September 22, 2023

Fortifying Security and Privacy when Using Large Language Models

By Thomas Becke · 3 minute read

From customer service to content generation to data analysis, LLMs (Large Language Models) are simultaneously disrupting and transforming business operations, bringing unprecedented speed, efficiency, and agility to the table. It’s like every employee in your company can now have a highly efficient and knowledgeable personal assistant at their disposal 24/7. Needless to say, LLMs and LLM-based applications are becoming indispensable to the corporate world. You can either adapt or risk falling behind!

However, let’s not forget that LLMs are data-hungry behemoths thriving on the troves of data users feed them. And when sensitive and proprietary data gets involved, caution is a must. Amid tightening regulatory environments, the security and privacy implications of LLM usage in corporate environments deserve closer scrutiny.

Last week, we took a deep dive exploring the risk landscape of LLMs. Today, we’ll explore how businesses can maintain and fortify their security and privacy while harnessing the infinite power of LLMs.

1. Avoid Outright Bans

An upfront ban on LLMs is certainly easier than establishing fair use policies and monitoring compliance. However, bear in mind that employees will find ways to circumvent these blocks. And when they do, things can get far messier.

Unsanctioned or rogue use means that employees may use nascent or dubious LLM services instead of the more established and reliable ones. They can use unauthorized personal devices to access banned services from within the office premises. Or they can also use shady APIs and proxies to bypass firewall rules.

Such workarounds can proliferate your otherwise robust security perimeter and add to your cybersecurity woes. So, it’s crucial to appreciate that LLM resistance will only exacerbate the underlying risks.

2. Choose Secure and Compliant Vendors

Not all LLM products are equal. The LLM market is brimming with LLMs and LLM-based apps and services, each with different data handling and cybersecurity practices. For instance, some off-the-shelf LLM tools may simply send data over to ChatGPT’s servers for processing, while Ayfie products store and process customer data within our own secure infrastructure and never expose it to any third party.

The first step to selecting suitable vendors and applications is evaluating your own risk tolerance. This entails gauging how much risk you are willing to assume in your quest to harness the value of LLMs within your organization. Evaluate your specific security and compliance needs. Consider factors like compliance, encryption standards, and the level of access control required.

Based on these insights, invest time in market evaluations, and read the Terms of Service and Privacy policies of multiple vendors before making a choice. Opt for providers whose values and policies align with yours. Enterprise use entails enterprise-grade products that adhere to security standards like data minimization, data anonymization, encryption, and RBAC. Businesses operating in highly regulated industries like healthcare or finance must also ensure compliance with region or industry-specific regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, etc.

3. Establish Acceptable Use Policies and Guidelines

Acceptable Use Policies (AUPs) can delineate guidelines for appropriate, safe, and responsible LLM use within organizations. AUPs should specify when and how employees can use LLMs for business use cases. They should restrict corporate LLM usage to vetted LLM applications and approved work purposes only. Ultimately, it will be up to the employees to use these tools responsibly and ethically. So, it’s equally important to educate employees about the potential risks associated with LLM use and the ramifications of violating the AUPs.

4. Enact Strict RBAC Policies

Different job roles demand different level of access to corporate data and resources. Nothing beats the importance of implementing the principle of least privilege — employees get access to only the data they absolutely need - and role-based access controls (RBAC). Considering that certain LLM applications may be processing sensitive data, make sure that your vetted applications respect and integrate your company’s access control policies.

It’s one of our key differentiators here at Ayfie — we have more than 10 years of experience in adapting to and incorporating corporate security policies. We’re AD compliant, which means you can simply integrate your existing access control policies with Ayfie and your data silos will remain intact even within the Ayfie platform. That means, Ayfie users get search results and insights only from the data they’re authorized to access.

5. Ensure Encrypted Communications with LLMs

Ensuring the security of your sensitive data during transit is just as crucial as it is at rest. Encrypting data before sharing it with LLMs can help protect it from unauthorized access. Make sure that the LLM tools and applications you choose use SSL/TLS encryption to prevent malicious actors from intercepting any sensitive data or communications with the LLM.

Striking the Right Balance Between LLM Utility and Privacy

Looking ahead, LLM integration within the corporate landscape is a tide that’s unlikely to recede. The sooner businesses adapt, the better equipped they will be to navigate the challenges and risks that come with it. It’s an exciting era we’re stepping into, and as with any journey, preparedness is key. Understanding the risks of LLM use in corporate environments is the very first step. The next is calibrating risk appetite and choosing suitable partners.

At Ayfie, our commitment to data security and privacy is evident in the meticulously designed Ayfie offerings that operate within MS Azure’s robust security framework. While ChatGPT itself isn’t the best option when dealing with sensitive data, Ayfie utilizes APIs to access OpenAI and Azure OpenAI models. API integrations allow us to fine-tune Ayfie services to your business needs without having to share or transmit your data to these platforms. Your data stays within Azure’s highly secure infrastructure in the EU. Any interactions you or your employees make with Ayfie are shielded with SSL/TLS encryption, making it out of reach of cybercriminals and malicious third parties.

So, buckle up and brace yourself for an exciting AI-led future with an open mind and the right LLM partners and products. A little vigilance and diligence now will get you far in embracing the transformative power of LLM-based innovations while safeguarding your data and reputation.