As AI spreads across an organisation, security needs a structured programme rather than project-by-project effort.
Ownership
Define who is responsible for AI security — often a partnership between security, data, legal and business teams — and give them authority.
Inventory
Maintain a register of AI systems, models, data sources, tools, vendors and owners. You can't secure what you don't know about, including shadow AI.
Policy
- Acceptable use for staff.
- Security requirements for building and buying AI.
- Data classification rules for AI use.
- Approval processes for high-risk systems.
Standard Controls
Reusable patterns: approved model gateways, logging, redaction, access-controlled retrieval, agent sandboxes. Standard components make secure choices the easy ones.
Assurance
Threat modelling, testing and red teaming proportional to risk.
Skills
Train security teams on AI threats and AI teams on security.
Monitoring and Response
Integrate AI into security operations and incident response.
Improve Continuously
Review incidents, threat intelligence and new capabilities regularly, and update the programme.