any cybersecurity program. This involves securing your buildings, data centers, and equipment. It’s not just about locked doors but about access control, video surveillance, and monitoring who enters and exits your facilities. Even if you have state-of-the-art digital security, if an unauthorized person can walk into your office and plug in a USB drive, your digital defenses are meaningless.
2. Digital security: The tech shield
Digital security refers to all the technological tools and systems designed to protect sensitive data. Firewalls, encryption, and intrusion detection systems are examples of measures that safeguard your network and data. AI can also be a powerful tool in detecting cyber threats and ensuring your organization stays protected.
3. Human security: The most critical line of defense
The human element is the most overlooked yet the most crucial pillar of cybersecurity. Employees are critical in safeguarding data, but they can also be your weakest link. The best doors and digital protections are of no use if your staff isn’t trained to follow protocols.
Consider this. You’ve invested heavily in physical security and top-notch firewalls, but one of your employees clicks on a phishing email leading to malware entering your network and compromising your data. This is why focusing on just one or two pillars isn’t enough. You must implement effective measures for all three.
Employees must be trained to recognize phishing attempts and other social engineering tactics as human error often facilitates breaches.
Humans in AI security: The double-edged sword
Humans play an important role in AI security. AI can help security officers enhance their defenses. It can scan vast amounts of data, detect patterns, and alert teams about suspicious activity. On the other hand, hackers also rely on AI to speed processes and leverage advanced tactics.
Remember, the biggest threat in AI security isn’t the technology itself — it’s the people. While AI can assist, humans remain the ultimate gatekeepers. They are the ones who decide who gets access, who clicks on that email, and who follows the security protocols. To dive deeper into this topic, check out the podcast episode from Trust vs., AI’s Biggest Threat is People featuring FC, an ethical hacker and CEO of Cygenta.
The bottom line: You can’t neglect any silo
Cybersecurity is a balance of physical, digital, and human security. Neglecting any one of these will leave your organization exposed. A locked office and a top-tier antivirus won’t protect you if your employees aren’t trained to spot and avoid threats.
It’s time to reconsider your approach. Make the right investments in training your people alongside bolstering your physical and digital security.