Agentic AI: Security Risks Lurking

Organizations are increasingly adopting agentic AI for productivity gains, with a PWC study showing 79% of businesses employing AI agents. However, this rapid deployment necessitates concurrent advancements in governance to manage the associated security risks.

Agentic AI relies on APIs for information gathering and decision-making. As AI ambitions grow, so does the number of API connections, creating potential security blind spots. APIs are a major cyberattack vector, responsible for over 40,000 incidents in six months. Unsecured API endpoints can expose vast amounts of user data.

Without central oversight, 'Shadow AI' emerges, leading to further visibility gaps. Autonomous agents can access sensitive data and execute workflows without human supervision, potentially leading to unintended data disclosures. A recent report indicated 71% of UK employees use unapproved AI tools at work.

Additionally, 'zombie APIs'—decommissioned yet active connections—and undocumented agents expand the attack surface. Malicious inputs to agents can infect systems, and unmanaged agents may expose sensitive information.

To address these risks, enterprises need strong policies and technology, including a centralized data hub. AI agents should be managed like employees, with access controls and regular reviews. A centralized AI management platform provides visibility, control, and auditability, essential for regulatory compliance.

As agentic AI becomes more prevalent, API security and AI management are critical. Robust governance and oversight enable organizations to safely scale AI ambitions and unlock hyper-productivity, positioning them for revolutionary advancements.