The rapid rise of agentic AI is opening new possibilities for automation and productivity, but it may also be creating serious cybersecurity risks. In a recent analysis of how artificial intelligence could cause unprecedented damage in the coming years, experts warned that AI agents deployed inside corporate environments could become powerful tools in the hands of attackers. Instead of simply assisting employees, these systems might unintentionally give cybercriminals new pathways into sensitive networks.
Once AI agents are integrated into business infrastructure, they often receive broad access to internal applications and data. This level of access can make them highly valuable targets. If a threat actor manages to compromise an AI agent, they could potentially use it to move laterally across an organization’s IT systems. Such lateral movement allows attackers to jump from one system to another, gradually gaining deeper control and accessing confidential resources that would normally be protected.
Jonathan Wall, founder and CEO of Runloop, has highlighted how dangerous this scenario could become. He explains that even if an attacker initially gains control of an agent with limited permissions, that agent might still be able to connect with other AI systems that have greater privileges. Through this chain reaction, a malicious user could effectively escalate their access and reach highly sensitive information. In this way, poorly secured AI agents could unintentionally act as stepping stones for large-scale breaches.
The problem is made worse by the fact that agentic AI is still a relatively new technology. Many organizations are rushing to adopt it without fully understanding the security implications. Development platforms and deployment workflows often lack mature safeguards, creating vulnerabilities similar to those seen in the early days of software engineering. Without strict controls and careful planning, AI agents could quickly turn from helpful digital assistants into major security liabilities.