10/06/2026
Your employees may already be using AI at work. The question is: do you know how they’re using it? 🤔
As AI becomes part of everyday work, a new cybersecurity consideration is emerging ➡️ Shadow AI.
Shadow AI happens when employees use AI tools that haven’t been approved, reviewed or managed by their organization. It could be as simple as uploading a customer document for a quick summary, using a personal AI account for work, installing an AI browser extension, or connecting an AI application to company systems.
Often, there’s no bad intent. Someone is simply trying to get their work done faster.
But that convenience can create blind spots.
Once company information enters an unapproved AI platform, you may have limited visibility into where that information goes, how it’s handled, or what other systems the application can access. That can introduce concerns around data exposure, privacy and compliance, intellectual property, inaccurate information and unauthorized access.
The answer isn’t to fear AI or simply block it. It’s to understand it, manage it and use it responsibly.
💡 For Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Teleco has created a free practical guide to Shadow AI for businesses. It covers what Shadow AI is, why it happens, the risks businesses should understand, a simple 7-question check for employees, and practical steps for building an AI acceptable use policy.
🖱Download the free guide and start the conversation with your team. https://teleco.ca/cyber-security-awareness/
AI isn’t going away. Neither is the need for cybersecurity.
