TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – Cybersecurity experts say artificial intelligence can be used as a tool, but it comes with risks.
Wayne Hunter, CEO/founder of AvTek Solutions, said people should avoid entering sensitive personal information into AI tools such as Gemini and Claude.
“Instead of putting a social security number, say, ‘I want to do this with an SSN number, how would I go do it?’” Hunter said. “I haven’t put the SSN number out there, I just said I was going to do something with the SSN number. Now, I can make a decision on that, I can get some useful information.”
Colleen Garcia, who served as Director for Cybersecurity Policy at the National Security Council, said she views artificial intelligence as an asset and a threat.
“We are starting to see cybersecurity firms build AI into cybersecurity response tools; however, AI magnifies cyber threats as we understand them. They’re faster, the volume’s higher, they’re more widespread, because they’re not entirely dependent on humans to launch them.”
Hunter and Garcia spoke at the fourth annual Cybersecurity Conference presented by the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce at the W.T. Brookshire Center on Wednesday.
“We’re trying to make a cybersecurity presence here in Tyler,” said Carlos Renteria, chair of the Technology Committee for the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce.
The year’s conference highlighted how small businesses can prepare for cyberattacks.
Garcia said companies should dedicate resources to protecting their information, even if they can’t match the security measures of large corporations.
“What is reasonable for a small company is not going to be the same as what’s reasonable for a large company,” Garcia added.
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