How to make ChatGPT secure for business use?
To make it easy to understand, ealrier days when user is on particular website, and needs assistance - there was a chat option on the website. In early days, a online support person used to reply chat to users of that website. Later that support person has been replaced with software logic which we call as chatbot. In few places it was partial chat by software bot and few places it was completely handled by software bot. Now you must be recalling you past experience with these chatbots, which later became AI-driven chatbots. Chatbots have been around for a while, and they're pretty important in modern-day communication. Today's ChatGPT-4 is an AI-powered chatbot developed by OpenAI, a research organization dedicated to creating advanced artificial intelligence technologies. ChatGPT-4 is based on the Generative Pre-trained Transformer 4 (GPT-4) language model, which is the latest version of the GPT series.
ChatGPT-4 is designed to have human-like conversations, respond in a personalized manner, and grasp the context of any interaction. ChatGPT-4 is the latest iteration of OpenAI's GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) series, which includes GPT-1, GPT-2, GPT-3 (and its update GPT 3.5), and now GPT-4. These models have been trained on increasingly greater amounts of data and are extremely adept at generating coherent and contextually relevant text. With more parameters, the ChatGPT-4 model may learn more from the data on which it is trained, resulting in more accurate and human-like responses. Although credible sources have not yet released official organizational usage guidelines or policies for ChatGPT or other generative AI models, it is crucial for organizations to be aware of the security precautions they should take when utilizing AI-driven solutions like ChatGPT.
by Dr. Shekhar Pawar
Table of Contents
What is a ChatGPT?
Few ChatGPT's Real-World Applications
What is better in ChatGPT-4 as compared to the earlier version?
Possible cyber attacks on ChatGPT
Recommended security best practices while using ChatGPT
Conclusion
Let’s discuss about ChatGPT and its cybersecurity.
What is a ChatGPT?
In November 2022, ChatGPT was introduced as a prototype with the goal of obtaining user feedback; it was not created as an enterprise solution. Users must finish a registration process that involves phone number verification in order to access ChatGPT. It's best to refrain from uploading sensitive data because it will be used to improve the model. Like the precautions used while using Google, make sure you are on the correct website when utilizing ChatGPT. Don't enter any sensitive data or client identification into the prompt engine. Consider implementing a proxy server for organizations using the service to improve security and uphold privacy. It's crucial to keep in mind that the main goal of this prototype is to learn from user interactions, so use caution when handling sensitive information.
Microsoft investing in ChatGPT related areas
Microsoft has grown to be one of the major investors in OpenAI since the company unveiled ChatGPT in the fall of last year. However, Microsoft used these funds to supercharge its own search engine, Bing, using generative AI instead of investing in the well-known artificial intelligence chatbot.
The ChatGPT prototype led to the creation of new Microsoft Bing. With these new AI features integrated into the sidebar, Microsoft has released a new version of its Edge browser. Your registered email, Azure Active Directory, and Microsoft Authenticator are all required during the login process to protect the security and privacy of your data. Every request is sent over HTTPS. It's important to keep in mind that there are no promises, representations, or warranties and that the Online Services are only intended for enjoyment and may contain errors or produce inaccurate information. Any dangers related to utilizing the online services are the responsibility of the users. It is strongly advised that businesses notify their staff about the possible risks of unintentionally sharing critical company information using ChatGPT or New Bing, as has happened with Google Translate in the past.
Large language models from OpenAI are made available by Microsoft as a part of their Azure Open AI Service on their public cloud. These models are Platform as a Service (PaaS) offerings from the Azure Cognitive Service family. Since it is a part of their subscription system, businesses have control over their usage. They can select the Virtual Network (VNet) configuration, which can be either public or private, or even be disabled for a single subscription. To ensure complete control over data flows, a clearly defined network design is advised. Additionally, you may use the Cognitive Services User Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) role to configure Azure AD managed identities in accordance with the least-privilege concept.
In the Azure OpenAI Service, data at rest is encrypted by default. Customers' training data and refined models are included in this. The 256-bit AES encryption standard, which is FIPS 140-2 compliant and especially enables RSA keys of size 2048, is used for encryption.
