AI Security Assessment for secure AI adoption

Artificial intelligence (AI) is quickly becoming a business necessity. An AI Security Assessment provides organizations with a practical way to adopt AI securely while identifying risks, improving governance and protecting sensitive information. Organizations that fail to adopt AI may find it more difficult to compete with organizations that can move faster, automate routine tasks and make better use of their data.

At the same time, organizations face a new challenge: How can they adopt AI without creating unnecessary risk?

For SMB and mid-market organizations, this challenge can be particularly difficult. Unlike larger enterprises, many organizations do not have dedicated AI governance teams, AI specialists or formal policies to guide adoption. Nevertheless, employees are already using AI tools, vendors are embedding AI into business applications and customers increasingly expect AI-enabled services.

Consequently, organizations need a practical way to adopt AI while protecting sensitive information, managing risk and demonstrating responsible use.

Why AI governance matters

Many organizations already use AI across the business.

For example, employees may use AI tools to draft emails, create presentations, summarize meetings, analyze data or support software development. Meanwhile, software vendors continue to integrate AI capabilities into products organizations already use every day.

However, AI adoption often moves faster than governance.

As a result, organizations commonly face challenges such as:

• Sensitive information being submitted to AI systems
• Unclear ownership of AI-related decisions
• Inconsistent approval processes for AI tools
• Third-party and vendor risk concerns
• Compliance and regulatory exposure
• Limited visibility into how AI systems are being used

Furthermore, these concerns are not theoretical. Reuters reported that AI-related data breaches are increasing and that unauthorized "shadow AI" use has become a significant contributor to data-loss incidents. Verizon's 2026 Data Breach Investigations Report also highlights the growing role of AI-assisted cyber activity in the threat landscape.

Therefore, organizations need visibility before they can effectively manage risk.

What is an AI Security Assessment?

The OpenText™ AI Security Assessment helps organizations understand how AI is being used today, identify risks and establish a roadmap for secure adoption.

The assessment aligns with the NIST AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF) and ISO/IEC 42001, recognized frameworks and standards that help organizations adopt AI securely and responsibly.

NIST developed the AI RMF to help organizations manage AI-related risks and improve trust in AI systems. ISO/IEC 42001 provides a structured framework for establishing, implementing and continually improving AI governance programs.

Rather than focusing solely on technology, an AI Security Assessment evaluates governance, policy, risk management and operational controls. In other words, the assessment examines the business processes required to support secure and responsible AI adoption.

The assessment also reviews risks associated with:

• Data exposure
• Unauthorized AI use
• Shadow AI
• AI-enabled third-party services
• Privacy and compliance obligations
• Access controls and governance processes

Ultimately, the goal is not to slow innovation.

Instead, the goal is to help organizations adopt AI with confidence.

Four pillars of the AI Security Assessment

The OpenText™ AI Security Assessment organizes findings around four practical pillars that align with the governance, risk management and operational principles found within NIST AI RMF and ISO/IEC 42001.

Governance

First, the assessment evaluates ownership, accountability and oversight.

Key questions include:

• Who owns AI risk?
• Who approves AI use cases?
• How are decisions reviewed?
• How does leadership maintain oversight?

As a result, organizations gain a clear governance structure and defined decision-making responsibilities.

Risk assessment

Next, the assessment identifies AI use cases, inventories AI technologies and evaluates risks related to data exposure, prompt leakage, privacy, security, compliance and business operations.

Consequently, organizations gain a prioritized understanding of where risks exist and where remediation efforts should focus.

Policy and process

However, technology alone cannot govern AI.

Therefore, the assessment reviews existing policies and evaluates controls covering:

• Acceptable use
• Data handling
• Vendor management
• Access control
• Employee responsibilities

Organizations then receive practical recommendations that fit within existing business and security processes.

Evidence and audit readiness

Finally, the assessment evaluates documentation, reporting and governance records.

Customers, regulators, insurers and business partners increasingly expect organizations to demonstrate responsible AI practices. Therefore, this pillar focuses on creating defensible governance and maintaining evidence that supports audits, assessments and compliance activities.

What organizations receive from an AI Security Assessment

At the conclusion of the AI Security Assessment, organizations receive:

• An inventory of AI-related activities and technologies
• An AI risk and maturity assessment
• Identification of governance and control gaps
• Policy and process recommendations
• Vendor and third-party AI observations
• Prioritized remediation guidance
• A roadmap aligned to NIST AI RMF and ISO/IEC 42001

Most importantly, the roadmap helps organizations move from ad hoc AI adoption toward a structured and manageable AI governance program.

AI governance is becoming a business requirement

The growing focus on AI governance is not limited to large enterprises.

In fact, organizations around the world are adopting governance frameworks and assessment approaches based on ISO/IEC 42001 and NIST AI RMF. Major consulting and assurance firms, including Deloitte, PwC and EY, have publicly discussed or launched AI governance and AI assurance services.

This trend reflects a broader reality: AI governance is rapidly becoming a business requirement rather than a future consideration.

For SMB and mid-market organizations, however, the challenge is not understanding that governance is important. Instead, the challenge is implementing governance in a practical, affordable and sustainable way.

What success looks like

Organizations do not need to choose between innovation and security.

The most successful AI programs establish governance early, understand where AI is being used and implement controls that support responsible growth.

By identifying risks, defining accountability and aligning governance practices with recognized frameworks, organizations can move beyond experimentation and create a foundation for long-term AI adoption.

For SMB and mid-market organizations, an AI Security Assessment provides a practical starting point. Rather than guessing where risks may exist, leaders gain a clearer understanding of current AI use, governance gaps and the actions needed to support future growth.

As AI becomes embedded in everyday business operations, organizations that establish governance today will be better positioned to innovate with confidence tomorrow.

Learn more

Ready to understand your AI risks and build a roadmap for secure AI adoption?

Organizations that seek external expertise can benefit from OpenText Managed Security and Advisory Services, which help assess risk, improve visibility and strengthen cyber resilience.

Contact your OpenText Client Executive or email SecurityServices@opentext.com to learn more about the OpenText AI Security Assessment. Learn more about OpenText Cyber Resilience Services.