ChatGPT systems can be extremely helpful tools, but they also have some critical cybersecurity challenges. Businesses and individuals should be aware of these risks so they can take steps to stay safe while using ChatGPT, particularly when it comes to work-related tasks. What are the top security challenges of ChatGPT? What solutions can users implement to use AI securely?
Security Challenges of ChatGPT
Using ChatGPT systems in the workplace comes with a few critical security challenges everyone should know. It can be a handy tool, but it’s crucial to remember it’s still a new technology. These are the security risks industry leaders are still working to address.
1. ChatGPT Is Always Learning
One of the biggest cybersecurity challenges with ChatGPT systems is the fact that it is always learning. ChatGPT is a machine learning model, so it absorbs everything users tell it. The algorithm remembers every prompt and interaction so it can use that information to inform and improve future interactions.
Unfortunately, this means nothing is truly confidential or secure with ChatGPT. Employees may input sensitive information while trying to use it for work-related purposes. In doing so, they unwittingly compromise confidentiality and expose businesses to intellectual property risks.
While ChatGPT is unlikely to repeat one user’s prompt information to another user directly, it is possible for hackers to target ChatGPT’s stores of data. In fact, in 2023, OpenAI reported a ChatGPT data breach that abused a bug in the AI’s code. OpenAI patched the bug, but similar incidents could happen in the future.
2. ChatGPT Can Create Malware
It’s widely known that ChatGPT can write code, which can come in handy for developers and non-coders alike. OpenAI also has measures in place to prevent ChatGPT from complying with requests to create malware, phishing or other harmful content.
Unfortunately, hackers and bad actors are finding ways around those restrictions. Even worse, the malware they’re creating with ChatGPT is intelligent and advanced. Numerous studies have proven it’s possible to develop polymorphic malware with ChatGPT that can even dodge antivirus programs. Polymorphic malware is particularly dangerous because it can change and adapt to evade attempts to remove it from a victim’s device.
Hackers and scammers are also using ChatGPT to generate highly realistic content for fraud and phishing. This includes fake but believable emails, text messages, ads, warnings, blogs and more.
Phishing is a cyberattack strategy that uses fake content to trick victims into giving away login credentials and other personal information. Conventional red flags for identifying phishing — such as odd grammar or spelling — are becoming less common since hackers can use ChatGPT to make higher-quality fraudulent messages.
3. ChatGPT Plug-Ins May Be Malicious
As ChatGPT has exploded in popularity, hundreds of third-party plugins have emerged for it online. Plug-ins can be tempting since they often add specific and helpful features to ChatGPT. Businesses need to be wary about using them, though.
Bad actors are using ChatGPT plug-ins to compromise user security and steal data. ChatGPT itself isn’t designed to exfiltrate data or act without a user’s permission. However, malicious plug-ins are perfectly capable of performing actions like this. In 2023, security researchers reported a proof of concept showing how ChatGPT plug-ins can steal user data.
Open AI has a library of third-party plug-ins anyone can use, but they don’t share the identity of plug-in developers. Thus, it’s difficult to determine whether plug-ins are trustworthy, especially with plug-ins from outside OpenAI’s official library.
Solutions to ChatGPT Security Risks
So, what can companies do to mitigate the cybersecurity challenges of ChatGPT systems in the workplace? There are a few solutions for addressing the top risks associated with ChatGPT.
1. Create Clear Prompt Guidelines
Every business should have clear guidelines for how employees should structure their ChatGPT prompts and what information they can include. Many workers simply don’t know the risks of giving sensitive information to ChatGPT. They falsely perceive interactions with the AI as private without realizing ChatGPT is remembering everything they say.
There are a few best practices managers can include in their ChatGPT training. For instance, experts recommend using fake names and data in prompts to protect sensitive information. This allows staff to get the help or information they need without compromising confidentiality.
It’s also important to ensure employees understand the risks of sharing sensitive information with ChatGPT. Train them on the basics of how AI and machine learning work so they have the context to make safer decisions when using large language algorithms. It may even be a good idea to give them some prompt templates to guide them toward more secure interactions with ChatGPT.
2. Continuously Update Cybersecurity Protocols
OpenAI is responsible for preventing bad actors from using ChatGPT to make malware. However, organizations can still independently take steps to address this risk. ChatGPT is making it easier to create advanced malicious code, which will likely lead to more rapid changes in the digital threat landscape.
There are a few ways businesses can stay safe while using ChatGPT systems. For example, IT personnel can implement continuous monitoring to detect potential threats as soon as possible. Experts emphasize the importance of early detection in stopping any cyberattack or data breach, which can go a long way toward keeping a company’s data safe.
Additionally, always keep any security tools, apps or programs up to date. Every update and patch counts when new cyberattacks can emerge rapidly. It may also be a good idea to be careful about allowing employees to share code with ChatGPT or use code it provides without close security screening first.
3. Carefully Review All Plug-Ins and APIs
One of the biggest cybersecurity challenges with ChatGPT systems is the risk of malicious plug-ins. Companies can minimize this threat by implementing a thorough review process for all plug-ins staff want to use with ChatGPT.
There are various tools out there for testing all kinds of plug-ins, whether for ChatGPT or any other digital service. Businesses can work with their IT security personnel to analyze a plug-in's performance, permissions and code to verify it isn’t malicious. It’s particularly important to assess the content of the code closely since hackers often use complex walls to code to hide malicious components.
This same approach applies to ChatGPT APIs, as well. Anything a business is connecting to ChatGPT should receive a thorough security screening. Remember — ChatGPT itself might be harmless, but not all plug-ins, extensions and APIs for it are safe. By taking the proper precautions, organizations can make sure they only use secure plug-ins.
Securing ChatGPT Systems
More and more teams are adopting ChatGPT today, as it’s a powerful and helpful tool for many employees. Unfortunately, it can also pose serious cybersecurity challenges. Businesses can mitigate the risks of ChatGPT by providing AI security training for workers, staying ahead of emerging cyber threats and carefully reviewing all ChatGPT plug-ins and APIs.
