Agentic AI: Balancing Potential and Privacy Risks

Some good forward-thinking here - insights that begin to delve into the new and complex dimensions that the age of AI introduces to cybersecurity. An interesting read on deploying agentic AI with safety and security, and the start of a playbook for leaders in the space - for me it is further highlighting the need for more in-depth and broad cyber education. #AI #Cybersecurity #TechnologyLeaders #cybersecuritymonth https://lnkd.in/gE2bVfdV

A great article from McKinsey: The immense value of agentic AI is directly proportional to its risk. When an AI can act autonomously — executing trades, managing data, interacting with customers — a security breach is no longer just a data leak. It's an active, unauthorized action that can lead to direct financial, operational, and reputational damage. Treating security as an afterthought doesn't just weaken organizations’ agentic AI deployment; it can erase the very competitive advantage and ROI organizations were trying to capture. The lesson is clear: Security isn't a feature to be bolted on. It's the foundational principle that makes agentic AI viable at scale. #AgenticAI #AISecurity #CyberSecurity

Autonomous AI agents present new opportunities compared to other forms of artificial intelligence, but these opportunities also come with many new and complex risks that require careful consideration. These could introduce vulnerabilities that disrupt operations, compromise sensitive data, or erode customer trust. From untraceable data leakage to cross-agent task escalation, these errors and cyber threats threaten to erode faith in key business processes and undermine whatever efficiency gains they offer. To avoid these issues, companies must ensure that their AI policy framework addresses agentic systems and their unique risks. Also important is establishing the kind of robust governance that can track AI performance across its entire lifecycle, avoiding the potential for chained vulnerabilities. #AgenticAI #AIGovernance #Cybersecurity

It is crucial to prioritize safety and security as you navigate the complexities of agentic AI. McKinsey's latest playbook outlines best practices for AI governance, cybersecurity risk assessment, and autonomous system management. https://okt.to/Hm2Bck

Reinventing Identity Security for the Age of AI The The AI Journal recently published an excellent article, “Why CISOs Must Reinvent Data Security for the Age of AI.” It highlights a growing reality in banking and cybersecurity: AI has fundamentally changed how data moves, who interacts with it, and how quickly risk can spread. Traditional IAM systems were designed for static environments and predictable user roles. But today, identities include not just people, but APIs, bots, and AI-driven services. Access changes constantly, and compliance risks often hide in entitlement sprawl and shadow automation. At Provision IAM, we believe the next generation of identity security must:  • Automate joiner, mover, and leaver processes across systems—human and machine.  • Enforce least-privilege access through role-based and policy-driven controls.  • Provide real-time visibility into who has access, why, and what’s changing.  • Integrate identity intelligence with data activity for true security context. As AI reshapes how organizations operate, identity becomes the new perimeter. Financial institutions running Jack Henry (Symitar, SilverLake, CIF 20/20), FIS, Fiserv, or Corelation, Inc. cores are finding that automation isn’t optional—it’s the only way to keep pace with modern risk and regulatory demands. The future of data security isn’t just about protecting information—it’s about governing access at machine speed. #Cybersecurity #IdentitySecurity #IAM #AI #DataSecurity #Banking #CreditUnions #ProvisionIAM #JackHenry #Fiserv #FIS #Corelation https://lnkd.in/ee_vbwpR

Multinational companies face an ever-changing patchwork of AI, data, and cybersecurity regulations across jurisdictions. AI regulation is at different stages globally. One jurisdiction tightens data residency rules. Another updates breach notification timelines. A third redefines what counts as sensitive data. If compliance isn't architected into your platform, every policy shift triggers an infrastructure overhaul. The smarter approach: design compliance into your data architecture from the start. Attribute-based policies let you adjust controls at the data level. When regulations change, you update policy parameters - not your entire stack. EY research shows the smartest companies design compliance into their technology, so they can respond to regulatory volatility with adjustments, not overhauls. Learn more: https://www.virtru.com #Virtru #datacentricsecurity #compliance #zerotrust #dataprotection #gdpr Source: https://lnkd.in/en5c3pEV

