Security and privacy in pharmaceuticals
AsscherAi helps pharmaceutical companies maintain compliance by answering questions about their own data, such as verifying supplier certifications or investigating batch record deviations, while ensuring the security and integrity of sensitive data through measures like input validation and least privilege access controls.
A procurement manager at a pharmaceutical company is reviewing a purchase order for a new supplier of active ingredients, and needs to check the supplier's compliance with regulatory requirements, so they use AsscherAi to query the supplier database and verify the necessary certifications.
Pharmaceuticals' unique challenges
The pharmaceutical industry has strict documentation rules and validated processes that can make it harder to deploy a new system like AsscherAi, which can answer questions about an organisation's own data in real time. Change control overhead is a significant issue, as any changes to the system must be thoroughly documented and approved to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Batch record review and deviation investigation time can also be lengthy and complex, requiring careful review of all relevant data and documentation.
For example, a quality control specialist may need to review a batch record to investigate a deviation in the manufacturing process, and use AsscherAi to query the batch record database and identify the root cause of the deviation. This requires careful consideration of the system's impact on these processes, and thorough documentation of all changes and approvals.
Data processing and storage
When deploying AsscherAi in a pharmaceutical company, it is essential to consider where data is processed and stored, and whether the system trains on any sensitive data. The system must be configured to comply with all relevant regulatory requirements, including data protection and privacy laws. This may require careful review of the system's architecture and data flows, as well as implementation of additional security measures such as encryption and access controls.
A system administrator may need to configure the system to store data in a secure, compliant manner, and ensure that all data processing and storage is properly documented and auditable. This can be a complex task, requiring careful consideration of the system's technical architecture and the organisation's specific compliance requirements.
Prompt injection as a data-boundary problem
Prompt injection is a potential security risk in any system that uses natural language processing, including AsscherAi. This occurs when an attacker is able to inject malicious input into the system, potentially allowing them to access sensitive data or disrupt system operation. In a pharmaceutical company, this could have serious consequences, including compromise of sensitive research data or disruption of critical manufacturing processes.
To mitigate this risk, it is essential to implement robust security measures, including input validation and sanitisation, as well as regular security testing and monitoring. A security specialist may need to review the system's security controls and implement additional measures to prevent prompt injection attacks, such as implementing a web application firewall or conducting regular penetration testing.
Least privilege for an assistant
AsscherAi is designed to be a powerful tool for querying an organisation's own data, but this also means that it must be carefully configured to ensure that it only has access to the data and systems that it needs to perform its functions. This is known as the principle of least privilege, and it is essential for maintaining the security and integrity of the system.
For example, a category manager may need to use AsscherAi to compare two suppliers, but they should only have access to the data and systems that are necessary for this task. A system administrator may need to configure the system to implement least privilege access controls, ensuring that each user only has access to the data and systems that they need to perform their job functions. You can find more information on configuring access controls on our website.
Limitations and wrong choices
While AsscherAi can be a powerful tool for querying an organisation's own data, it is not a substitute for human judgement and expertise. In some cases, it may be the wrong choice for a particular task or application, such as situations where complex decision-making or nuanced analysis is required. Additionally, AsscherAi is not designed to provide external data or information, and should not be used as a substitute for other sources of data or expertise.
If you are considering deploying AsscherAi in your organisation, but are unsure about its suitability for a particular task or application, you can contact us for more information and guidance on our contact page. We can help you to determine whether AsscherAi is the right choice for your needs, and provide support and guidance on deployment and configuration.
Frequently asked questions
How does AsscherAi ensure compliance with regulatory requirements in pharmaceuticals?
AsscherAi is configured to comply with relevant regulatory requirements, including data protection and privacy laws, and ensures thorough documentation of all changes and approvals.
What is prompt injection and how can it be mitigated in AsscherAi?
Prompt injection is a security risk where malicious input is injected into the system, and can be mitigated through input validation, sanitisation, and regular security testing and monitoring.
How does AsscherAi implement the principle of least privilege?
AsscherAi implements least privilege access controls, ensuring each user only has access to the data and systems necessary for their job functions, and can be configured by a system administrator.
What are the limitations of using AsscherAi in pharmaceutical companies?
AsscherAi is not a substitute for human judgement and expertise, and should not be used for complex decision-making or nuanced analysis, and is not designed to provide external data or information.