Protegrity Elections – The Future of AI and Data Security

Following the success of the Labour Party a big theme they must contend with in the coming years is Artificial Intelligence (AI). In their manifestos both Labour and Conservative committed to facilitating growth in the UK AI sector through tactics such as building more data centres and driving adoption in the public and business sectors. However as both parties are aware, the ascent of AI will increase the occurrence of AI-based attacks from bad actors, and as such increased cyber security measures must be a priority.

Gartner states that approximately 80% of enterprises will have used Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), or models by 2026. As AI is a disruptor and presents breakthroughs in the ability to process logic differently, it is attracting attention from businesses and consumers alike, which creates the potential for their data to be put at risk. Meanwhile, the cybercrime industry will be quickly adopting AI technologies, informing more innovative AI-based attacks. As such, through 2024 there may continue to be an increase in AI-based attacks until businesses and government bodies can put in place robust and ethical AI cyber-security measures. The importance at this time will be in employing safe data practices so private information is always protected.

This drives the need for stringent data privacy controls and regulations to safeguard individual information and ensure that even when using AI, an individual’s data is not exposed publicly, and bad actors won’t have easy access to it. Protegrity advocates for a data-centric approach as the best approach. If organisations identify what data they have, what’s important, and who needs to see it, they can restrict access and anonymise sensitive data through processes such as encryption. Further, if the correct preventative measures are taken by using safe data privacy practices, training employees in safe AI use, and adopting an internal zero-trust approach, people and businesses will no longer be viewed as relevant targets to hackers.

With several data protection methods available to companies today, the value of AI technologies can be leveraged with peace of mind that personal data remains safe and secure. This will enable businesses to experience the benefits AI brings to improving workflows, decision making, and the overall customer experience.