How Small Businesses Can Get Better Results from AI (Without Creating New Security Risks)
AI can be a powerful tool for small businesses—but only if it’s used intentionally and responsibly. Just like security awareness training, success with AI comes down to how well people understand and use the tool.
1️⃣ Be Clear About the Business Outcome Vague prompts produce vague answers. Instead of “Write a policy,” try: “Create a one-page acceptable use policy for a 20-person company with no dedicated IT staff.”
2️⃣ Provide Context and Constraints Small businesses operate differently. Say so. Include your industry, company size, regulatory concerns, and technical maturity.
3️⃣ Assign a Role to the AI This dramatically improves relevance. Example: “Act as a security awareness advisor for small businesses.”
4️⃣ Break Requests Into Manageable Steps Just like training, learning works best in stages. Ask for an outline first, then refine sections one at a time.
5️⃣ Control the Format Tell AI exactly how you’ll use the output: – short training script – phishing awareness email – executive summary – employee checklist
6️⃣ Avoid Sharing Sensitive Information This is where awareness matters most. Never include passwords, client data, internal system details, or confidential business information in prompts.
7️⃣ Treat AI Like a Junior Team Member AI can assist—but it shouldn’t operate unsupervised. Review outputs for accuracy, tone, and security implications before sharing them with staff.
8️⃣ Reinforce Training with AI—Don’t Replace It AI can support awareness training, policy creation, and simulations—but human understanding and accountability still matter.