Why Generative AI Companies Need to Program For AI Hacks

It’s no secret the rise of artificial intelligence has drastically reshaped many industries. Approximately 33% of small businesses estimate they’ve saved at least 40 minutes per week from using AI or automation. This is great news for generative AI companies, as their clientele is expanding faster than ever.

However, there are various AI threats these businesses should understand. Let’s explore some of the most notable you should know about.

Prompt Injection Attacks

The primary way hackers target generative AI companies is through prompt injection attacks. These could be direct or indirect. During direct attacks, the hacker attempts to make generative AI software answer a prompt in an unfavorable way.

For instance, let’s assume somebody used this software to learn how they can protect their online bank account. A hacker could make the AI provide information that reduces the account’s security instead of increasing it. Sometimes, hackers attempt to cause distress by forcing AI to reply with harmful answers or hate speech.

This can significantly damage the generative AI company’s reputation. Indirect attacks are much more dangerous. When a user enters a prompt, a third party can provide instructions. This occurs when a hacker compromises a generative AI company’s user response functionality. For context, imagine a user asked an AI program how to create a social media account. The third-party could provide instructions that compromise the user’s password and personal information.

How Hackers Learn From Generative AI

Unfortunately, the efficacy of AI responses allows hackers to hone their techniques. Cybercriminals frequently use AI software to make improvements to their methods.

In some cases, they could use AI to develop malware from the ground up. Generative AI aims to provide clear, useful information to users’ inquiries.

It doesn’t always differentiate between right and wrong. The issue here is that hackers don’t require manual research to develop malicious software. It can sometimes take only minutes to create malware that targets hundreds or thousands of users.

This also allows amateur hackers to achieve substantial results. Depending on the software they use, someone with minimal coding knowledge could create top-tier malware. In the past, it took hackers months or even years to develop something complex like ransomware.

A major concern is the rise in hacker volume. As more people begin to use effective software, the number of victims could increase exponentially. Generative AI companies should anticipate nefarious uses of their applications.

Predicting malicious behavior goes a long way toward preventing hackers from leveraging this tool. Businesses should take action as soon as possible. The cybercrime industry is projected to cost the world over $10 trillion USD by the end of 2025.

Protecting Your Generative AI Business

It can seem overwhelming at first to safeguard your intellectual property. The good news is that the necessary measures are simpler than they seem. Listed below are some of the most notable ways to defend against AI attacks.

Keep Your Software Updated

Hackers prey upon outdated software. These applications have security weak points that criminals can easily bypass.

In many cases, this allows them to gain access undetected. It’s not uncommon for companies with lax security policies to suffer from attacks for weeks at a time. Ensure you regularly update your software to prevent issues like these.

This also includes third-party plugins. If a developer no longer supports a plug-in, you should choose an alternative.

As time goes on, using an unsupported plugin becomes riskier. If you can’t find an alternative, abandoning the plugin is best. Even a single incident could substantially harm your business.

Don’t Rely Solely on Monitoring

Active monitoring shouldn’t be your only defense. This is reactive instead of proactive.

Instead, use human input to take action. Have a policy in place that dictates how you respond to certain incidents.

The more foresight you have, the easier it will be to adapt. Monitoring is great for identifying issues as long as your team can resolve them.

Stay Agile

Your company should be highly agile. This lets you handle contingencies without mitigating efficiency. It also helps you better serve your users.

To clarify, imagine if your company frequently experienced downtime. Users would likely choose a competitor instead.

Internal communication and transparency can improve agility. Your teams should work together to keep things running smoothly.

Train Your Employees

Employee training can substantially reduce the risk of hackers compromising your software. They’ll understand how to recognize suspicious activity. They can also take action appropriately when necessary.

Since threats are always developing, it’s best to reassess your training multiple times per year. Be open to constructive employee feedback.

our workers might have insights you’re unaware of. With enough due diligence, you can develop a comprehensive security policy.

Work with a Professional

The best step you can take to protect your company is to work with a professional. They have the tools and resources to meet your needs.

When looking for someone to work with, examine their past reputation. There should be no shortage of positive reviews praising their services. Make sure they typically work with businesses like yours.

The last thing you want is to hire someone who doesn’t understand your company’s structure or goals. Explore their pricing structure, as well. They should have no issue providing a detailed breakdown of expenses.

This will prevent financial surprises from arising. Only work with providers that have robust customer support policies. No matter how well you safeguard your business, complications can arise.

Overcoming issues on your own is often impractical, and it can even be impossible. Assess how interested they seem in working for your company. If they aren’t enthusiastic, keep searching elsewhere.