The Hidden Risk in Everyday Prompts

AI tools are only as safe as the information you give them. And in the workplace, that can be a serious problem.

Most employees don’t think twice before typing a request into ChatGPT or another AI tool: “Summarize this report.” “Draft a contract based on this template.” “Analyze these numbers.” It feels harmless—until you realize those prompts might contain sensitive data.

What’s Really Inside a Prompt

Prompts often include:

• Client names and project details

• Financial reports

• Draft contracts or legal language

• Employee or customer information

Once entered into a public LLM, that data could be stored, logged, or used to train future models. That means your “harmless prompt” could become part of the tool’s dataset—accessible in ways you can’t control.

Why It Matters

This isn’t just a theoretical issue. In 2023, several major companies banned employees from using public AI tools after confidential data was accidentally exposed through prompts. Regulators have also raised concerns about compliance when sensitive information is fed into systems that lack proper safeguards.

For industries like healthcare, finance, or law, a single careless prompt could mean violating HIPAA, GLBA, or client confidentiality agreements.

Building Safe Prompting Practices

The key isn’t to stop employees from using AI—it’s to teach them how to use it safely. Businesses should encourage practices like:

• Redact or anonymize sensitive details before entering them.

• Use placeholder data (“Client A,” “Product X”) instead of real names.

• Keep regulated data off limits—no personal health info, financial accounts, or personally identifiable information (PII).

Policies Are Your First Line of Defense

A clear, written policy on acceptable AI use can prevent accidental oversharing. Make sure employees understand:

• What information is safe to share

• Which tools are approved for use

• Who to contact if they’re unsure

The Bottom Line

Prompts may seem small, but they carry big risks. By training your team on safe prompting practices, you’ll empower them to use AI effectively—without jeopardizing your company’s security or compliance.