Somebody in your business has probably pasted something into an AI tool this week that they should not have. A customer record, a contract, a bit of pricing. They were not being careless; they were trying to get a task finished faster.
This is known as shadow AI, when staff use AI tools without approval or clear guidelines, making it difficult to know where company information is going. For most businesses, the question is no longer whether staff will use AI, but whether they manage its use safely and responsibly.
That is why the cyber security partners you choose matter more than they did even two years ago.
Cyber security partners versus providers: what is the difference?
A provider sells you a product or a service and moves on. A cyber security partner stays involved in the outcome. A provider asks what you would like to buy, whereas a partner asks what you are trying to protect. A provider reacts when something goes wrong, while a partner works with you beforehand to spot risks such as shadow AI, and keeps reviewing your protection as your business changes.
HFI, based in Fleet, works with businesses across Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex and the South East, and throughout the UK. We get to know your people, your data and your plans, so our cyber security services fit the way you actually work, not the other way round.
Four things to look for in cyber security partners
- They start with your data: Data risk is the real concern. A good partner asks what information you hold, where it lives and who needs to reach it before recommending any technology.
- They help you use AI safely, not ban it: A blanket ban tends to push usage out of sight, which makes shadow AI worse. You need a partner who can help you set out which tools are approved and who can use them.
- They do not treat access as a one off check: Logging in once should not mean being trusted for the rest of the day.
- They are backed by strong supplier relationships: HFI works with a small number of trusted partners, and SonicWall is a good example. SonicWall supports HFI and our customers when complex issues need resolution, and they are equally invested in a good outcome for those customers.
Zero trust cyber security services with SonicWall Cloud Secure Edge
SonicWall Cloud Secure Edge (CSE) is a good example of what this looks like in practice. It is a cloud delivered service built on a zero trust approach, which simply means nobody and no device is trusted automatically.
Instead, when users connect remotely, the connection is continually evaluated for threats and appropriate action is taken if a risk is identified. CSE looks at who the user is, whether the device is trusted, and what they are trying to reach, before and during access. A stolen password on an unknown laptop does not get very far.
For AI, that gives you real control. You can allow an approved AI platform for the teams that need it, and limit access from unmanaged devices. Staff working from home, a client site or a train get the same rules as those in the office. People only see the applications they need, rather than your whole network, which limits the damage if an account is ever compromised. You also gain clearer visibility of how services are being reached, so decisions about AI are based on evidence rather than guesswork.
To be straightforward, CSE is one part of the picture. It controls access, but it does not replace clear policies on what staff can share, or training so people recognise sensitive information. The right mix of access controls, policies and training depends on your business, your people and the data you hold, so a conversation is a sensible place to start
Where to start with cyber security services in Fleet, the South East and beyond
You do not need to solve everything at once. Begin by mapping which AI tools your team already uses and what data may be going into them. From there, agree on an approved list, set access rules for people and devices, pilot with one team, then roll out in stages.
If you are in Fleet, Farnham, Guildford, Horsham or Crawley, or anywhere across Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex and the wider South East, we would be glad to help. We also work with businesses throughout the UK, so wherever you are based, get in touch if you would like a second pair of eyes on where you stand. We are happy to start that conversation, with no pressure and no complicated sales talk.
Speak to the HFI team today about cyber security services and safe AI use: contactus@hfi.co.uk.