Generative AI and Data Leakage Risks

Other → Technological Risk
| 2025-11-05 19:28:05

Introduction Slide – Generative AI and Data Leakage Risks

Understanding the New Frontier of Data Security

Overview

  • Generative AI tools are transforming business operations but introduce new data leakage risks due to their reliance on vast datasets and user inputs.
  • Understanding these risks is critical for organizations to safeguard sensitive information, comply with regulations, and maintain trust.
  • This presentation will cover key risk drivers, real-world trends, analytical frameworks, and mitigation strategies for generative AI data leakage.
  • Key insights include the rise of shadow AI, increased breach costs, and the importance of AI-specific DLP and governance controls.

Key Discussion Points – Generative AI and Data Leakage Risks

Drivers and Implications of Generative AI Data Leakage

    Main Points

    • Generative AI tools often process sensitive data, increasing exposure risks through unintended sharing, insecure model training, and adversarial attacks.
    • Shadow AI use—employees leveraging unapproved tools—creates blind spots and exposes organizations to data breaches and compliance violations.
    • Recent studies show that 67% of employees share internal data with generative AI without authorization, and 40% of uploaded files contain PII or PCI data.
    • Implications include higher breach costs (up to 28% more than conventional breaches), regulatory penalties, and reputational damage.

Graphical Analysis – Generative AI Data Flow and Exposure

Visualizing Data Exposure Pathways in Generative AI

Context and Interpretation

  • This sequence diagram illustrates how data moves from users to generative AI platforms, highlighting potential exposure points.
  • Trends show that copy/paste actions and unmanaged accounts are the primary vectors for data leakage.
  • Risk considerations include lack of visibility, unsecured data handling, and the challenge of monitoring personal versus corporate accounts.
  • Key insights: Most leaks occur via unmanaged endpoints, and traditional security controls often miss these threats.
Figure: Data Flow and Exposure in Generative AI
sequenceDiagram
participant User as "Employee"
participant AI as "GenAI Tool"
participant ThirdParty as "Third-Party Vendor"
User->>AI: Paste Sensitive Data
AI->>ThirdParty: Process Data
alt Data Shared
ThirdParty->>User: Return Output
else Data Leaked
ThirdParty->>External: Expose Data
end
Note over AI: Exposure Risk

Graphical Analysis – Generative AI Data Leakage Trends

Context and Interpretation

  • This bar chart visualizes the rise in GenAI-related data security incidents from 2023 to 2025, showing a sharp increase in DLP incidents.
  • Trends indicate that GenAI-related incidents now account for 14% of all data security incidents in SaaS environments.
  • Risk considerations include the proliferation of unsanctioned tools and the lack of clear AI usage policies.
  • Key insights: Organizations face a growing challenge in monitoring and controlling GenAI usage, with incident rates more than doubling in early 2025.
Figure: GenAI-Related DLP Incidents (2023–2025)
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Analytical Summary & Table – Generative AI Risk Factors

Breakdown of Key Generative AI Data Leakage Risk Factors

Key Discussion Points

  • Major risk factors include shadow AI use, unsecured model training, unintended data sharing, and adversarial threats.
  • Contextual interpretation: Each factor contributes to increased breach likelihood and regulatory exposure.
  • Significance: Organizations must prioritize AI-specific DLP, private AI deployments, and granular usage policies.
  • Assumptions: Data reflects current enterprise environments; limitations include evolving regulatory landscapes.

Illustrative Data Table

Key risk factors and their impact on data leakage.

Risk FactorImpact LevelPrevalenceMitigation Strategy
Shadow AI UseHigh66 apps/orgPolicy enforcement
Unsecured Model TrainingHigh40% files leak PIIData anonymization
Unintended Data SharingMedium67% employees share dataAI-specific DLP
Adversarial ThreatsMediumEmergingRegular audits

Analytical Explanation & Formula – Generative AI Risk Modeling

Quantitative Framework for Generative AI Data Leakage Risk

Concept Overview

  • The risk of data leakage in generative AI can be modeled as a function of exposure, vulnerability, and threat likelihood.
  • This formula helps organizations quantify and prioritize risks for mitigation planning.
  • Key parameters include data sensitivity, model security, and user behavior.
  • Practical implications: The model can guide resource allocation and policy development for AI risk management.

General Formula Representation

The general relationship for this analysis can be expressed as:

$$ R = E \times V \times T $$

Where:

  • \( R \) = Risk of data leakage.
  • \( E \) = Exposure (data sensitivity).
  • \( V \) = Vulnerability (model security).
  • \( T \) = Threat likelihood (user behavior).

This form can represent statistical models, optimization functions, or analytical relationships across different domains such as risk modeling, forecasting, or simulation.

Code Example: Generative AI and Data Leakage Risks

Code Description

This Python code demonstrates a basic approach to detecting sensitive data in user inputs before sending them to a generative AI model, helping to prevent data leakage.

import re

def detect_sensitive_data(text):
    # Define patterns for PII
    patterns = [
        r'\b\d{3}-\d{2}-\d{4}\b',  # SSN
        r'\b\d{16}\b',              # Credit card
        r'\b[A-Za-z0-9._%+-]+@[A-Za-z0-9.-]+\.[A-Z|a-z]{2,}\b'  # Email
    ]
    for pattern in patterns:
        if re.search(pattern, text):
            return True
    return False

# Example usage
user_input = "My SSN is 123-45-6789"
if detect_sensitive_data(user_input):
    print("Sensitive data detected!")
else:
    print("No sensitive data found.")

Conclusion

Summarize and conclude.

  • Generative AI introduces significant data leakage risks, including shadow AI use, unsecured model training, and unintended data sharing.
  • Organizations must adopt AI-specific DLP, private AI deployments, and clear usage policies to mitigate these risks.
  • Key notes: Regular audits, employee training, and regulatory compliance are essential for safe AI adoption.
  • Recommendations: Stay informed about emerging threats and leverage quantitative risk models to guide mitigation strategies.
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