February 24, 2026
in
Cyber Security ,
Ai
News by Apex Computing
As we continue with 2026, artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a tool for automation or data analysis - it's becoming autonomous, capable of making decisions, taking staged actions, and operating across systems without human intervention. These capabilities are being integrated into business tools and platforms at bottleneck speed, and while there's huge potential upside, the cyber security implications are significant and demand the attention of business leaders.
Agentic AI - AI that plans, executes, and adapts to complete tasks independently - is expected to be widely deployed in 2026. This type of system could help streamline operations, improve efficiency, and unlock new ways of working. But as autonomy grows, so does the cyber risk surface your organisation must defend.
What Agentic AI is - and Why it Matters to Your Business
Unlike traditional software or basic AI tools, agentic AI doesn't just respond - it acts. It can be given a goal and left to determine how best to achieve it. That might sound like a powerful way to automate work, but it also means systems could:
- Access multiple applications and data sources
- Make changes without human review
- And connect to core business systems in ways traditional tools never did
Because Agentic AI operates across environments with increasing independence, it becomes a new type of digital identity with the power to impact operations, data, and security controls - just like a human employee would.
New AI Cyber Security Risks on the Horizon in 2026
1. A Larger, More Complex Attack Surface
As agentic AI systems are embedded into our routine processes - from customer service automation to internal workflows - they expand your organisation's digital footprint. This breadth gives attackers more targets to exploit, particularly if these systems are granted broad permissions by default.
2. The Model Itself Becomes an Entry Point
When generative AI systems are tightly integrated with systems your business relies on, attackers can look beyond traditional infrastructure and target the AI model itself. Techniques such as prompt injection (where hidden instructions manipulate AI behaviour) and data poisoning (corrupting the system's training data) could be used to change how the AI behaves - potentially without traditional detection.
3. Excessive Privileges = Greater Damage if Compromised
If agentic AI tools are given high levels of privilege - for example, the ability to update records, initiate transactions, or access sensitive systems - a compromise could result in far more severe outcomes than typical malware or phishing attacks.
4. Cyber Criminals Using AI to Automate Attacks
It's not just legitimate businesses using AI autonomously. Cyber criminals are already experimenting with AI that can run complete attacks without human intervention, from automating phishing campaigns to exploiting vulnerabilities at scale. This shift means attacks could become more frequent, faster, and harder to stop.
What This Means for Business Leaders
For CEOs, CTOs, and Board Members, the message is clear: AI autonomy changes the cyber security risk landscape and elevates it from a technical detail to a strategic business concern.
Here's what to prioritise:
Treat AI as a cyber risk vector, not just a productivity tool
Agentic AI transition changes the threat model. Security teams must understand how these systems interact with data and systems and build protections accordingly - not assume existing controls are sufficient.
Demand strong governance and security by design
When deploying agentic AI systems, institute policies that enforces:
- Minimum necessary privileges
- Rigorous access controls
- Continuous monitoring and oversight
Security can't be an afterthought.
Reassess your identity and access strategy
AI agents may require machine identities, API credentials, or system integrations. These "non-human identities" must be governed with the same rigour you apply to human users - or better.
Build continuous validation into AI workflows
Static, one-time checks aren't enough. Continuous assessment, model integrity monitoring, and scenario testing should be core ports of your cyber strategy as agentic systems evolve.
Balancing Opportunity and Risk
Agentic AI isn't just a threat - it also offers new ways to strengthen security. Some organisations are already exploring AI-driven defensive systems that can react faster to attacks, analyse threats in real time, and automate routine security tasks.
But they key is governance: you must control how AI acts on your systems, not just hope it behaves well.
Final Takeaways for 2026 Planning
Agentic AI will influence how organisations operate in 2026 - and it will influence how they get attacked. For senior decision-makers, this means:
- Cyber risk planning can no longer ignore AI autonomy
- Board-level cyber governance must include AI risk
- Security by design must be extended to every AI integration
At Apex Computing, we help businesses understand the emerging risks and build defensive strategies that work - from identity governance and access controls to monitoring frameworks that adapt to new threat vectors.
If you're evaluating AI tools or planning digital transformation in 2026, let's ensure your cyber strategy keeps pace with the technology transforming the way you work.
