How to Run a Shadow AI Audit Without Slowing Down Your Team

Shadow AI — the unauthorized use of AI tools by employees — is one of the biggest hidden risks facing businesses today. Your team might be pasting sensitive data into ChatGPT, uploading contracts to AI document tools, or using AI-powered browser extensions.

A shadow AI audit helps you discover what's happening and take control.

Step 1: Inventory AI Usage
Use network monitoring and cloud access security broker (CASB) tools to identify AI services your team is accessing. Look for traffic to known AI platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and others.

Step 2: Assess Risk
For each tool discovered, assess: What data is being shared? Is it regulated data? Could it expose intellectual property? Is the AI tool storing or training on your data?

Step 3: Define Acceptable Use
Create an AI Acceptable Use Policy that clearly defines which AI tools are approved, what data can be shared, and what's prohibited.

Step 4: Provide Approved Alternatives
If you block tools, provide approved alternatives. Microsoft Copilot is ideal because it operates within your tenant with enterprise-grade security.

Step 5: Train and Monitor
Educate your team on the risks and the policy. Set up ongoing monitoring to detect new shadow AI usage.

Our AI Solutions team can run a complete shadow AI audit for your organization in under a week.