{"id":4219,"date":"2026-03-02T08:00:10","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T12:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/solulan.com\/?p=4219"},"modified":"2026-03-02T12:53:40","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T16:53:40","slug":"ai-data-security-sme","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/solulan.com\/en\/ai-data-security-sme\/","title":{"rendered":"AI and Data Security: How to Govern AI in Your SME Without Compromising Innovation"},"content":{"rendered":"

By: Nicolas C\u00f4t\u00e9, Head of Cybersecurity Practice \u2014 Solulan<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Nicolas C\u00f4t\u00e9 supports SMEs and large organizations in protecting their technological environments and managing information security risks. Recognized for his ability to clearly explain complex issues, he guides organizations toward secure practices and the responsible adoption of new technologies, including artificial intelligence.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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Artificial intelligence<\/a> is gradually being integrated into businesses, often without an official framework having been established. In many SMEs, employees are already using AI tools to write messages, analyze data, create content, or simplify repetitive tasks. This spontaneous adoption reflects the real value AI can bring to productivity and decision-making.<\/p>\n

However, the informal, and especially ungoverned, use of these tools carries significant risks. Many public AI platforms retain the information submitted to them, whether it be text, files, customer data, or internal information. In some cases, this data may be stored in countries where privacy regulations differ significantly from those in force in Canada.<\/p>\n

For an SME, this represents a challenge not only in terms of security<\/strong><\/em>, but also compliance<\/strong><\/em>, particularly in relation to Law 25<\/a> in Quebec.<\/p>\n

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An underestimated risk: AI used without governance<\/h2>\n

When each employee chooses their own AI tool\u2014often free and downloaded in just a few seconds\u2014the organization quickly loses visibility over where its information is circulating. Privacy practices vary from one platform to another, as does the location where data is hosted. In addition, user prompts frequently contain sensitive data, sometimes without the user realizing it.<\/p>\n

The multiplication of tools therefore increases the risk of data leaks or loss of control.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Moreover, AI relies on the access already granted to employees. If privileges are not properly configured<\/strong>, an employee may inadvertently obtain information from AI that they should not be allowed to access<\/strong>, simply because internal permissions allow it. This phenomenon has been demonstrated in concrete examples where AI was able to answer sensitive questions when access rights were too broad.<\/p>\n

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Governing AI: a simple approach that protects your organization<\/h2>\n

The solution is not to limit the use of AI, but rather to govern it in a structured and consistent way. A few well-targeted measures are enough to ensure data security while fully benefiting from the advantages of AI in the workplace.<\/p>\n

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1. Choose tools suited to SME needs<\/h3>\n

Professional AI platforms, such as Microsoft Copilot<\/strong> in its Enterprise version, offer better data protection. They notably ensure that:<\/p>\n