AI is transforming the way businesses operate, from accelerating productivity to streamlining workflows and improving decision-making. But as powerful as these tools are, not all AI platforms are safe for your organization.

Some AI tools should be completely blocked from your network.

The Hidden Risks Behind Public AI Tools

Popular generative AI platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini (formerly Bard), Claude, and others are incredibly accessible, and that’s part of the problem. With just a few keystrokes, your employees could unknowingly share confidential or sensitive information with tools that offer little to no data privacy.

Consider this:

• Free versions of AI platforms often come with unclear or open-ended data policies.
  
• Data shared may be stored, reused, or even used to train future models.
  
• There’s no guarantee that your information stays within your control.
  

Even Google’s Gemini AI, when used under a free subscription, offers minimal privacy protections. That means anything from client records to proprietary workflows could end up being part of a public training dataset, completely outside your company’s oversight.

Why We Recommend Microsoft Copilot

At ECW Network and IT Solutions, we strongly advise against using unsanctioned or unvetted AI platforms within business environments. Instead, we recommend Microsoft Copilot.

Here’s why:

• Enterprise-grade security and compliance
  Microsoft Copilot integrates natively with the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, so it respects existing access controls and encryption settings.
  
• Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
  With Microsoft’s built-in DLP policies, we can define what types of data are allowed to be accessed or shared through AI, reducing the risk of accidental leaks.
  
• Auditable and governable
  You remain in control. Unlike free AI tools, Copilot provides visibility into what’s being accessed and by whom.
  

Our Approach: Enable the Right Tools, Block the Rest

When it comes to AI, not all tools are created equal, and security must come first. That’s why ECW Network and IT Solutions supports and configures Microsoft Copilot for our clients, and proactively blocks all other public AI platforms across the network.

By taking a proactive stance, we help our clients:

• Safeguard sensitive customer and business data
  
• Stay compliant with industry regulations
  
• Enable AI-powered efficiency without compromising privacy
  

Want to ensure your AI tools work for your business and not against it?
Let’s talk about how ECW Network and IT Solutions can help you deploy Microsoft Copilot safely and securely. Contact us today.