DeepSeek & Data Security: How Mimecast Incydr Safeguards Your Sensitive Information

    Mimecast Incydr releases detection for DeepSeek GenAI to protect and prevent loss of IP and other sensitive corporate data through unsanctioned use of the application

    by Jeff Schumann

    The rise of generative AI (GenAI) tools has reshaped how society works and innovates. But with this acceleration comes risk, and the latest entry in the GenAI race has raised concerns for security leaders. 

    DeepSeek, a fast-growing Chinese startup, has rapidly gained attention with its cutting-edge AI assistant. Offering capabilities that rival or surpass industry leaders like ChatGPT, DeepSeek’s GenAI is 20-50x cheaper to run and now top-rated on platforms like Apple’s App Store. While its popularity continues to soar, its use within organizations presents a growing threat to the confidentiality of sensitive corporate data. 

    For CISOs, the challenge is clear: how do we prevent employees from mishandling or leaking sensitive data to unsanctioned GenAI tools like DeepSeek?

    Understanding the Risk: GenAI and Data Exposure

    GenAI tools like DeepSeek are designed to generate vast amounts of text outputs from user prompts, which can lead to unintended data exposure. Employee mishandling of data on GenAI platforms increasingly puts corporate data at risk. According to the 2024 Data Exposure Report, 86% of security leaders fear employees are leaking data to GenAI tools – potentially exposing sensitive information to competitors. For example, a simple act of prompting a GenAI bot to craft a more enticing email about upcoming product announcements can expose confidential corporate roadmap data to the public domain.

    Mimecast Incydr: An IRM & Data Protection Solution Built for the GenAI Era

    To address this growing challenge, Mimecast today unveils new detections for its Incydr product which allow security teams to efficiently pinpoint and respond to events where data from sensitive business sources moves to the new GenAI tool DeepSeek.

    The new release builds upon a robust set of existing GenAI protections, including:

    • Comprehensive GenAI Coverage: Incydr continues to offer protections for other popular GenAI tools like ChatGPT (including the desktop app), Google Gemini, Jasper, and Perplexity, ensuring a broad defense strategy.
    • PRISM Risk Prioritization: Incydr’s PRISM system scores and prioritizes GenAI use, surfacing the most critical risks for automated controls or security team investigation.
    • Granular Controls: Incydr can identify and block both copy/paste and file upload activities to unsanctioned GenAI tools, providing the controls needed to mitigate data leaks before they happen.
    • Microtraining for Employees: Education remains a key intervention to reduce human risk. Incydr offers microtraining nudges to guide employees on secure GenAI use, as well as corrective nudges to address risky behaviors as they happen.

    Why DeepSeek Matters to Security Teams

    DeepSeek’s GenAI is not just another productivity tool—it’s a disruptor. With the company’s claims of superior performance and cost-efficiency compared to U.S.-based AI models, DeepSeek is quickly gaining traction. Its rapid rise signals a need for heightened vigilance in protecting intellectual property (IP) and other sensitive data. For CISOs, the risks posed by unsanctioned GenAI usage are too significant to ignore. Incydr’s GenAI capabilities help organizations strike the right balance between innovation and protection.

    Ready to Take Control?

    Learn more about how Mimecast Incydr can protect your organization from GenAI risks. Contact us to try Incydr today.

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