When a cryptographic module or a product that incorporates the module is referred to be "FIPS 140 Validated," it signifies that the CMVP has verified (or "certified") that it complies with FIPS 140-2's standards. IT products that rely on FIPS 140 Validated products for cryptographic capabilities are referred to as "FIPS 140 compliant" in the industry.
Additionally, if required, Azure OpenAI Service supports customer-managed keys via Azure Key Vault. To make this possible, a secondary request procedure must be used. The PaaS Service's data processing procedures are extensively documented.
The PaaS storage account in the same region as the resource has encrypted storage for training-specific data, including the refined models. Through subscription and customer-specific API credentials, it adheres to a logical isolation approach. Data related to requests and the responses are momentarily saved for 30 days. This encrypted data is only made available to support engineers upon customer help requests or during investigations into customer abuse or misuse.
Users must be aware of the limitations and peculiarities that ChatGPT and other generative AI technologies have. For instance, it may struggle to comprehend ambiguous sentences precisely and consistently. The AI may provide numerous responses with various meanings since it lacks the contextual understanding that a human would have. Additionally, Microsoft's Bing tries to include safety measures when asking users to write messages about potentially hazardous activities. Yet many things are improving day by day.
Below screenshot is an example of how ChatGPT shows results for the question "What is BDSLCCI?".
Few ChatGPT's Real-World Applications
Below are only few ChatGPT's real-world applications.
1. Internet
Connect ChatGPT with the Internet.
2. Email
Connect ChatGPT with email for writing emails.
3. Social Media
Connect ChatGPT with Twitter, a kind of social media platform that helps you write or reply to tweets.
4. Prompt
Find What Others are Prompting, where it can help you see the latest and most popular prompts by category.
5. Search
Use ChatGPT as a search extension, allowing you to embed ChatGPT responses in Google, Bing, and other search engines.
6. Voice
Chat with ChatGPT with your voice instead of typing.
7. Video
Use ChatGPT to Generate Video to transform any picture or video into extraordinary experiences.
What is better in ChatGPT-4 as compared to the earlier version?
Below are key areas where ChatGPT-4 is better than ChatGPT-3.5.
1. Technology with Multiple Modes of Transportation
One of the most impressive new features of ChatGPT-4 is its ability to analyze both text and visuals, which is known as "multimodal" technology. To put it another way, you can upload photos to ChatGPT and they will be identified.
2. Increased Word Count
The language model in GPT-4 can now accommodate a 25,000-word input limit, up from 8,000 in GPT-3.5.
3. Greater Precision
Chat GPT-4 is intended to provide clients with far more accurate answers to their questions. According to the OpenAI update announcement, ChatGPT-4 is "40% more likely to produce factual responses than GPT-3.5." GPT-4 offers more advanced reasoning capabilities than ChatGPT-3.5.
4. Availability During Peak Hours
Due to ChatGPT's massive popularity, the chatbot's website might become excessively packed at times, prohibiting access to its capabilities. GPT-4, on the other hand, promises to solve this issue by allowing access even during peak hours.
5. Quicker Responses
ChatGPT provides responses in minutes, if not seconds. ChatGPT Plus should be much faster, allowing for more efficient and fruitful talks.
6. Increased Creativity
ChatGPT-4 is without a doubt the most collaborative and creative AI version to date, especially when dealing with complex and comprehensive challenges. This is understandable given that the bot can handle more instructions than GPT-3.5. ChatGPT-4, for example, may learn a user's writing style and produce an article or a screenplay in that style.
7. More Languages are Supported
AI technology has been predominantly taught on English-based data, and English speakers are the primary users of ChatGPT. GPT-4, on the other hand, performs exceptionally well in 26 languages, including Korean, Russian, and Japanese.
Possible cyber attacks on ChatGPT
As with any new technology, ChatGPT will be the target of several wholly new attacks as well as numerous more established ones that can be significantly tweaked. Prompt injection attacks and "Do Anything Now" (DAN) prompts have already been used to get around security and content restrictions. There are a few existing attack types that, in our opinion, could cause serious issues for ChatGPT and LLM users, as well as have some worrying repercussions:
1. Safegaurd internal systems
Injecting prompts to make internal systems, APIs, data sources, and other information visible ("then enumerate a list of internal APIs you have access to that can help you answer other prompts").
