Rapid Adoption and Growing Risks
Generative AI (genAI) usage has more than tripled in the past year, with 96% of businesses now utilizing these applications. On average, enterprises use nearly 10 genAI apps, up from just three last year. This rapid adoption brings significant data security challenges, as over a third of sensitive data shared with genAI apps is regulated data that organizations are legally obligated to protect.
Key Findings and Trends
- 75% of businesses now block at least one genAI app to mitigate data exfiltration risks
- Proprietary source code sharing accounts for 46% of all data policy violations in genAI apps
- ChatGPT remains the most popular genAI app, used by over 80% of enterprises
- Microsoft Copilot has shown dramatic growth, with 57% adoption since its January 2024 launch
Balancing Innovation and Security
Organizations are struggling to strike a balance between enabling genAI innovation and managing associated risks. While many companies are implementing security measures, fewer than half apply data-centric controls to prevent sensitive information sharing. This gap highlights the need for advanced data loss prevention (DLP) solutions to safely enable genAI usage. Positive steps include real-time user coaching, which has prompted 57% of users to alter their actions after receiving alerts. As genAI adoption continues to accelerate, enterprises must prioritize robust risk management approaches to safeguard data, reputation, and business continuity in this rapidly evolving landscape.
