Do you need help & advice with AI & Automation?
If you’re a business leader, you need to pay attention to something important happening with artificial intelligence. Two new web browsers, ChatGPT’s Atlas and Perplexity’s Comet, have just been released. While they might seem like useful tools to speed up work, they come with serious security risks that could put your organisation in danger.
Key Takeaways
- New AI Browsers Pose Security Risks: ChatGPT’s Atlas and Perplexity’s Comet are not yet secure for business use.
- Vulnerable to Prompt Injection: These browsers can be tricked into performing unwanted actions through malicious code hidden in websites or shared data.
- Lack of Security Controls: Current security measures are not sufficient to protect against these vulnerabilities.
- Temporary Productivity vs. Long-Term Risk: The potential short-term gains in productivity do not outweigh the significant security dangers.
- Recommendation: Business leaders should prohibit staff from installing or using these browsers at work until better security is available.
The Danger of Prompt Injection
These new browsers are particularly vulnerable to something called prompt injection. Think of it like this: malicious code can be hidden within a website URL or in data shared with the AI. This code tricks the AI into ignoring its original instructions and doing something harmful instead. Because the security controls in these new browsers aren’t very strong yet, it’s going to be quite easy for people with bad intentions to make the AI do things you absolutely do not want it to do.
Why You Should Wait
It’s tempting to jump on new technology that promises to make work faster. However, with Atlas and Comet, the risk is just too high right now. They might seem like a good idea because they could potentially speed up your staff’s work, but they are not ready for business use. The security issues mean that the potential damage to your organisation could be far greater than any small boost in productivity.
What To Do Now
My strong advice is to not allow your staff to install or use these browsers on company devices or for work purposes at this time. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Wait until the developers have put stronger security measures in place. If you’re unsure about how to manage AI use in your business or need help creating a policy, there are resources available to assist small businesses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an AI browser, and why could it be a risk for my construction business?
An AI browser is a web browser with built-in artificial intelligence features that can summarise pages, answer questions, and help users work faster. The risk is that staff may use it to access company systems or upload sensitive project, client, or site information without proper controls, which can create data security and compliance problems.
Should I ban new AI browsers across my company straight away?
Not necessarily every AI browser, but you should review them before allowing use. For most construction firms, the safest approach is to block unapproved browsers, set clear rules for staff, and only permit tools that have been checked for security, data handling, and business need.
What should I do now to protect my business from AI browser risks?
Start by checking which browsers and AI tools your staff are using, then update your IT policy to cover approved software and data use. It is also wise to train your team, tighten access to company systems, and ask your IT support provider to review your security settings and browser controls.