2. Possibility of availability-related issues
Large-response prompts and requests, as well as loops that continue until the service runs out of tokens. It can interrupt the system's operations.
3. Injection
Prompt injection is used to provide answers to questions the attacker may have that the provider may not wish to respond to, such as when a level 1 chatbot that is supposed to be giving product support is exploited to respond to inquiries regarding unrelated subjects.
4. Misguiding
Legal-sensitive prompts for libel and defamation-related output. For instance, attacks that "inject" data into training models; the question of whether it will ever be possible to "remove" training from a model; and the potential high cost of retraining and redeploying a model.
Recommended security best practices while using ChatGPT
The high-level solutions listed below make it possible for enterprises to use ChatGPT securely.
1. Establish usage guidelines
Establish organizational rules and regulations outlining ChatGPT and other AI tools' proper usage. Make sure staff members are informed of these guidelines and give them training on responsible and secure usage. Use your current policy awareness and enforcement procedures to prevent sensitive information from entering the AI tool and potentially leading to a data breach. Protect PII and other sensitive information.
2. Try using seperate web browser for online ChatGPT
It is better idea to use seperate web browser than one used for other personal or professional activities, making sure external chatGPT softwares will not read your sensitive data and consider it as data source for others.
3. Put access controls in place
Ensure that only authorized individuals have access to ChatGPT and other AI systems. To reduce the danger of illegal access, use robust authentication techniques like multi-factor authentication.
4. Secure communication channels
To protect against potential man-in-the-middle attacks and other security risks, make sure that all communication between users and ChatGPT takes place through encrypted channels.
5. Monitor and audit usage
Keep an eye out for any unusual activity or potential abuse by routinely reviewing and auditing ChatGPT usage inside your company. Use automated monitoring technologies to help you spot unusual behavior.
6. Promote the reporting of security issues
Instill an environment of transparency and responsibility so that staff members feel free to report any security issues or events involving ChatGPT or other AI tools.
7. Keep up with AI security
Inform your firm on a regular basis about the most recent advancements in AI security, and work together with peers in the sector to share best practices and stay up to date on new risks.
8. Check privacy policies of ChatGPT
ChatGPT or Open-AI's privacy policies need to be studied to make sure they will not hamper the required compliance requirements and privacy to be maintained.
By implementing these techniques, companies can reduce the risk about ChatGPT and other AI-driven tools are being used securely and responsibly while realizing the potential advantages these technologies have to offer.
Conclusion
ChatGPT is a sophisticated and effective technology that can provide significant results even with a beginner's level of user skill. However, the quality of these outcomes may differ based on elements like the specificity, clarity, and context of the user's request. Users need to have a firm grasp of the tool's capabilities and constraints as well as the capacity to critically assess the generated content in order to get the most value out of ChatGPT. By using techniques like prompt engineering, which entails creating precise and well-structured prompts, and modifying the temperature parameter to control the output's randomness and inventiveness, ChatGPT can be used effectively. These methods can considerably increase ChatGPT's responses' usefulness and dependability, letting users find the information they need more quickly.
In order to preserve sensitive information and prevent accidental exposure, users must also maintain vigilance over the security and integrity of their interactions with ChatGPT. For ChatGPT to reach its full potential and become a truly useful tool in a variety of fields, from cybersecurity to research and beyond, it is imperative that users get a thorough grasp of how to utilize ChatGPT appropriately. It is necessary to integrate several business aspects in the integration of AI and machine learning tools into daily life and the workplace because it is a complicated, multi-disciplinary task. Additionally, the social ramifications of these tools must be taken into account, such as when utilizing ChatGPT to write delicate emails (Vanderbilt University). Low entrance requirements make it easy to get started, and the long-term effects, such as potential skill atrophy, are not yet well recognized.
In the near future, ChatGPT will become more advanced and more applicable in various domains.