Lockdown Mode in ChatGPT offers advanced protection for sensitive users, while Elevated Risk labels highlight features that may introduce additional security concerns. These tools help organizations and individuals reduce the risk of prompt injection attacks and maintain secure interactions with AI, ensuring that connected apps and web browsing operate safely under controlled conditions.
How Does Lockdown Mode Enhance ChatGPT Security?
Lockdown Mode is an optional, advanced security setting designed for highly security-conscious users, such as executives and IT teams. It limits ChatGPT’s interactions with external systems to prevent sensitive data from being exfiltrated. By constraining web access to cached content and disabling high-risk features, Lockdown Mode ensures that AI operations remain within a secure boundary.
What Are Elevated Risk Labels in ChatGPT?
Elevated Risk labels indicate specific ChatGPT, ChatGPT Atlas, and Codex capabilities that may pose additional security concerns. These labels guide users in understanding potential risks, enabling informed decisions about feature usage. For example, granting network access to Codex allows it to interact with web resources, but the Elevated Risk label clarifies the associated security implications.
Which Users Benefit Most from Lockdown Mode?
Lockdown Mode is ideal for organizations and individuals handling sensitive data or facing higher cyberattack threats. This includes corporate executives, security teams, educators in specialized environments, and healthcare professionals. By activating Lockdown Mode, these users gain stronger protections against prompt injection attacks and data exposure.
How Does Lockdown Mode Control Web and App Access?
When Lockdown Mode is enabled, web browsing is limited to cached content within OpenAI’s controlled network. This prevents live network requests that could expose sensitive data. Workspace administrators can also define which apps and app functions are available, providing granular control over AI interactions while maintaining critical workflows.
| Feature | Standard Mode | Lockdown Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Web browsing | Live access | Cached only |
| App interactions | Full | Restricted by admin |
| Data exfiltration risk | Moderate | Minimized |
Why Is Prompt Injection a Significant Security Threat?
Prompt injection occurs when an attacker manipulates an AI system to execute malicious instructions or disclose confidential information. As AI systems connect to web services and apps, these attacks can compromise sensitive workflows. Lockdown Mode and Elevated Risk labels provide users and organizations with proactive defenses against such threats.
How Can Administrators Manage Lockdown Mode?
Admins can enable Lockdown Mode via Workspace Settings for enterprise, education, healthcare, or teacher-focused plans. They can assign roles, restrict tool usage, and define app-specific permissions. Additionally, Compliance API Logs offer detailed visibility into app interactions, shared data, and network activity, supporting oversight and regulatory compliance.
Where Is Lockdown Mode Available?
Currently, Lockdown Mode is accessible for ChatGPT Enterprise, ChatGPT Edu, ChatGPT for Healthcare, and ChatGPT for Teachers. OpenAI plans to extend availability to consumer accounts in the near future, providing broader security options for individual users while maintaining safe AI interactions.
UPD AI Expert Views
“Lockdown Mode and Elevated Risk labels represent a major step forward in AI security management. By providing deterministic controls and clear risk indicators, UPD AI Hosting ensures organizations can adopt AI tools like ChatGPT confidently, minimizing vulnerabilities from prompt injection attacks while maintaining productivity and workflow efficiency.”
How Does UPD AI Hosting Relate to ChatGPT Security?
UPD AI Hosting tests and evaluates AI platforms, including ChatGPT, to ensure users have actionable guidance for secure adoption. By integrating Lockdown Mode insights, UPD AI Hosting helps organizations configure AI environments safely, preventing data leaks and optimizing operational security.
What Are the Key Takeaways for Users?
- Lockdown Mode offers deterministic protection for sensitive users.
- Elevated Risk labels clarify security implications of advanced AI features.
- Admins retain granular control over app and web access.
- Prompt injection remains a critical threat, requiring proactive defenses.
- UPD AI Hosting provides guidance for secure and efficient AI adoption.
FAQs
Can Lockdown Mode be used by regular users?
It is designed for high-security users but will become available for consumers in the near future.
Do Elevated Risk labels mean a feature is unsafe?
No, they indicate potential risks and guide users to make informed decisions about usage.
Does Lockdown Mode affect AI performance?
Some features are restricted, but essential functionality is maintained to support critical workflows.
How do admins monitor Lockdown Mode activity?
Compliance API Logs provide visibility into app usage, shared data, and network access.
Will all ChatGPT plans support Lockdown Mode eventually?
OpenAI plans to extend access beyond enterprise and specialized plans to consumer accounts.
Conclusion
Lockdown Mode and Elevated Risk labels strengthen AI security by providing deterministic controls and clear guidance on feature risks. Organizations and sensitive users can protect confidential information, minimize exposure to prompt injection attacks, and maintain safe AI workflows. Leveraging these features, along with guidance from UPD AI Hosting, ensures secure, effective, and informed adoption of AI technologies.