The continued adoption of generative AI in the workplace poses new threats to the digital employee experience (DEX), which could exacerbate security concerns, new research shows.
A report from Ivanti found that 86% of IT professionals believe that poor digital experiences can lead employees to adopt unsafe solutions, such as using unauthorized devices and AI tools.
Ivanti’s report sheds light on the complicated balance between improving employee experiences through technology and protecting corporate data. While three-quarters of global knowledge workers now use GenAI, four in five (81%) of them have not received any formal training. Additionally, 15% use unapproved AI tools that can increase the risk of security breaches, data privacy violations, and other legal challenges such as copyright infringement.
Bad DEX can make your business more vulnerable
“While harmless at this point, employees typically choose convenience and put safety on the back burner,” summarizes Mike Riemer, CISO of Ivanti Field.
The report describes how employers should more carefully consider their DEX to tailor it to the way employees work, allowing them to look at security at an earlier and deeper level.
“Companies must take steps to understand their employees’ workplace behavior and implement security measures that reduce the temptation for employees to circumvent protocols and use unsafe solutions. Strong security should not come at the expense of user experience, as it is integral to maintaining both security and productivity,” said Riemer.
In addition to generative AI, workers in other DEX areas are being left behind. For example, one in two admit to using personal devices to access work networks, with a third (32%) doing so without the knowledge of their employer.
Looking ahead, Ivanti urges companies to consider other fundamental internet hygiene factors that are often neglected, such as the use of VPNs, zero-trust solutions and multi-factor authentication.
