As we move deeper into the digital age, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in cybersecurity has become more pronounced, presenting both opportunities and challenges. Agentic AI, defined as autonomous systems capable of reasoning, planning, and using tools independently, is poised to significantly impact the landscape of cybersecurity. The potential applications of agentic AI extend beyond current generative AI capabilities, promising a future where both security threats and defenses could be transformed in profound ways. In the 2025 State of Malware report by Malwarebytes, it is highlighted that generative AI, although influential, merely enhances the efficiency of cyberattacks rather than revolutionizing the techniques. However, the advent of agentic AI could herald a new era of cybercrime, enabling sophisticated, large-scale attacks and more resilient defensive mechanisms.
The Potential Threats of Agentic AI
The role of agentic AI as a potential catalyst for future cybersecurity threats cannot be overstated. One of the critical concerns is the ability of agentic AI to enable cybercriminals, particularly ransomware gangs, to conduct large-scale, simultaneous attacks. These AI systems could strategize more effectively than human counterparts, autonomously identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities within networks and systems. The 2025 State of Malware report underscores the imminent danger, suggesting that AI agents could autonomously execute attacks without human intervention, conduct thorough reconnaissance, and deploy sophisticated malvertising campaigns on a scale previously unattainable.
In addition to executing attacks autonomously, agentic AI could significantly enhance the sophistication of cybercriminal activities. For instance, AI-powered malware could adapt and evolve in real-time, making it increasingly difficult for traditional cybersecurity measures to keep pace. The ability of AI to learn and improve its tactics means that it can bypass existing security protocols more efficiently, posing an unprecedented challenge to security professionals. As cybercriminals develop and refine these AI-driven tools, the scale and complexity of attacks are expected to increase, potentially leading to more severe data breaches and system compromises. The prospect of AI systems executing end-to-end attacks independently, although still several years away, necessitates a proactive approach to cybersecurity defenses.
Defensive Potential of Agentic AI
While the threat of agentic AI is palpable, it also holds significant defensive potential. In the face of evolving cyber threats, the cybersecurity industry is urged to leverage AI to bridge the existing skills gap and enhance defensive capabilities. Agentic AI can undertake tasks that currently burden human security teams, such as monitoring systems for vulnerabilities, maintaining inventories of internet-facing systems, ensuring timely patching, and autonomously responding to suspicious activities. By automating these labor-intensive processes, AI can free up human resources to focus on more complex and strategic aspects of cybersecurity.
Real-world examples of AI’s defensive potential are already emerging. In 2024, ReliaQuest launched an autonomous AI security agent, exemplifying AI’s ability to process security alerts with enhanced efficiency and accuracy. This AI agent can swiftly sift through vast amounts of data, identifying potential threats and responding to them in real-time. The deployment of such autonomous systems highlights the potential for AI to significantly enhance cybersecurity defenses, reducing the response time to threats and minimizing the impact of potential breaches. As AI technology continues to evolve, its integration into cybersecurity strategies is likely to become more sophisticated and widespread, offering a robust defense against AI-driven threats.
The Evolution Path Ahead
Experts within the cybersecurity industry suggest that the use of AI in cybercrime is still in its experimental stage, with significant advancements anticipated in the near future. While current implementations of AI have led to efficiency gains, the deployment of truly autonomous malicious AI agents is still in its infancy, requiring further refinement and reliability testing. The industry must remain vigilant, anticipating the shift towards more advanced AI-driven threats and adapting its threat detection strategies accordingly. Future AI agents might autonomously handle various components of cyberattacks, from data gathering to executing data exfiltration without human oversight.
This evolution will necessitate a transformation in how attacks are detected and mitigated. Traditional methods focusing on human signatures will need to be complemented by techniques designed to identify sophisticated AI-driven anomalies. As malicious AI systems become more adept, they could mimic legitimate user behavior, making it harder to distinguish between genuine actions and cyber threats. The development of advanced AI-driven detection tools will be crucial in countering these sophisticated threats, ensuring that cybersecurity measures remain one step ahead of potential attackers. This dual-edged future underscores the necessity for a proactive approach, continuously evolving to meet emerging challenges.
Preparing for an AI-Driven Cybersecurity Future
While the threat of agentic AI is real, it also offers significant defensive potential. With the rise of sophisticated cyber threats, the cybersecurity sector is encouraged to use AI to close the skills gap and boost defensive capabilities. Agentic AI can handle tasks that currently overwhelm human security teams, such as monitoring for vulnerabilities, maintaining inventories of internet-facing systems, ensuring timely patching, and autonomously responding to suspicious activities. Automating these labor-intensive tasks allows human resources to concentrate on more complex and strategic cybersecurity aspects.
Examples of AI’s defensive potential are already surfacing. In 2024, ReliaQuest unveiled an autonomous AI security agent, showcasing AI’s ability to process security alerts more efficiently and accurately. This AI agent can quickly sift through vast data, identify potential threats, and respond in real-time. The deployment of these autonomous systems highlights AI’s potential to significantly enhance cybersecurity defenses, reducing response times to threats and minimizing the impact of breaches. As AI technology continues to advance, its integration into cybersecurity strategies will likely become more sophisticated and widespread, providing a robust defense against AI-driven threats.
