We are aware that more and more business owners are asking: “Is ChatGPT safe for business use?” Especially where cybersecurity is concerned. It’s critical to understand the risks, best practices, and how to ensure your businesses safety while still harnessing the remarkable potential of AI for business.
Sensitive Data Exposure
You can unintentionally share confidential company data, customer info, or trade secrets via prompts on ChatGPT. ChatGPT retains data in its model, unless you are using enterprise-grade features with data controls are applied.
Compliance and Data Governance
Complying with GDPR, CCPA, and other data privacy frameworks may be violated if personal or regulated information is shared on ChatGPT. You need clear policies on what is and isn’t shared with any AI model, this becomes much more difficult with ChatGPT.
Phishing and Social Engineering
Prompts may unintentionally train the model on your internal structures, workflows, or phrasing which can be used in a malicious way If these outputs are leaked, attackers can craft more convincing phishing attacks using that style or information
Dependency & Model Hallucination
ChatGPT can generate misleading or incorrect outputs (“hallucinations”). Decisions based solely on these outputs, without human verification, can lead to business errors or security gaps.
Account & API Security
Weak access controls while using ChatGPT or Copilot accounts may expose API keys or chat logs, Insufficient logging and monitoring can increase your risk of unauthorised use.
Worried that employees using ChatGPT has already impacted your business security?
We’re offering a free “Dark Web Scan” to all businesses in the UK.
This dark web scan will provide you with a detailed list of all emails and passwords that have comprised credentials.
You will receive a secure PDF report showing all emails and passwords that have been leaked giving you a proactive starting point for securing your business accounts.
Unlike general ChatGPT access, Microsoft Copilot for Business is designed with business security in mind, here’s how:
First you will need to enable tenant-wide governance via the Microsoft 365 admin center.
You will then need to define and enforce data loss prevention (DLP) policies with Microsoft Purview, focusing on high-risk content (PII, financial data, proprietary formulas).
Restrict access: only provide Copilot access to roles where it adds value, and only on approved devices.
Apply sensitivity labels and encryption to documents and emails, Copilot respects these policies.
Monitor usage: review logs to detect unusual queries or patterns that might indicate misuse or abuse.
Train employees: educate users on safe AI usage, including not pasting sensitive data into prompts
To ensure AI like ChatGPT or Copilot fits securely into your environment, update your IT policy:
Need an IT policy created for your business that includes AI?
Download our free IT policy template to get started, this includes everything you need to include within an effective IT policy.
Need extra help? Contact our team for help and advice now!
ChatGPT can be a powerful business tool but not without risk when used casually therefore we suggest you use Microsoft Copilot for Business because it offers greater security, management, and compliance alignment within a corporate IT environment.
By Implementing robust governance, DLP, access controls, and user education is essential. Updating your IT policy to govern AI will ensure responsible adoption now and in the future as well as highlighting this as an essential risk to your business IT.
For business owners worried about AI’s risks, especially around cybersecurity the safer path is institutionalising AI use through trusted platforms like Microsoft Copilot for Business, paired with careful governance and training. This ensures you unlock AI’s benefits and maintain your security posture.
Anne-Marie Blazdell is a Marketing & Communications Manager with expertise in digital marketing, content creation, and IT solutions. With a strong foundation in graphic design, she trained at Farnborough College of Technology and Southampton Solent University before advancing into marketing and business IT support.
Since joining Syn-Star in 2022, Anne-Marie has specialised in crafting SEO-optimised website content, managing social media, and helping businesses navigate the complexities of IT. Her work bridges the gap between technology and business, making IT more accessible and effective.
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