Generative AI App Usage Skyrockets, Raising Security Concerns
The utilization of generative AI applications has experienced a significant surge, raising concerns about cybersecurity. Netskope, a leading cybersecurity firm, recently released new research indicating that more than one in 10 enterprise employees now access at least one generative AI app every month. This figure is a substantial increase compared to one in 50 employees the previous year.
The tremendous success of apps like ChatGPT has been credited for the exponential growth in generative AI app usage. Netskope even predicts that 2023 will be remembered as the year of generative AI, with ChatGPT emerging as the most popular app in this category.
As generative AI technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, it is anticipated that there will be a surge in power users in 2024. The top 25% of users are expected to significantly increase their adoption of generative AI, further propelling the widespread usage of these applications.
Interestingly, Netskope’s research also revealed that enterprises are now accessing an average of 20 different cloud apps, compared to 14 over the span of approximately two years. Furthermore, half of the employees interact with 11 to 33 cloud apps on a monthly basis. Alarmingly, the top 1% were found to be using over 96 different cloud apps. This growing reliance on cloud-based interactions raises concerns about potential security vulnerabilities.
In light of the increasingly pervasive online presence, Netskope identified an important insight from their research: social engineering is the most common method employed by attackers to gain initial access. Surprisingly, users are three times more likely to fall for phishing scams than to download trojans. Cybercriminals have targeted various sectors, with cloud apps and shopping sites being among their top priorities. These findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced online security measures.
The research also highlighted that criminal activities dominated the landscape of attacks in 2023, with Russian groups leading the way. In geopolitical attacks, Chinese threat actors were most prevalent, with Asian countries, particularly Singapore, being the primary targets.
Ray Canzanese, Threat Research Director for Netskope, emphasized the importance of organizations prioritizing the development of secure AI apps. He urged businesses to limit app access to legitimate purposes while investing in measures to reduce the risks associated with social engineering through security awareness.
Canzanese further commented, This trend is likely to continue in 2024, indicating that the reliance on generative AI apps and the need for robust cybersecurity measures are expected to persist and even intensify in the coming year.
In conclusion, the exponential rise in generative AI app usage has raised security concerns for enterprises. With the popularity of apps like ChatGPT, the adoption of these applications has soared, leading to an increased reliance on various cloud apps. To mitigate potential vulnerabilities, businesses must focus on secure app development and prioritize online security measures. By staying vigilant and investing in cybersecurity, enterprises can safeguard their digital ecosystems from potential threats in the evolving landscape of technology.
