By Brian Butterfield, CISSP
What if a simple calendar invite could shut down your office, leak client files, or start a fake
Zoom meeting without anyone noticing?
That is not a hypothetical. Researchers recently proved it can happen by tricking Google's AI, Gemini.
What Happened with Google's Gemini
A team of security researchers discovered they could manipulate Gemini with nothing more than a
calendar invite. Inside that invite were hidden instructions the AI did not recognize as harmful.
Later, when Gemini was asked to summarize the week's calendar, it executed those hidden
commands. Smart devices in the test office responded immediately. Lights turned off, shutters opened,
and even a boiler switched on.
This was the first time we have seen hackers use AI to trigger real-world actions rather than simply
steal data or spread spam.
Why This Matters for Professionals
AI is no longer an experiment reserved for Silicon Valley. It is already part of how professional firms
work every day.
And as this research shows, attackers are now exploring ways to exploit AI not just for data theft—but
to manipulate real-world systems.
For industries bound by compliance requirements like HIPAA, SOX, or state-level privacy laws, the
risks are twofold:
Financial Penalties: HIPAA violations can range from $100 to $50,000 per incident, with an annual
maximum of $1.5 million per violation category. Reputation Loss: A single breach can destroy client
trust, especially in healthcare, accounting, and legal services. Operational Downtime: A manipulated
AI or smart office system could shut down business operations for hours or days, costing thousands in
lost productivity.
What Business Owners Should Do Right Now
You don't need to be a tech expert to lower your risk. These steps are simple, practical, and make a real difference:
Train Your Team Regularly Employees are your first line of defense. A 15-minute quarterly briefing on new threats (like calendar invite scams) can stop most attacks before they spread. Emphasize: "Don't click, don't connect, don't approve" without verifying first.
Review AI Use in Your Office
Make a list of where AI tools (Google Gemini, Copilot, ChatGPT, etc.) are being used in your workflows. Treat AI like any other business app: make sure it's approved, monitored, and not handling sensitive client data unless controls are in place.
Lock Down Access to Smart Devices
If your office uses smart lights, thermostats, cameras, or locks, set them up on a separate network from your main business systems. This prevents one compromised system from controlling everything.
Harden Email & Calendar Security
Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on Google Workspace or Microsoft 365. Block auto-accept of calendar invites; require employees to manually review them. Teach staff to flag any invite that looks suspicious, especially if it comes from an unknown contact.
Have an Incident Response Contact
Know in advance who you'd call if something "strange" happened with your systems—your IT provider, security partner, or a dedicated hotline. Time matters: fast reporting keeps small problems from becoming disasters.
Bottom Line
AI is here to stay, and so are the risks. Business owners don't need to fear it—but they do need to prepare. With just a few practical safeguards, you can keep your office running smoothly while still taking advantage of AI's benefits.
■ Don't wait for a breach to find your weak spots. Schedule a 15-minute security review with Microtech today and see exactly where AI and smart-device risks could hit your business.
