AI Security Risks: Protecting Sensitive Data with Alec Crawford

AI Security in High-Risk Sectors

In a recent conversation, Alec and I dove into the critical role of AI security, especially in high-risk sectors like healthcare and banking. Alec stressed that AI must be secure and aligned with business strategies while ensuring governance, risk management, regulatory compliance, and cybersecurity remain top priorities. I couldn’t agree more—AI in the wrong hands or without proper safeguards is a ticking time bomb. Sensitive data needs protection, and businesses must stay ahead of evolving regulations. We also touched on the growing need for private AI solutions, given the rising threats of cyberattacks like prompt injections.

Cybersecurity and AI in Organizations

Our discussion expanded into cybersecurity and AI adoption within organizations. Unvetted AI solutions pose significant risks, making internal development and continuous monitoring essential. Alec’s company, Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc., deploys private AI within clients' firewalls, reinforcing security through governance and compliance measures. One key takeaway? Awareness is everything. Many organizations jump into AI without securing their systems first. I was particularly interested in the “aha moments” Alec’s clients experience when they see AI-driven security solutions in action.

AI Governance and Confidentiality Concerns

Alec shared a governance issue where a company implemented Microsoft Copilot—only to discover it unintentionally exposed confidential employee data. This highlighted a major concern: AI needs strict guardrails. Alec advocated for a “belt and suspenders” approach—limiting system access, assigning AI agents to specific groups, and avoiding over-reliance on super users who could inadvertently misuse AI. The lesson? AI governance isn’t optional; it’s a necessity.

AI Applications in Call Centers

AI’s potential spans across industries, and call centers are a prime example. Alec described a client who leveraged AI to analyze 150,000 call transcripts, leading to a 30% reduction in call length and an additional 30% drop in overall call volume—all thanks to AI-driven website improvements. Beyond customer service, AI is making waves in investment research, analyzing earnings calls and regulatory filings. I even shared a fun hypothetical—using AI to predict the Toronto Blue Jays’ performance—proving that AI’s applications go beyond business into fields like sports analytics.

AI Adoption, Security, and Privacy

Wrapping up, Alec and I discussed the double-edged sword of AI adoption. While AI presents massive opportunities, it also comes with security, ethical, and privacy risks. Alec emphasized the need for strong leadership in AI implementation, ensuring data quality remains a top priority. I pointed out that the fear of missing out (FOMO) on AI can lead companies to make reckless decisions—often at the cost of security. Alec’s company specializes in AI security solutions that safeguard against data breaches and attacks on Large Language Models, reinforcing the importance of a strategic, security-first approach to AI adoption.

 

Alec Crawford is Founder & CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc., a company that accelerates enterprise Gen AI adoption - safely. He has been working with AI since the 1980’s when he built neutral networks from scratch for his Harvard senior thesis. He is a thought leader for Gen AI with a blog at aicrisk.com and podcast called AI Risk Reward. He has more than 30 years of experience on Wall Street with his last role being Partner and Chief Risk Officer for Investments at Lord Abbett.

linkedin.com/in/aleccrawford

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