UK and US cyber security agencies have developed guidelines to enhance the security of AI systems. The guidelines focus on secure design, development, deployment, and operation, aiming to prevent cybercriminals from hijacking AI and accessing sensitive data. While the guidelines are non-binding, they have the endorsement of 16 countries. However, the prevalence of zero-day vulnerabilities and ongoing cyber-attacks raise questions about whether AI systems can be fully secured.
UK and US Develop New Global Guidelines for AI Security
As AI technologies become more widely used, they also become targets for cybercriminals. To address this issue, cyber security agencies from the UK and US have developed new guidelines on how to make AI more secure.
Key Guidelines for AI Security
The guidelines aim to help AI companies build systems that function as intended, are available when needed, and protect sensitive data from unauthorized access. They focus on four key areas:
- Secure design: Assess risk and perform threat modeling during the design phase.
- Secure development: Manage your supply chain, documentation, and digital assets securely while building your product.
- Secure deployment: Ensure that users cannot access sensitive parts of your product through the API or other means. Conduct rigorous testing before deployment.
- Secure operation and maintenance: Monitor your product, roll out updates carefully, and be transparent about any issues.
The guidelines are a good starting point, although they lack technical implementation details. They have been endorsed by 16 countries in addition to the UK and US, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and Singapore.
Notably absent from the list are China and Russia, which are known sources of cyber attacks on Western countries.
It’s important to note that the guidelines are non-binding, meaning that countries endorsing them are simply expressing their support for these AI design principles. The UK, for example, has no plans to enforce new AI development legislation in the near future.
The Importance of AI Security
Making AI products as secure as possible is in the interest of all countries. However, the challenge lies in whether it is truly possible to fully secure AI systems from cyber attacks, especially considering the frequent discovery of vulnerabilities in commercial software and systems.
While the potential dangers of AI are often imagined or predicted, the current and more immediate threat comes from cybercriminals who are actively probing AI vulnerabilities.
Evolve Your Company with AI
If you want to stay competitive and leverage AI to redefine your way of work, consider the following steps:
- Identify Automation Opportunities: Locate key customer interaction points that can benefit from AI.
- Define KPIs: Ensure that your AI initiatives have measurable impacts on business outcomes.
- Select an AI Solution: Choose tools that align with your needs and offer customization.
- Implement Gradually: Start with a pilot, gather data, and expand AI usage judiciously.
For AI KPI management advice, connect with us at hello@itinai.com. Stay updated on leveraging AI by following us on Telegram or Twitter.
Spotlight on a Practical AI Solution: AI Sales Bot
Consider using the AI Sales Bot from itinai.com/aisalesbot to automate customer engagement and manage interactions across all stages of the customer journey. Discover how AI can redefine your sales processes and customer engagement by exploring our solutions at itinai.com.