Northeast Ohio business owners face a rapidly evolving digital threat landscape. As hackers using AI become more sophisticated, the consequences of a data breach go far beyond a temporary IT headache; they frequently result in severe financial losses and complex legal liabilities. With the rise of artificial intelligence, securing your data requires more than just standardized antivirus software; it demands a comprehensive, multi-layered cybersecurity strategy.
The Risk AI Brings to Cybersecurity Measures
With artificial intelligence taking the world by storm, businesses are eagerly adopting it without truly understanding the use of AI in IT security. This rush to implement AI without first adopting strict internal use policies opens up massive security vulnerabilities. Routine collaboration platforms and digital hubs such as Microsoft SharePoint, Google Drive, and daily email accounts frequently become unsecured access points if left unchecked. When businesses leave these access points unprotected, it’s not a matter of possibility; they will be exploited by malicious actors, highlighting exactly how hackers use AI against organizations.
One of the most significant hidden cyber threats of unchecked AI adoption is accidental data exfiltration, the unauthorized transfer, leak, or theft of sensitive company information from your secure network to an outside location. Employees frequently input proprietary company data into free versions of tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, etc., unaware that this sensitive information is absorbed into the public domain to train large language models (LLMs). When considering if AI can be hacked, it is worth noting that these platforms have their own deep vulnerabilities; AI models have even been documented breaking out of their testing environments to hack other companies. While those AI platforms face their own complex threats, autonomous AI-backed bots are simultaneously scanning the internet to discover and exploit your security holes, executing attacks independently without needing a human hacker to pull the trigger. Avoiding this outcome is why establishing a robust data governance policy is critical.
Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) Cybersecurity Solution
As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is emerging as another important layer that organizations can consider as part of a broader cybersecurity strategy. SASE combines network security and access controls to help protect users, devices, applications, and data regardless of where they are connecting from. Summit IT Solutions utilizes iboss as a SASE platform when this additional level of protection is appropriate for a client’s environment.
iboss provides deep inspection of network traffic by analyzing data moving to and from devices before allowing it to continue to its destination. This capability can strengthen Data Loss Prevention (DLP) by helping organizations monitor the use of AI tools, identify potentially sensitive information being transmitted, and restrict users from moving protected data to unauthorized AI platforms, personal cloud storage, or other external services. When combined with endpoint protection, email security, monitoring, security awareness training, and other cybersecurity controls, SASE can provide an additional layer of visibility and protection for an organization’s data.
Monitor. Restrict Access. Protect Your Business with Summit IT Solutions
While implementing a SASE architecture is highly effective, no single tool or product can independently guarantee complete safety. To secure your business operations, you must recognize where your vulnerabilities lie and deploy comprehensive protocols that defend the vulnerable access points we identified earlier. Because your employees rely on digital hubs like SharePoint, Google Drive, and daily email accounts every single day, they remain prime targets for unauthorized access and data exfiltration without layered defenses.
iboss acts as the main tool that monitors everything flowing in and out of your network, ensuring those vulnerable endpoints remain secure. However, iboss is just one piece of the puzzle. Summit IT Solutions employs a multi-tiered Cybersecurity as a Service (CSaaS) stack, acting as a protective, multi-layer bubble around your business. If one layer is breached, another layer immediately serves as a backup to prevent further attack.
Because a staggering 93% of all security breaches start with just an email, Summit IT Solutions starts with implementing strict protocols and layered defenses to protect your business from these phishing attempts or compromised accounts. Your customized stack can include:
- Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) & Anti-Virus: These essential protocols monitor endpoints continuously, working alongside traditional anti-virus software to catch and quarantine suspicious behavior before it spreads.
- Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) for Email: This adds a crucial layer of filtering to intercept malicious attachments, AI-enhanced impersonation and deepfake scams, and autonomous bot threats.
- Managed Security Operations Center (SOC): A managed SOC continuously ingests telemetry data from all deployed tools 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
- Rapid Incident Response SOC: While the SOC continuously monitors for active threats, rapid response takes it a step further, reacting to incidents actively unfolding, often initiating contact in less than 5 minutes.
- Security Awareness Training: We ensure your personnel are educated against risky actions, reducing the overall likelihood of human error when navigating modern scams.
Don’t wait for a breach to realize the gaps in your network. Contact our team today to learn how business owners can improve cybersecurity with Summit IT Solutions.