Forget Data Leakage: Shadow AI's Real Threat Is Access Control

While shadow AI—the use of unauthorized AI tools by employees—is often discussed in terms of data leakage risks, security experts now warn that the bigger threat is access control. When employees use unapproved AI systems, organizations lose visibility and control over who can access sensitive resources, creating security gaps that traditional perimeter defenses can't address. This shifts the shadow AI conversation from data protection to a broader identity and access management challenge.