Blocking ChatGPT Isn’t Security, It’s Just Employee Distrust

An Illusion of Control

"We've blocked ChatGPT." Companies proudly announce this as if they've solved their security problem. But here's the uncomfortable truth: they've solved nothing. Employees aren’t suddenly behaving securely just because you blocked a domain. Instead, they're finding creative ways around your restrictions.

Human Nature Always Finds a Shortcut

Have you ever seen a dirt trail slicing through a neatly manicured park? It's there because the sidewalk takes too long, so people make their own path. Humans naturally seek the quickest and easiest route. Work is no different. When faced with cumbersome compliance processes, lengthy firewall approvals, or blanket bans, employees don’t magically fall into line, they find shortcuts. They’ll paste sensitive information into personal ChatGPT accounts on their phones, using unsecured hotel Wi-Fi if that's what it takes.

Compliance Alone Isn't the Answer, too many organizations rely solely on compliance slides and firewalls, mistakenly believing these are foolproof measures. But you can't firewall human behavior. You can't control it by simply banning access to a specific tool or website. Employees aren't maliciously seeking risk, they’re just trying to do their jobs as efficiently as possible.

If blocking a tool is your primary security strategy, what you're really saying is, "We don't trust you to handle this responsibly." Real security comes from respecting your employees and equipping them with safer defaults. It means gently nudging them when the risk is genuine, rather than imposing blanket prohibitions. Trust your team to make good decisions, and they'll reward you with transparency and cooperation.

A More Effective Security Approach

Instead of banning ChatGPT at the domain level:

• Educate employees on safe usage practices.
• Provide clear guidelines and safer alternatives.
• Regularly communicate about actual risks and best practices.

By treating your team like responsible adults, you create an environment of mutual respect and genuine security awareness.

Blocking ChatGPT might feel like taking decisive action, but it's just superficial. True security requires understanding human nature, establishing trust, and guiding behavior, not restricting tools. The sooner leaders realize this, the sooner they can genuinely secure their organization's data without undermining employee morale.