Why You Need Secure AI  

In the digital world, artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a key part of how businesses operate. From automating routine tasks to providing valuable insights, AI is changing the way we work. However, with great power comes great responsibility. As AI becomes more integrated into our daily lives, ensuring its security is more important than ever. This article explores why secure AI is crucial and how it can protect our digital world. 

Understanding Secure AI 

Secure AI means having strong security measures to protect AI systems from threats and vulnerabilities. These measures are designed to safeguard the integrity, data, and confidentiality of your systems. As AI continues to advance, so do the tactics of cyber criminals. Therefore, it is essential to develop and maintain secure AI systems to prevent malicious attacks and ensure the safe use of AI applications. 

The Importance of Secure AI 

• Protection of Financial Data: Accountants handle sensitive financial data, including client financial statements, tax returns, and payroll information. A secure AI model ensures that this data is protected from breaches and unauthorised access, maintaining client trust and complying with data protection regulations. 

• Maintaining Professional Reputation: Any security breach or misuse of AI can severely damage an accountant’s professional reputation. Clients expect their financial data to be handled responsibly, and any failure to do so can lead to loss of trust and business. A secure AI model helps in safeguarding the accountant’s reputation by preventing such incidents. 

• Compliance with Regulations: There are stringent data protection laws and regulations, such as GDPR, that mandate the secure handling of personal and financial data. A secure AI model ensures compliance with these regulations, avoiding legal penalties and ensuring ethical use of data. 

• Preventing Fraud and Errors: Secure AI models are less susceptible to manipulation and errors. This is important in accounting to ensure that the AI-driven insights and decisions are accurate and reliable, leading to better financial management and reporting. 

• Enhancing Client Trust: When clients know that their financial data is being handled securely, they are more likely to engage with the accountant and share their information. This trust is essential for building long-term client relationships and for the success of the accountant’s practice. 

Having a secure AI model is essential for accountants to protect sensitive financial data, maintain professional reputation, comply with regulations, prevent fraud and errors, and enhance client trust. This ultimately leads to more effective and ethical accounting practices. 

The Importance of Having an AI Policy 

Implementing an AI policy is crucial alongside technical security measures. An AI policy provides a framework for ethical and secure AI development, deployment, and use.  

Key reasons include: 

• Guidance and Accountability: Sets clear guidelines, ensuring everyone understands their roles and responsibilities, thus preventing misuse. 

• Risk Management: Identifies potential risks and mitigation strategies to address security and ethical concerns, reducing security breaches. 

• Compliance: Ensures AI systems comply with laws and regulations, as governments increasingly legislate AI use. 

• Public Trust: Enhances public trust in AI by showing commitment to ethical and secure practices, encouraging user adoption. 

For more detailed guidance on developing an AI policy, you can refer to the AI Code of Practice published by the UK government. 

 

The Risks of Using Open AI Models Data Handling

Open AI models like ChatGPT often use public data to train their models. This means that any data inputted into these models can potentially be used to improve the AI, which may lead to privacy concerns. 

Data Storage: These models may store data for longer periods and use it for continuous learning. This can expose sensitive information if not managed properly. 

Privacy Controls: While some open AI models offer privacy controls, they may not be as stringent as those implemented by Microsoft. Users need to be cautious about the data they input into these models. 

 

Benefits of Using a Secure AI Model 

Microsoft Copilot is designed with a strong emphasis on data security and privacy. Here’s how it compares to other open AI models: 

Microsoft Copilot: 

Data Handling: Microsoft Copilot processes data within the secure boundaries of the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. It accesses content and context through Microsoft Graph, ensuring that data remains within the organisational environment. 

Data Storage: Copilot stores prompt data, response data, and interaction logs for up to 30 days for service improvement purposes. This data is stored securely within Microsoft’s cloud infrastructure. 

Privacy Controls: Microsoft Copilot adheres to strict privacy standards such as GDPR and CCPA. It does not use user-specific data to train the AI model, ensuring that sensitive information is not exposed. 

By understanding the difference between Open AI models and Secure AI models, organisations can make informed decisions about which AI tools to use, balancing functionality with data security and privacy. 

 

The Future of Secure AI 

As AI continues to evolve, so will the challenges associated with securing it. Not only do you need to ensure applications are secure but also configured properly. The future of secure AI lies in the development of advanced security technologies and the adoption of a proactive security mindset. By prioritising security in the design and deployment of AI systems, we can harness the full potential of AI while safeguarding our digital data. 

Real-Life Examples  

It’s important to note that roughly 80% of your team are already using AI, which highlights the need for a robust AI policy to secure both you and your clients’ data. No firm is too big or too small for malicious actors to target. For instance, a small accounting firm might use AI to automate invoicing and financial reporting. Without proper security measures, sensitive client information could be at risk. On the other hand, a large corporation using AI for customer service could face significant breaches if their AI systems are not secure. Having a secure AI model is the best way to move with the AI wave but to also mitigate the risk.  

To ensure your digital infrastructure is secure, consider booking a Technical Alignment with Lugo. Lugo can help you navigate the complexities of your technical landscape and help secure it and provide tailored solutions to protect your digital assets.  

Visit our hub at the Practice Conference to discuss different aspects of AI, including the implementation of Microsoft Copilot into your practice. 

In conclusion, secure AI is not just a technical necessity but a fundamental aspect of responsible AI development. By understanding the importance of secure AI and implementing robust security measures, we can ensure that AI technologies continue to benefit society without compromising safety and trust. To find out more on how Lugo can help you and your firm book a free discovery call.