Feb 2026
Securing AI adoption without slowing innovation
Over the past year, one theme has come through clearly across our client work: employees are adopting AI and cloud tools faster than organisational governance can keep up.
From developers using personal AI assistants to review code, to teams uploading corporate content into unsanctioned platforms for reporting, summarisation, or file conversion - the intent is usually productivity, but the risk is that this can introduce real exposure around data leakage, loss of intellectual property, and regulatory compliance.
For leadership teams, the question often isn’t whether AI will be used - that decision has largely been made - but how AI can be used safely, with the visibility and control needed to manage risk without putting the brakes on innovation.
That’s where strong architecture and clear guardrails matter.
Recently we’ve been helping organisations:
- Regain visibility into cloud and GenAI usage
- Reduce Shadow IT and Shadow AI risk
- Implement practical controls across data protection, SaaS governance, and web access
A key part of this work has been using Netskope as a foundational platform to support secure, policy-driven adoption of modern cloud and AI services, and we’re pleased to share that Waterstons is now an official Netskope Partner.
This strengthens our ability to support clients with both strategic advice and end-to-end delivery - from risk identification and architecture design through to implementation and ongoing optimisation, all while helping drive more cost-effective outcomes.
But what does good look like as AI reshapes how we work? Organisations that succeed will be the ones that:
- Embrace innovation with intent
- Build visibility before enforcement
- Treat AI governance as a business enabler, not a blocker
If you’re navigating AI adoption, cloud risk, or data protection challenges, let’s talk about how you can move fast - and stay secure - get in touch at cyber@waterstons.com