Important warning
Use AI prompts responsibly.
Never copy and paste prompts from unknown or untrusted sources into environments that contain real or sensitive data. Prompts are part of your security boundary and should be handled with the same discipline as other controlled inputs.
Why this matters in GovCon
- CUI, proposal content, pricing data, and sensitive acquisition details can trigger compliance and reporting obligations if handled carelessly.
- Prompt injection, data leakage, uncontrolled retention, and intellectual property exposure are real risks in regulated environments.
- Human reviewers must confirm what goes in, what comes out, and whether the output is safe to use.
Federal and cybersecurity references
- NIST AI RMF for AI risk governance and oversight.
- NIST SP 800-53 for controls such as input validation and system integrity.
- NIST SP 800-171 for CUI safeguarding expectations.
- OWASP Top 10 for LLMs for prompt injection and data exfiltration risks.
- OMB M-24-10, DFARS 252.204-7012, and CMMC for federal and defense data-handling obligations.
What good practice looks like
- Use structured prompting methods such as ROCCCV.
- Use only approved AI environments for sensitive work.
- Minimize data exposure and avoid pasting more information than necessary.
- Review outputs before sharing, acting, or submitting.
Bottom line
- Validate prompts.
- Control prompts.
- Document human review.
- Never assume a prompt is safe simply because it looks helpful.