A recent survey by Rubrik Zero Labs reveals that a staggering 86% of organizations anticipate that AI agents will exceed their security measures within the next year. This expectation underscores the potential risks associated with deploying these systems, which, while offering operational efficiencies, appear to necessitate greater manual oversight than many stakeholders anticipated. Over 80% of participants expressed concerns about the effectiveness of AI agents in maintaining secure environments.
The findings highlight a troubling trend, with nearly half of respondents forecasting that agentic systems will become the primary instigators of cyberattacks over the next twelve months. Despite the increasing integration of AI technologies into operational frameworks, just 23% of organizations report having comprehensive visibility into the AI agents functioning within their infrastructures. This lack of oversight is further exacerbated by a significant shortfall in identity governance, as enterprises adopt autonomous systems that they struggle to monitor or manage effectively.
The proliferation of non-human identities linked to AI agents is accelerating at a rate that surpasses organizations’ capacity for tracking and governance, leading to what the report terms a “shadow workforce.” Alarmingly, 88% of those surveyed indicated they lack the ability to revert actions taken by AI agents without risking disruptions to their systems. This critical gap in control raises significant concerns among leaders, with nearly 90% expressing doubts about their capacity to meet recovery objectives as threats from these autonomous systems escalate.
The survey, which combines data from global respondents with an analysis of emerging attack vectors in AI systems, serves as a wake-up call for organizations leveraging AI for operational benefits. Rubrik, a leader in data protection and cyber resilience, aims to illuminate the challenges and risks that accompany the swift adoption of AI technologies.
Kavitha Mariappan, Chief Transformation Officer at Rubrik, emphasized the urgency of the situation: “We have to move past the debate of whether AI is risky and address the harder reality: as decision-making shifts from human to machine, the critical challenge for every leader is maintaining operational safety in an increasingly autonomous landscape.” Mariappan pointed out that the pace of AI adoption is outstripping organizations’ abilities to manage it adequately. “Enterprises are struggling because they’ve deployed systems they can’t fully observe, govern, or restore,” she added.
Steven Ramirez, VP, Chief Information Security & Technology Officer at Renown Health, highlighted the essential role of identity verification in managing AI systems. “Identity verification is the fundamental underpinning that will allow us to get the greatest automation benefits of AI without imposing human bottlenecks. Verification and visibility are prerequisites for sound, secure agentic implementation,” he noted.
The report paints a picture of a rapidly evolving technological landscape where the risks associated with AI are becoming increasingly pronounced. As organizations race to integrate these systems into their workflows, the need for robust governance and oversight mechanisms has never been more critical. With the potential for AI agents to drive a significant increase in cyber threats, industry leaders are called to prioritize strategies that enhance visibility, control, and recovery capabilities.
As businesses navigate this complex terrain, the imperative to balance innovation with security will shape the future of AI deployment. The findings from Rubrik Zero Labs serve as a clarion call for organizations to reassess their AI strategies and prioritize comprehensive governance structures. Failure to do so may not only expose them to unprecedented risks but also undermine the very efficiencies that AI technologies promise to deliver.
See also
Cyberattack Hits Brockton Hospital, Revealing Structural Vulnerabilities in Healthcare Cybersecurity
UK Government Warns AI Cyberattacks Double Every Four Months, Urges Business Action
AI Project AgenticDeviceShield Launches to Combat Mobile Cyber Threats Directly on Devices
Palo Alto Networks Launches AI-Driven Cybersecurity Platform to Secure Browser Workflows
