How to Secure Systems with Affordable AI Tools
Discover 5 affordable AI tools to secure low-code systems. How Small- and Medium-Sized Businesses (SMBs) can protect themselves from data breaches with compliance automation, MFA, threat detection, and more.
Quick Security Quiz for SMBs
- Automate Compliance: Do you use tools like SecurityScorecard or CyberGRX to monitor and maintain regulatory standards like GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI DSS?
- Set Role-Based Permissions: Do you restrict access to sensitive data with tools like JumpCloud, and monitor for unusual behavior with Loggly or Splunk?
- Enable Smarter MFA: Have you strengthened your logins using tools like Duo Security or free options like Google Authenticator?
- Monitor Threats in Real Time: Have you deployed tools like Darktrace for AI-driven network monitoring and advanced alerts?
- Update Encryption Automatically: Are your data storage and transfers protected with tools like CipherCloud or VeraCrypt for free encryption?
Keep reading if you’ve answered “no” to any of the above!
Why Cybersecurity for SMBs?
Cyberattacks aren’t just a problem for big corporations — small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are frequent targets because they often lack robust cybersecurity defenses and run their businesses without dedicated IT teams or programmers. For smaller businesses operating on tight budgets, a single data breach can be devastating — leading to costly fines, losing hard-earned customer trust, and even forcing a business to close its doors.
AI-powered security offers SMBs an affordable way to safeguard their systems, protecting sensitive customer data, operational workflows, and compliance with key standards like GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS. Let’s explore how your business can take advantage of these AI-driven security solutions.
SMBs Can Secure Low-Code AI Systems with Affordable AI Tools
No-code and low-code AI platforms like Zapier, Make, or Microsoft’s Power Platform are revolutionizing how SMBs streamline operations, automate workflows, and enhance efficiency. But with this innovation comes the responsibility of safeguarding sensitive data and ensuring systems are protected from cyber threats.
The good news? AI doesn’t just improve operations — it also simplifies security. With AI-powered tools, SMBs can automate complex tasks like compliance, access management, and threat detection, even without a dedicated IT team.
Here’s a comprehensive, actionable guide to help SMBs protect their low-code AI systems effectively and affordably.
1. Automate Compliance with AI Security Tools
If your business handles sensitive customer data — like payments, health records, or personal details — compliance with regulations is non-negotiable. But manually tracking certifications and regulatory updates is time-consuming. AI tools like Global Risk Exchange (formerly CyberGRX) can help SMBs with identifying vulnerabilities in their vendor ecosystems.
How It Works:
- AI tracks compliance certifications like GDPR, PCI DSS, and HIPAA.
- Tools automatically notify you if certifications are about to expire or new updates are needed.
Example Use Case:
A marketing agency relies on Global Risk Exchange to evaluate the security practices of its third-party contractors handling sensitive client data.
Quick Actions for SMBs:
- Check Compliance Requirements: Ask your low-code provider for a list of compliance certifications.
- Assess Risks: Use tools like Global Risk Exchange to assess risks and evaluate compliance gaps.
🚀 Pro Tip: Automate compliance monitoring with tools to stay audit-ready and avoid costly penalties.
2. How AI Secures Data Access for SMBs
Securing sensitive data starts with controlling who can access it and monitoring how it’s used. AI tools provide proactive access controls (limiting access to authorized users) and reactive behavioral monitoring (flagging unusual or suspicious activity).
How It Works:
- Proactive Controls: Role-based access systems restrict access to sensitive files (e.g., financial records, client contracts) based on user roles.
- Behavioral Monitoring: AI flags activities like excessive data downloads, off-hours access, or geographically unusual logins.
Example Use Case:
A law firm prevents interns from accessing client contracts while allowing senior attorneys to edit them. AI flags when an attorney downloads excessive files after midnight, ensuring potential risks are addressed.
Quick Actions for SMBs:
- Set Role-Based Permissions: Use tools like JumpCloud to assign access based on job roles (e.g., employees vs. managers).
- Track Suspicious Behavior: Deploy monitoring tools like Loggly or Splunk to detect unusual activities in your system.
