AI Enablement playbook/Module 5 · Shadow AI & security

Day 43 / 100 · Shadow AI & security · Prompt injection, explained

Hidden instructions. Real actions.

AI can't reliably tell the difference between content it reads and instructions it should follow. Attackers use that gap.

Direct

Typed In

A user types something like “ignore your rules and…” to push the AI off-script.

Indirect

Hidden In Content

Instructions buried in a webpage, email or document the AI is asked to read.

Defences

Limit The Damage

Fewer tools and permissions, human approval for actions, and outside content treated as untrusted.

Untrusted input plus tools: approve every action.