In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, businesses are eager to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to gain a competitive edge. However, the integration of AI into business operations comes with significant cybersecurity challenges that must be addressed as a foundation for any AI implementation strategy.

As of 2025, AI has become a fundamental component of business strategies across industries. Nearly 90% of business leaders consider AI essential to their company’s strategy either to keep pace or because of FOMO. Bottom Line is that AI is transforming various aspects of business, including:

1. Predictive analytics: AI algorithms analyze vast datasets to uncover patterns and trends, informing better planning and decision-making.

2. Process automation: AI handles high-volume, repetitive tasks, freeing employees to focus on strategic thinking and creative work.

3. Customer engagement: AI enables personalized experiences and recommendations, enhancing customer satisfaction.

4. Strategic planning: AI provides real-time insights from diverse data sources, allowing for more agile and data-driven decision-making.

However, as businesses rush to adopt AI technologies, they must prioritize cybersecurity to protect against evolving threats. The integration of AI in business operations expands the attack surface and introduces new vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can exploit. AI-powered cybersecurity solutions are becoming crucial for:

1. Enhancing threat detection speed and accuracy
2. Automating routine security tasks
3. Predicting and preventing future attacks
4. Improving incident response times
5. Managing vulnerabilities more effectively

Despite these benefits, the implementation of AI in cybersecurity must be approached cautiously. Organizations need to ensure that their AI systems are secure, that data used to train AI models is protected, and that employees are trained to use AI tools safely.

You might be thinking, ‘Here we go again,’ or ‘If I had a dime every time, I’ve heard this…’ It may seem like we’re rehashing the same old story, but the truth is, these issues persist even for businesses with established cybersecurity measures.

Consider this unfortunate, but TRUE, cautionary tale:

A recent incident involving a Disney IT employee serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of cybersecurity in the AI era…

A 42-year-old Disney engineer, downloaded an AI image generation tool from GitHub to explore potential AI applications for the company. Unbeknownst to him, that the software contained malware that granted hackers access to his personal and professional accounts from Feb 2024 till the detection 5 months later.

The consequences were devastating:

1. The hacker group infiltrated Disney’s internal systems, leaking over 44 million messages containing sensitive company information and customer data.
2. Van Andel’s personal information, including his Social Security number and financial accounts, was exposed online.
3. His family’s online accounts, including his children’s Roblox logins, were compromised.
4. Van Andel lost his job at Disney following an internal investigation.

This incident highlights a crucial truth: hackers can afford to be wrong many times, but employees and businesses can only afford to be wrong once.

How to Become Less of a Target for Hackers: Actionable Steps for Businesses
How can you prevent this from happening to your business, your employees, reduce your risk exposure and become a harder target for hackers? Start with several proactive measures and confirm these measures with your IT team or Managed Service Provider (MSP) to ensure they are effectively implemented.

Easy Action Steps to Protect Company and Employee Information

1. Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Across All Systems and Accounts

• MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring two or more forms of verification (e.g., passwords, one-time codes, biometric scans) before granting access.
• According to Microsoft, MFA can block 99.9% of automated attacks, making it one of the most effective defenses against unauthorized access.

2. Establish Strict Protocols for Software Downloads and Installations
• Limit the ability to download or install software on work devices to authorized personnel only.
• Require employees to use approved tools and software vetted by IT teams to minimize exposure to malware or malicious programs.

3. Conduct Regular Cybersecurity Training for Employees
• Train all employees, including executives, on identifying phishing attempts, avoiding suspicious links, and following security protocols.
• Simulate cyberattacks (e.g., phishing tests) to assess employee readiness and reinforce key lessons.

4. Employ AI-Powered Threat Detection Systems
• Use AI tools that monitor network activity in real time and flag unusual behavior or potential threats.
• AI-driven systems can detect anomalies faster than traditional methods, enabling quicker responses to potential breaches.

5. Regularly Update and Patch All Software and Systems
• Outdated software is one of the easiest entry points for hackers. Ensure all operating systems, applications, and security tools are updated promptly.
• Automate updates wherever possible to avoid human oversight.

Additional Preventative Measures
• Avoid Using “Remember Me” Options on Sensitive Sites
• While convenient, this feature can leave accounts vulnerable if a device is compromised.
• Instead, require logins each time and use strong passwords stored securely in a password manager.

• Use Authenticator Apps Over SMS-Based Authentication
• SMS codes can be intercepted through SIM-swapping attacks. Authenticator apps provide more secure one-time codes.
• Examples include Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator.

• Consider Dedicated Devices for Sensitive Applications
• For highly sensitive tasks like banking or accessing critical business systems, use a separate device (e.g., a Chromebook) that is solely dedicated to that purpose.
• This minimizes the risk of cross-contamination from other activities like web browsing or email.

• Secure Your Wi-Fi Network
• Use encrypted Wi-Fi with strong passwords and hide your network’s SSID from public visibility.
• If employees work remotely, ensure their home networks are equally secure with firewalls enabled14.

• Control Access Privileges
• Limit employee access to only the data and systems necessary for their roles. Avoid giving administrative privileges unless absolutely required.

Conclusion
While no system is entirely foolproof against cyberattacks, businesses can make themselves significantly harder targets by implementing robust cybersecurity measures. Think of it this way: hackers only need one successful attempt to breach your defenses, but you must remain vigilant every single time. By adopting proactive strategies like MFA, employee training, secure device usage, and regular updates, you create multiple layers of defense that deter attackers.

Remember: cybersecurity isn’t just an IT responsibility—it’s everyone’s responsibility within the organization. By fostering a culture of security awareness and implementing these best practices, you can protect both your company’s sensitive information and your employees’ personal data from falling into the wrong hands.