Want to save time, boost productivity, and streamline workflows? AI is your go-to tool to get more done, and it’s a gamechanger for small to medium sized business (SMBs). However, there might be concerns holding you back from unlocking its full potential – from data security to complexity or even losing control. We get it, so today we’re looking at how the right setup and technology partner can help Kiwi businesses harness AI securely. We’ll cover practical use cases, cyber risks, and look at how our Tribe can help with IT support in New Zealand. Let’s dive in.
What Does “AI” Mean for SMBs?
AI tools can expand capabilities, fuel productivity, and give your business a competitive edge. You don’t necessarily need to be tech savvy to use it, which means it’s more accessible across your team and everyone can benefit. However, you do need to be security aware to ensure you’re using it safely.
Practical, Secure Use Cases
So, how can AI tools be put to work in your business?
- Customer Service
Want to enhance customer experience? AI-powered customer service chatbots are a great tool for your website or app, using generative AI to provide answers and take work off your team’s plate. They deliver instant support around the clock responding to user queries, and can even personalise answers. Chatbot tools should integrate securely with your website, using measures like encryption and multi-factor authentication (MFA), and limiting access for staff who can access backend settings and data.
- Marketing
SMBs can elevate marketing with AI tools that generate content (like social media captions, emails, and blogs) and analyse data for powerful insights and trends. You should always check generated content for accuracy and to avoid bias, and thoroughly vet AI tools to make sure data isn’t shared with third parties.
- Admin and Finance
You can save time, improve accuracy and efficiency, and reduce repetitive manual tasks by introducing AI-powered invoice automation tools into your workflow. These tools store data in the cloud, and protect it with security measures like encryption, access controls, and more. Of course, we recommend vetting your chosen software to make sure it meets industry standards and data is secure.
- Cyber Security
AI and automation are now playing a critical role in cyber security, powering tools that detect risks, provide alerts, and keep up with evolving cyber threats. These tools analyse behaviour to understand what’s normal, and this allows them to spot unusual or malicious activity. Once alerted, IT teams can work to swiftly handle threats and minimise their impact.
- Email Filtering
AI can also enhance email filtering capabilities, and it’s key as cyber attacks (including phishing emails and invoice fraud scams) become more sophisticated. Like the previous example, the AI tools analyse behaviour to spot when something’s out of the norm, and advanced algorithms continue learning to adapt to changing attacks. This makes sure threats are identified before they reach your team’s inboxes, reducing the risk of human error.
AI Tools vs Cyber Risk: What SMBs Need to Know
While it might be tempting to jump right in and start using AI tools, it’s clear there are dangers you can encounter if you don’t have the right IT support and guidance. This includes data leakage, misconfigurations, or the risk of integrating shady tools.
Our checklist for getting started securely?
- Always vet AI tools, ensuring they implement strong security measures and follow relevant industry standards.
- Don’t connect sensitive systems unless they’re securely set up, or you could put data at risk.
- Access controls and MFA should always be applied. Access controls ensure only the people who need access have it, while MFA prevents hackers from gaining access.
- Have policies and guardrails in place that govern how your team can use AI tools. An example of this could be not uploading sensitive client data into ChatGPT.
How Our Tribe Can Help You to Harness AI
Working with a trusted IT provider ensures your AI tools can be integrated securely, and our team of experts is here to guide your journey. We begin with an initial AI readiness and security assessment, before helping you to implement AI tools so you can streamline processes, automate tasks, and give time back to your team – so they can focus on the important stuff. If you’re ready to work smarter and safer, get in touch with us or learn more here.
