Think Twice Before Sharing Data with AI Tools

Posted by Mike Brown,
Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay

The DeepSeek Breach is a Warning

AI tools are everywhere, making our work faster and more efficient. But handing over sensitive customer or company data to these tools can be a serious risk. A recent data breach involving AI startup DeepSeek is a perfect example of why we need to be cautious.

What Happened with DeepSeek?

DeepSeek, a Chinese AI company, accidentally left a massive database completely exposed online. No password, no authentication—just wide open for anyone to access. According to Wiz Research, this database contained over a million records, including chat histories, API keys, and backend details. Worse yet, anyone who found it could not only see the data but also manipulate the database itself. That’s a hacker’s dream scenario.

Why This Matters

This isn’t just about one company’s mistake—it’s a wake-up call for anyone using AI tools to handle sensitive data. Here’s why:

  • Your data might not be as secure as you think – If an AI company doesn’t have strong security measures in place, your information could end up exposed just like DeepSeek’s.
  • Hackers love exposed data – Stolen customer info, API keys, and backend access can be exploited for fraud, identity theft, or even cyberattacks.
  • Reputation is everything – If a company mishandles data, customers lose trust fast. Once that trust is gone, it’s hard to rebuild.

Image by Kris from Pixabay

AI and Everyday Work: A Hidden Risk

Many companies now use AI tools to take meeting notes, draft emails, summarize documents, and even write presentations for conferences. While this sounds convenient, it also opens up serious security risks:

  • Confidential information can get stored or shared – AI tools often retain data to “improve performance.” If you’re discussing sensitive business plans, customer details, or internal issues, that data could be sitting on a third-party server, vulnerable to leaks.
  • Emails can be a gateway for phishing or data exposure – AI that interacts with your inbox can analyze and summarize emails, but what happens if it’s compromised? A breach could expose internal communications, contracts, and customer interactions.
  • Intellectual property at risk – If you use AI to draft reports or presentations for industry conferences, are you inadvertently giving away proprietary insights? Some AI tools use user inputs to train their models, meaning your work could become part of their dataset.
  • Regulatory & compliance nightmares – Storing or sharing data through AI tools could violate regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, or company policies, leading to hefty fines or legal trouble.

How to Stay Safe When Using AI Tools

AI is a game-changer, but that doesn’t mean you should blindly trust every tool. Here’s how to protect your data:

  • Do your research – Before using an AI tool, check its security track record. Does it encrypt data? Does it follow industry security standards?
  • Limit what you share – Never input sensitive customer information, company secrets, or API keys unless absolutely necessary.
  • Be cautious with AI in communications – If you’re using AI to draft emails, take meeting notes, or write presentations, make sure it’s not storing or sharing that data elsewhere.

Bottom Line

AI is powerful, but it’s not foolproof. The DeepSeek breach proves that even big companies can make basic security mistakes. If you’re using AI tools in your business, take a step back and think: “Am I trusting this tool with information I wouldn’t want leaked?” If the answer is yes, it’s time to tighten up security.If you have any questions, reach out to you company’s IT Department.

Stay smart, and stay safe!

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Founded in 1999, GEO Jobe is in its 25th year of operation, has been an Esri business partner since 2002 and is currently a Platinum Partner.

Headshot: Mike Brown

Deputy Director of Support