Detect and Manage Shadow AI with BigID
In today’s fast-moving AI landscape, a hidden risk is growing: the rise of IA de l'ombre—unauthorized, unapproved, and unmanaged AI operating within your organization. As sophisticated AI tools proliferate, including open-source or unapproved models like DeepSeek, you must achieve complete visibility. Not only is this a competitive advantage, but it’s also a regulatory imperative. With rising privacy concerns about Chinese AI tools and sweeping regulatory initiatives in the EU and California, you need to know exactly what AI operates in your environment.
Recognize the Dangers of Open Source or Unmanaged AI Models
Open source and unmanaged AI models offer enormous innovation potential, but they also introduce significant risks. These “shadow” systems can bypass your established security protocols, potentially leaking sensitive data or creating compliance gaps. For example, DeepSeek—a Chinese-developed chatbot that rivals well-known AI models—has rapidly risen in popularity, but its privacy practices raise red flags.
Recent reports reveal that DeepSeek stores user data on servers in China, exposing your organization to national security and privacy risks. Regulatory bodies in Italy and Australia have already moved to block or restrict access to DeepSeek, citing inadequate data transparency and potential misuse under Chinese cybersecurity laws. Technical analyses suggest that its login mechanisms may be tied to Chinese state-owned telecommunications infrastructure, increasing your risk of covert data sharing.
When rogue models slip into your environment—operating outside sanctioned channels—their hidden supply chain vulnerabilities can become dangerous. Unvetted third-party models might train on biased or even deliberately poisoned datasets, potentially compromising your security and compliance.
Understand What Shadow AI Means for You
Shadow AI refers to the unauthorized or unvetted use of artificial intelligence systems within your organization. You might deploy these systems without IT’s knowledge or outside approved channels to meet immediate business needs. However, this “shadow” use creates several risks for you:
- Compliance Risks: Unapproved AI systems might not meet regulatory requirements such as the Loi européenne sur l'IA or California’s emerging AI regulations, which mandate detailed documentation and oversight for every AI use case.
- Data Leakage: Shadow AI models could process sensitive data without proper safeguards, exposing your critical information.
- Security Vulnerabilities: Without proper oversight, you may miss critical security patches and risk assessments, paving the way for cyberattacks.
In essence, Shadow AI represents a hidden threat that can compromise your operational efficiency and security, while putting you at odds with evolving global regulatory standards.
How BigID Helps You Detect and Manage Shadow AI
BigID’s advanced data intelligence platform empowers you to achieve complete AI visibility and take decisive action against hidden or unmanaged AI models. You can discover, map, and manage every AI system in your organization while complying with evolving regulatory and security frameworks. Here’s how you do it with BigID:
1. Detect Model Files in Unstructured Data Sources
BigID automatically scans your data repositories—including S3 buckets, file stores, and databases—to detect files and binaries associated with AI models (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow). This process helps you identify deployments that have bypassed formal IT channels, flagging potential instances of unauthorized LLM usage.
2. Scrape Emails for AI Service Communications
BigID scrapes your corporate email systems (Gmail, Outlook, etc.) for registration messages or usage notifications related to external AI services such as DeepSeek, OpenAI, Claude, Gemini, and more. By pinpointing these communications, you can reveal instances where employees might be leveraging unsanctioned tools, potentially exposing sensitive data or violating internal policies.
3. Scan Code Repositories
BigID extends its balayage capabilities into your code repositories. It analyzes source code for embedded API keys or calls to external AI services. This process allows you to detect unauthorized integrations and flag potential supply chain vulnerabilities. You gain insight into which datasets were used and ensure they are neither biased nor poisoned.
4. Monitor Native AI-Platform Deployments
For organizations using public AI platforms (e.g., Hugging Face, Azure AI, OpenAI, Google Cloud AI), BigID monitors deployments to classify and analyze underlying models. You can detect sensitive data in training sets, identify rogue models bypassing standard approval channels, and continuously verify the supply chain and training datasets. This process safeguards against unintended bias and data poisoning while triggering policy enforcement actions for non-compliant usage.
5. Map Datasets and Models to AI Assets
BigID maps every discovered dataset and model to your AI asset inventory, ensuring you comply with mandates like those in the EU AI Act. This comprehensive inventory lets you track every AI component, supporting governance and providing the necessary documentation required by global regulations.
6. Initiate and Manage AI Risk Assessments
BigID automates the AI risk assessment process by classifying each AI asset against regulatory standards. You maintain an up-to-date risk assessment inventory, allowing you to quickly identify risks associated with each model and comply with evolving AI regulations. Once you identify risks, BigID helps you remediate compliance and data vulnerabilities. You can cleanse training datasets based on organizational policies, enforce strict access controls, and ensure that only authorized usage persists—mitigating potential threats before they escalate.
7. Map to Regulations and Security Frameworks
BigID continuously maps your AI deployments against relevant security or privacy frameworks, such as the NIST AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF), and regulatory requirements. By regularly reviewing which controls may be failing, you can proactively address gaps and maintain robust AI governance.
Take Control of Your AI Landscape
In an era where regulatory environments tighten—from the EU AI Act to emerging California legislation—you must have a robust strategy to detect and govern Shadow AI. Unmanaged AI systems can expose you to compliance, security, and data privacy risks and undermine the trust you’ve built with customers and regulators.
BigID empowers you with comprehensive visibility and actionable intelligence to rein in Shadow AI and enforce rigorous AI governance. With our advanced detection, monitoring, and policy enforcement tools, you know exactly what AI is operating within your environment—allowing you to manage risks before they become crises.
Ready to take control of your AI landscape?
Talk to our AI experts today and discover how BigID’s innovative solutions can help you detect and manage Shadow AI, secure your supply chain against biased or poisoned training data, and stay ahead of global regulatory requirements.
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