Cybersecurity: Fighting the AI Problem As generative AI reshapes industries, it’s also reshaping risk. A new report shows 72% of S&P 500 companies now disclose AI-related cyber risks — a sixfold increase since 2023. From phishing attacks powered by realistic AI-generated content to third-party vulnerabilities and compliance blind spots, the battle is escalating on both sides of the firewall. AI is now both the threat and the defense. The question isn’t whether companies can stop AI-driven attacks — it’s whether they can evolve as fast as the technology itself. Full story: 👉 https://lnkd.in/gHZ4CddN #CyberSecurity #AI #GenerativeAI #Infosec #ThreatIntelligence #CloudSecurity #Automation #DigitalTransformation #CISO #DataProtection #CyberResilience #ArtificialIntelligence #AIinCybersecurity #CyberRisk #TechnologyLeadership #Innovation

AI assistants with database access are exfiltrating SSNs, credit cards, and medical records without triggering any alerts. 🚨 The Shadow Escape attack proves it: AI agents with legitimate system access can be weaponized through innocent-looking files. No firewall violations. No suspicious network traffic. Just autonomous data collection masked as routine performance tracking. The problem? Traditional security assumes the threat is external. But when the AI assistant is already inside your perimeter with approved database credentials, perimeter defenses are irrelevant. We believe the solution isn't restricting AI capabilities. It's data-centric security - persistent encryption and granular access control at the object level. Even if an AI agent is compromised, encrypted data remains protected. Access attempts get logged. Permissions can be revoked in real time. The data protects itself. The Shadow Escape research showed exfiltration of SSNs, credit card CVVs, medical records, banking data, and compensation information - all while operating within trusted system boundaries. Learn more: https://www.virtru.com #Virtru #datasecurity #zerotrust #compliance #infosec #dataprotection Source: https://lnkd.in/eM5uMFtY

Your AI agent has more network access than most employees. It never takes breaks. Never gets tired. Never questions suspicious requests. That's the problem. Agentic AI systems are changing the security game in 2025. These autonomous agents can complete tasks end-to-end. They access sensitive data. They move across enterprise networks. The risk is real. In August 2025, attackers weaponized Claude Code agents to breach 17 organizations. Healthcare, government, emergency services - all hit. Ransom demands reached half a million dollars. McKinsey reports 80% of organizations have already seen risky AI behaviors: • Improper data exposure • Unauthorized access attempts • Cross-agent task escalation • Untraceable data leakage Zero Trust offers a solution. Each AI agent gets a unique identity. Every access gets verified continuously. No exceptions. Key steps to secure your AI agents: 🔐 Inventory all AI systems 🔐 Enforce least-privilege policies 🔐 Implement continuous monitoring 🔐 Use short-lived tokens 🔐 Segment tool execution in private networks Traditional security models fall short here. AI agents need identity-centric controls embedded in their workflows. The paradox? AI also strengthens Zero Trust. Real-time threat detection gets better. Automated responses get faster. But the threat landscape is evolving quickly. AI-powered cyber weapons paired with quantum capabilities could outpace current defenses. The bottom line: As AI becomes more autonomous, our security must become more intelligent. How is your organization preparing for agentic AI security challenges? #ZeroTrust #AISecuracy #CyberSecurity 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲꞉ https://lnkd.in/gSyBXkbY

🔐 When AI Becomes the Hacker’s New Weapon — Are Your Firm’s Defenses Ready? As artificial intelligence evolves, so do cybercriminals. What used to be phishing emails are now AI-generated attacks that mimic real clients, invoices, and even your firm’s communication tone. One wrong click — and your client’s confidential data is gone. CPAs can’t afford to treat cybersecurity as an IT issue anymore. It’s a business survival issue. Here’s how to stay ahead: ✅ Adopt zero-trust policies: Always verify access, even from trusted sources. ✅ Encrypt client data: Whether stored or shared, encryption is non-negotiable. ✅ Train your team: Human error is still the weakest link — invest in cybersecurity awareness. ✅ Use AI for good: Leverage intelligent threat detection to spot unusual patterns early. ✅ Regular audits: Test your defenses just like you audit financial statements. In 2025, trust isn’t just about numbers — it’s about data integrity. Firms that secure client information will win the future. #CyberSecurity #AccountingFirms #CPAs #DataProtection #AI #Fintech #KenyaAccounting #DigitalTransformation #RiskManagement #FutureOfAccounting