DeepSeek, the Chinese chatbot launched in January 2025, has quickly gained traction in the tech and security sectors.
With over 10 million downloads, its rapid adoption raises a critical question: How much of this growth stems from genuine interest, and how much is driven by mere curiosity, without a full understanding of the potential implications? More importantly, could this widespread use be subtly introducing Chinese source code into corporate networks?
The initial controversy surrounding DeepSeek wasn’t just about its capabilities—it was about its pricing. The chatbot disrupted the market by offering high-level mathematics, coding, and reasoning skills comparable to ChatGPT and other leading AI models, but at a significantly lower cost and with far fewer resources.
What Can CISOs Do?
The answer is straightforward: the same things they should already be doing when integrating any new software, hardware, or AI into their systems. The fundamentals of cybersecurity haven’t changed—raising awareness, educating employees, and enforcing essential security measures remain crucial.
However, with Chinese technology already embedded in government systems, critical infrastructure, and private businesses, are we trying to fix a leak after the dam has already burst? The reality is that we lack the time, expertise, and resources to fully map out the extent of Chinese tech within our networks.
Is DeepSeek a Unique Risk?
What sets DeepSeek apart? Is it truly an unprecedented security threat, or is the current media frenzy simply reminding us of concerns we’ve known about for years?
Deepseek AI (Photo: Getty Images)Businesses have long integrated technology from multiple nations—including Russia—without fully considering the long-term consequences. Only now are we stepping back to ask: Was this the right decision?
A hasty, unilateral response from security leaders—while well-intentioned—overlooks the complexity of today’s interconnected business ecosystems.
Security measures like risk assessments, network segmentation, vendor due diligence, and access controls should already be standard practice. These safeguards should not be reactive but rather an ongoing part of cybersecurity strategy, implemented before new technology enters an organization.
The Importance of Due Diligence
Consider the compromised federal phone system during the Obama administration.
Due to a lack of thorough vetting, officials believed they were purchasing an American-built system—only to later discover that, while assembled in the U.S., it contained Chinese components. The takeaway? Due diligence is essential, and failing to invest in it comes at a cost.
If security is truly a priority, we must be willing to invest in it—not just in tools and technology, but in continuous education and awareness. The question isn’t whether DeepSeek poses a security risk. The real question is: Are we finally ready to take security seriously?
