In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology, the advent of agentic artificial intelligence (AI) marks a significant shift in how enterprises approach cybersecurity and business operations. By 2025, agentic AI is poised to transform these domains by enabling organizations to achieve specific goals, make critical decisions, and take mitigation actions with minimal human intervention.
Rise of Agentic AI
Agentic AI systems are expected to drive the development of sophisticated AI-based cyber defenses that can autonomously make decisions and respond to threats. These systems are designed to implement protective measures without constant human oversight, reducing the time and effort needed to address security incidents.
Emerging Risks
While agentic AI offers numerous benefits, it also introduces new risks. According to Nicole Carignan from Darktrace, the use of multi-agent AI systems could lead to data breaches, prompt injections, and threats to data privacy. Governance and robust training programs are essential to mitigate these risks, as emphasized by experts like Akiba Saeedi of IBM.
Shadow AI
An emerging challenge is the issue of “shadow AI,” where employees use unsanctioned AI tools that are not approved by the organization. Such practices can lead to significant security and governance concerns. To effectively manage these, businesses need to establish clear governance policies and implement automated detection measures to identify unauthorized AI usage.
AI in Software Development
Generative AI has the potential to revolutionize software development by creating code more efficiently. However, securing AI-generated code remains a priority, as highlighted by Tariq Shaukat of Sonar. Incorporating a “trust and verify” approach early in the software development lifecycle is crucial to ensuring the reliability and security of the code.
Evolving Cybersecurity Roles
As intelligent technology continues to evolve, the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) will play a pivotal role in ensuring business resilience by balancing innovation with risk management. CISOs will be instrumental in translating cybersecurity investments into measurable business impacts, making it imperative for them to lead with a strategic perspective.
Automation and Efficiency
AI agents will play a key role in automating threat detection processes, thereby enhancing response speed and overall resilience. However, their increasing sophistication may introduce new security vulnerabilities and accidental data leaks. Implementing stringent data access policies and organizational best practices will help mitigate these concerns.
Integration of AI in Business Operations
Artificial intelligence is set to become central to various business operations. Enterprises must scrutinize AI technologies for third-party risks and potential exposures of sensitive information. This will necessitate greater accountability and stringent oversight to protect valuable data assets.
Shift Toward Build-First Approach
Jason Meller of 1Password predicts that AI will reduce the cost of software development, encouraging Chief Information Officers (CIOs) to develop customized security solutions rather than relying solely on vendor-provided options. This shift to a build-first approach will position IT departments as value creators within the organization.
Evolution of Cybersecurity Measures
Traditional methods of identifying malicious activity will become less effective with the advent of agentic AI. Future security systems will need to predict behaviors and intents, introducing new challenges in API security and bot management. This paradigm shift will require organizations to adopt more advanced detection and mitigation strategies.
Increased Accountability for AI-Generated Code
AI-generated code must undergo stringent review processes to prevent security vulnerabilities. Developers must ensure that such code meets high-quality and security standards, emphasizing the importance of accountability in AI-driven coding practices.
Transformation of DevOps Pipelines
AI will revolutionize DevOps pipelines by predicting bottlenecks and suggesting optimizations. This will result in predictive production lines and workflows that address potential issues before they impact production, fostering a more proactive approach to development and operations.
Leadership and Governance
As AI technologies mature, executive leadership and boards will prioritize software as a critical business asset. CISOs will champion resilience-based strategies, embedding security throughout the organization. This approach reflects a broader understanding that cyber incidents result from systemic issues rather than isolated failures.
Cybersecurity Automation
Security Operations Centers (SOCs) will increasingly rely on machine learning and automation to handle the growing volume of network data. This shift will allow human analysts to focus on more complex tasks, enhancing the overall effectiveness of cybersecurity efforts.
Evolution of Security Roles
The specialization of cybersecurity practitioners will give way to multi-disciplinary professionals adept at navigating various security challenges. This transition will emphasize holistic and integrative problem-solving skills, fostering a more versatile security workforce.
Focus on Code Quality
Development and security teams will shift their training budgets towards auto-remediation technologies. By relying more on generative AI to automatically find and fix vulnerabilities, these teams can reduce the necessity to learn secure coding practices from scratch.
Identity Governance for AI Agents
AI agents will require identity governance similar to human users, with specific permissions and access privileges. This will include securing these agents to prevent them from being exploited in the same ways humans might be, underscoring the need for robust identity management.
Vendor Consolidation
The trend towards unified cybersecurity platforms will continue, aimed at reducing operational inefficiencies and improving risk posture for under-resourced security teams. This consolidation will help streamline security efforts and provide more comprehensive protection against emerging threats.
Conclusion
In the swiftly changing realm of technology, the rise of agentic artificial intelligence (AI) signifies a major turning point in the approaches businesses take towards cybersecurity and operational management. By the year 2025, agentic AI is set to revolutionize these areas by empowering companies to reach specific objectives, make crucial decisions, and execute mitigation strategies with minimal need for human input.
Agentic AI, a term that refers to AI systems capable of independent decision-making, will allow businesses to operate with a degree of autonomy previously unattainable. Such AI will be integral in streamlining processes, enhancing efficiency, and bolstering security protocols against sophisticated cyber threats. Companies will find it significantly easier to respond to incidents in real-time, leveraging AI’s ability to analyze vast amounts of data swiftly and accurately. This transformation is not just about reducing the human workload but also about improving the accuracy and speed of decisions, ultimately leading to more robust and secure business environments.
