Business AI Adoption Outpaces Internal Security Safeguards
Nearly one-third of small and mid-market companies have faced generative-AI scams in the last year, yet most lack the formal policies or incident response plans necessary to mitigate these emerging threats as employees integrate public AI tools into their daily workflows without oversight.
A survey conducted by Nationwide reveals a widening gap between rapid technological adoption and digital safety. While 60% of business owners report that their staff uses public AI tools for tasks, only 36% have established written policies, and just 37% offer training on responsible usage. This creates an environment where 35% of owners suspect their employees are utilizing unauthorized software, potentially exposing sensitive company or customer data.
Cybercriminals are exploiting this lack of governance with increasing frequency. Beyond the 31% of businesses targeted by AI-driven fraud, 52% of independent insurance agents report an uptick in claims linked to these sophisticated attacks. With 88% of business owners acknowledging that AI-enabled threats have grown more complex, the lack of preparation remains a critical vulnerability: only 35% of companies currently maintain an up-to-date incident response plan. Bobbie Goldie, Vice President of Commercial Cyber at Nationwide, notes that while owners recognize the need for better protection, 82% admit they require additional resources to defend against these evolving risks.
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