The Security-Usability Dilemma in LLM Guardrails
Evaluating the tradeoffs between protection and functionality
This research examines the critical balance between security and usability when implementing guardrails for large language models.
Key findings:
- Stronger guardrails increase security but often reduce practical usability
- Current industry guardrails show significant tradeoff patterns when evaluated systematically
- No "free lunch" exists - security improvements typically come with functionality costs
- A formal evaluation framework helps measure these tradeoffs effectively
For security professionals, this research provides a structured approach to assess guardrail effectiveness, helping organizations make informed decisions about their LLM protection strategies based on specific use cases and risk tolerance.