The advancements we’ve seen in tech over the past few years have, without a doubt, brought incredible gains for the businesses that adopted them successfully. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI), for example, are already driving shifts in everything from agriculture to medicine and even creative fields like advertising.
While these advancements offer opportunities, they also come with risks, especially in terms of privacy. A recent Forbes article detailed the wide-ranging privacy concerns surrounding the global deployment of generative AI, from data security to legal boundaries. In a world where consumers are becoming increasingly privacy-conscious and where lawmakers and regulators are mandating privacy controls for companies of all sizes, privacy has become a business imperative.
Evolving tech, growing cybersecurity threats
Technologies like generative AI have not only enabled cybercriminals to scale up the volume of their attacks, but also allowed them to launch increasingly sophisticated attacks. Generative AI, for instance, allows cybercriminals to generate far more convincing spoof emails than they once could. Beyond email, generative AI has also enabled cybercriminals to start using things like deepfake audio and video in their attacks. These tools are becoming so sophisticated that even experienced executives struggle to spot that they are being scammed. Not surprisingly, a report released earlier this year by Cybersecurity Ventures found that the cost of cyberattacks in 2025 will exceed US$10 trillion. The report also found that the cost of cyber attacks against organisations and individuals is growing by 15% annually.
Governance is not enough; companies must act
Raju Vegesna, Chief Evangelist at Zoho, recently laid out the scenario facing businesses and other organisations succinctly: “Given the numerous breaches that have occurred and the inconsistent privacy policies worldwide, companies must be cautious. Governance will not save them, as most of the legislation is behind the technology’s rate of evolution. Modern cyber attacks spare none; they are entirely random, targeting businesses of any size through vulnerabilities in their systems. These attacks have become so advanced that password protection is no longer sufficient.
Privacy at every point in the tech stack
How can businesses ensure that they’re doing everything in their power to safeguard privacy? A valuable beginning point is to ensure that privacy protection is baked into every component of their technology infrastructure while also employing a multifaceted strategy. Even something as simple as the browser an organisation’s employees use should have privacy at the forefront. Ideally, that browser should come with built-in phishing detection, crypto-mining detection, and advanced ad-blocking features that remove intrusive ads and tracking scripts.
Another helpful step is to choose a productivity suite that includes a directory that allows the business to securely manage its users, apps, devices, and networks from a single console. Such a directory not only allows businesses to be more secure in their operations but also to do away with complex legacy software, which can be a security vulnerability.
Organisations can add an additional layer of security by deploying a multi-factor authentication (MFA) app. MFA apps enhance user convenience by implementing features such as passwordless authentication, enabling log in through methods like push notification and biometric verification.
One more useful tool to protect employee privacy and business-critical information alike is a reliable password vault. One of the biggest vulnerabilities in any organisation is employees reusing the same password across multiple applications, especially when it’s a weak one. A good password vault will help businesses securely store, share, and manage workforce passwords from anywhere. Password managers that offer numerous features like a password generator, policies, breached password detection, compliance reports, browser extensions, and mobile apps can be a great value-add.
Security from the start
If organisations prioritise privacy and security, they must integrate them directly into their systems from the onset rather than attempting to implement them as an afterthought. Regular evaluation should also be part of this integration. These measures are fundamental to fostering a successful digital business and should be regarded accordingly.