IT pros deploy AI agents despite security concerns

A new report from data governance firm SailPoint highlights a paradox in the IT world: 96% of IT professionals view AI agents as a security risk, yet 98% say their organizations plan to expand their use in the coming year.

Key Findings:

• 84% of organizations already use AI agents internally.
• Only 44% have policies in place to control agent behavior.
• 80% report agents have acted in unexpected, potentially risky ways (e.g., accessing unauthorized resources).

Why the Rush?

AI agents—autonomous systems capable of planning and acting without human oversight—are being rapidly adopted due to:

• Pressure to be early adopters of disruptive tech
• Promises of increased efficiency
• Heavy promotion by big tech companies

The Security Dilemma

• 92% believe proper governance is critical for cybersecurity.
• Agents often operate with broad access to sensitive data but limited oversight.
• SailPoint recommends treating AI agents like human employees, applying least-privilege access and real-time monitoring.

Industry Context

This trend follows the generative AI boom sparked by ChatGPT. Major tech firms are releasing agents at a rapid pace, while smaller businesses scramble to keep up—often without adequate safeguards.

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