AI Emerges as a Hidden Cybersecurity Risk for Egyptian Businesses
Cybersecurity threats facing businesses are no longer limited to attacks coming from outside corporate networks. In many cases, a simple browser window opened by an employee using an unauthorized AI service can create a significant data security risk.
The growing use of artificial intelligence in the workplace is introducing a more complex form of cybersecurity exposure, particularly when employees turn to free or external AI platforms without their organizations’ knowledge.
AI Tools Create a New Data Security Challenge
Dr. Mohamed Mohsen Ramadan, Head of the Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Unit at the Arab Center for Research and Studies, said the phenomenon has evolved from the traditional use of unauthorized software into a more serious risk.
He explained that AI systems can process data, analyze text, work with databases and examine programming code, significantly increasing the amount and sensitivity of information that employees may transfer to external platforms.
The risk does not necessarily come from malicious intent. An employee may simply want to save hours of work by using an AI tool to summarize a report, correct programming code or analyze customer data.
However, the potential problem extends beyond the answer generated by the AI system. Sensitive corporate information may leave the organization’s controlled environment and be transferred to external services that have not been approved or secured by the company.
Corporate AI Adoption Is Growing Rapidly
According to Ramadan, recent data highlights a widening gap between the rapid adoption of AI technology and the development of adequate governance frameworks.
The use of generative AI applications within organizations increased from 74% in 2025 to 96% in 2026.
At the same time, 38% of employees reportedly said they had shared sensitive work-related information with AI tools without authorization from their employers.
One of the most concerning scenarios involves accidental data exposure. Human resources departments, for example, could upload resumes to external AI platforms, while legal teams might use outside services to review contracts.
Traditional Security Systems May Miss the Threat
Major General Mohamed Ragai, a former Egyptian Assistant Minister of Interior, said cybersecurity can no longer focus solely on preventing attackers from entering an organization’s systems.
It must also address the unauthorized movement of sensitive information outside the organization.
The difficulty lies in the fact that these incidents can look completely normal from the user’s perspective. An employee may simply visit a website, paste some text, receive an answer and close the browser.
Because there may be no obvious signs of a conventional cyberattack, traditional security tools can struggle to identify such activity.
This effectively turns a well-intentioned employee into an invisible channel through which sensitive information can leave the organization.
A Complete AI Ban Is Not the Answer
Ragai warned against responding to the growing risks by completely banning AI applications.
A blanket ban, he argued, could push employees toward more secretive and difficult-to-monitor use rather than eliminating the underlying demand for AI tools.
Instead, organizations should adopt a model based on secure AI use and intelligent governance.
This includes creating a clear map of how AI is used across the organization, classifying both AI tools and corporate data, and precisely defining which platforms are permitted and which are prohibited.
Companies should also provide employees with secure, officially approved alternatives so they can benefit from AI without exposing sensitive information to uncontrolled external services.
Controlling Access to AI Systems
Ragai also called for tighter controls over the permissions granted to AI systems and intelligent agents.
Organizations should ensure that these systems cannot access sensitive files without appropriate oversight and authorization.
Cybersecurity awareness and employee training should also become a core layer of defense, helping workers understand what information can safely be shared with AI tools and where the boundaries of acceptable use lie.
As AI adoption continues to expand, Egyptian organizations face the challenge of balancing the productivity benefits of these technologies with stronger data governance and cybersecurity controls.