Technology has long transformed our lives. The wheel, the printing press, the light bulb and electricity, the telephone, the PC and the Internet were all considered breakthrough innovations. Today, many are adding artificial intelligence (AI) to the list.
Centuries ago, the invention of the wheel made moving easier. Today, AI technology is being used in several different areas to streamline processes including self-automation, data analysis, customer service interaction and more.
The potential for AI is huge. Still, protecting the business digital landscape including systems and data is essential. Implementation of a powerful technology such as AI requires careful evaluation. Where will AI be used and how will it be monitored? What are the top issues that must be addressed?
Cybersecurity and data governance are two significant factors that must be implemented if AI is to be an asset rather than a hindrance.
Cybersecurity
The goal of cybersecurity is to safeguard digital assets and systems. Bad actors can exploit systems, networks and technologies, both in transit and in storage.
For example, even with typical security firewalls, a distributed-denial- of-service attack (DDoS) can overwhelm and disrupt servers, websites and online services with unwanted traffic. Authentic traffic from customers and employees is blocked and businesses suffer.
Ongoing monitoring, proactive and on-demand mitigation services, along with network traffic analytics, should be evaluated and implemented. Some key elements to include in a pro-active cybersecurity program include:
- Up-to-date software and operating systems, with the latest security patches.
- Firewalls and intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS).
- Virtual private networks (VPNs) to establish a secure connection and shield data from hacking.
- Two-factor authentication (2FA) or multi-factor authentication (MFA) encryption.
- Avoid opening email attachments from unknown senders or clicking on suspicious links.
- Strong passwords. Check out the GPC blog Summertime Is a Good Time for a Password Refreshfor more tips.
Visit the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) for more cyber threat protection information @ https://www.cisa.gov
Data Governance
Data Governance is top of mind for most in IT today. Data governance plays a crucial role in ensuring that data within an organization is well-managed, accessible, reliable and secure. With AI, you must consider data ownership and protecting your intellectual property. Ensure your employees are up to date on your organization’s security best practices and policies.
Great Plains Communications Services to Protect Your Business
GPC Cloud Connect. Access your applications in the cloud through a secure and direct private connection. 24/7 proactive network monitoring.
GPC DDoS Protection. Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Protection service is designed to detect and defend against high-volume service attacks. 24/7 automated DDoS monitoring and notifications.