🚀 Pro Tip: Combine access controls with monitoring to detect both unauthorized attempts and misuse by authorized users.
3. Use AI for Smarter Multi-Factor Authentication
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is essential for securing business systems, but AI tools like Duo Security make it even smarter by dynamically analyzing login risks.
How It Works:
- AI adjusts authentication requirements based on context. For example, a login attempt from an unfamiliar device prompts additional verification steps.
- Tools adapt security measures in real time without disrupting legitimate users.
Example Use Case:
A freelance graphic designer uses Duo Security to secure cloud storage for client portfolios. If they log in from a new device, the system requests additional authentication.
Quick Actions for SMBs:
- Enable MFA Everywhere: Set up MFA for systems like email, payment portals, and databases.
- Start Small: Use free tools like Google Authenticator, or upgrade to dynamic AI tools like Duo Security.
🚀 Pro Tip: AI-powered MFA ensures stronger protection while remaining user-friendly for employees.
4. AI Threat Detection: Real-Time Protection for SMB Systems
While data access monitoring focuses on user behavior, system-wide threat detection examines activity across your entire infrastructure, identifying hacking attempts, unusual network traffic, and system anomalies.
How It Works:
- AI tools like Darktrace analyze logs, network activity, and data transfers for irregularities (e.g., repeated login failures, unusual spikes in file uploads).
- Real-time alerts enable quick responses to potential threats before damage occurs.
Example Use Case:
A retail shop uses Darktrace to stop a brute-force attack targeting its customer payment system, protecting sensitive credit card data and avoiding major fines under PCI DSS regulations.
Quick Actions for SMBs:
- Deploy Basic Tools: Start with free log-analysis tools like OSSEC or Wazuh.
- Upgrade for Advanced Threat Detection: Use AI-driven tools like Darktrace for real-time monitoring.
🚀 Pro Tip: System-wide threat detection protects your infrastructure from risks that go beyond user-level activity.
5. Keep Your Business Safe with AI-Driven Encryption Updates
Encryption ensures your data stays safe during storage and transfer, but encryption standards evolve rapidly as threats grow more sophisticated. AI tools like Lookout keep your encryption protocols up to date automatically.
How It Works:
- AI evaluates your encryption practices (e.g., for customer databases, email communication, and cloud backups).
- Tools apply updates to ensure you’re using the latest encryption methods without manual effort.
Example Use Case:
A telehealth provider relies on Lookout to encrypt patient records stored in the cloud, ensuring HIPAA compliance and protecting sensitive health data.
Quick Actions for SMBs:
- Check Encryption Settings: Ask your low-code provider if encryption is enabled for stored and transmitted data.
- Start Simple: Use free tools like VeraCrypt for local encryption, or look into managed services for cloud data.
🚀 Pro Tip: AI-driven encryption keeps your business one step ahead of evolving cyber threats.
Conclusion: Simplify Security with AI
Securing low-code AI systems doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive. By combining proactive measures (like access control) with reactive solutions (like threat detection), AI tools can automate key security processes, allowing SMBs to focus on growth.
Whether you’re a law firm protecting sensitive case files, a fitness studio securing customer payment data, or a telehealth provider safeguarding patient records, AI offers scalable, affordable solutions tailored to your needs.
PS: Start Small
Choose one or two tools from this guide to test today. Let AI handle the heavy lifting while you focus on growing your business and staying one step ahead of cyber threats.
Shawn Clybor (Ph.D.) is an AI consultant, technology and systems architect, and the founder of Clybor Consulting. With a passion for technology and its role in transforming small businesses, Shawn focuses on helping business leaders and startups leverage AI, no-code and low-code platforms, and tools to drive growth and scalability. Shawn has published extensively for public and academic audiences.
Ryan Peterson is an accomplished IT leader with 15 years of experience in governance, risk, and compliance who is currently pursuing his MBA at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Ryan holds multiple certifications, including CISSP and Artificial Intelligence Governance Professional, and is certified in Governance, Risk, and Compliance (ISC2).
