Palo Alto Networks has unveiled its State of Generative AI 2025 report, revealing an extraordinary 890% increase in Generative AI (GenAI) traffic across Asia-Pacific and Japan in 2024. This surge is attributed to the swift adoption of GenAI tools, such as writing assistants and coding platforms, which are enhancing productivity but also expanding the attack surface for enterprises. The report highlights the pressing need for robust security measures as organisations struggle to keep pace with this rapid technological integration.
The report identifies several key risks associated with the widespread use of GenAI. Notably, data loss prevention incidents linked to GenAI have more than doubled, now constituting 14% of all data security incidents. The emergence of “Shadow AI”—unauthorised and unsanctioned GenAI use—poses significant challenges for IT and security teams, creating blind spots in data flow management. Furthermore, the technology and manufacturing sectors, which account for 39% of AI coding transactions, face heightened risks due to their reliance on proprietary intellectual property.
In Singapore, the top GenAI applications include Microsoft Power Apps, Grammarly, and OpenAI/ChatGPT. As the nation strengthens its position as a leader in AI governance, the report underscores the importance of balancing innovation with security. Tom Scully, Director and Principal Architect for Government and Critical Industries at Palo Alto Networks, emphasised the need for proactive oversight and adaptive security controls to mitigate risks associated with high-risk GenAI applications.
The report also offers recommendations for businesses to safely leverage GenAI, including establishing comprehensive oversight of app usage, safeguarding sensitive data, and implementing Zero Trust security architectures. As enterprises continue to embrace GenAI, the focus must remain on securing these technologies to ensure they contribute positively to business operations without compromising security or public trust.
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