Agentic AI and Cyber Risk: What businesses need to know

Key Takeaways

Artificial intelligence is moving quickly.

What started as tools that help us write emails, analyse data and automate everyday tasks is evolving into something much more capable. The next generation of AI doesn’t just respond to instructions – it can plan, make decisions and carry out tasks with minimal human input.

This is known as agentic AI.

For businesses, it has the potential to improve efficiency, increase productivity and free up valuable time. But, as with any new technology, it also creates new risks. And one growing concern is the impact agentic AI could have on cyber-security.

What is Agentic AI?

Most AI tools today rely on human prompts. You ask a question, provide instructions or request a piece of work, and the tool responds.

Agentic AI takes this a step further. These systems can work more independently, breaking down objectives into individual tasks, making decisions and adapting based on results.

In the right hands, that could help organisations streamline processes and improve productivity. In the wrong hands, however, the same technology could be used to make cyber-attacks faster, more targeted and more difficult to detect.

Why Does Agentic AI Matter for Cyber Security?

Cyber-crime is already one of the biggest risks facing organisations today.

Whether it’s customer data, financial information, intellectual property or simply the ability to trade, most businesses rely heavily on technology. That means there is usually something valuable for cyber-criminals to target.

Agentic AI could make this challenge even greater by helping attackers automate tasks that would previously have required significant time and effort.

This may include identifying vulnerabilities, testing weaknesses, moving through networks or creating highly convincing phishing emails tailored to specific employees or organisations. As these processes become more automated, organisations may have less time to identify and respond to suspicious activity.

The result? Faster attacks, greater disruption and potentially higher costs when incidents occur.

How Could Agentic AI Be Used in Cyber Attacks?

One of the biggest concerns is the ability to scale attacks.

Traditionally, cyber-criminals often relied on sending large volumes of generic phishing emails and hoping someone clicked. Agentic AI can help create far more personalised messages by drawing on publicly available information from websites, social media and other online sources.

This can make fraudulent emails appear more realistic and more difficult to identify.

Agentic AI could also help attackers move more efficiently once they gain access to a system. Rather than manually exploring a network, AI-powered tools may be able to identify valuable information and potential weaknesses much more quickly.

According to CrowdStrike’s 2026 Global Threat Report, the average time between an attacker’s initial access and movement across a network fell to just 29 minutes in 2025, with the fastest observed time taking only 27 seconds.

While these threats continue to evolve, the overall trend is clear: cyber-attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and businesses need to ensure their defences keep pace.

Three Practical Steps Businesses Can Take

The good news is that businesses don’t need to overhaul everything overnight. Many of the most effective cyber-security measures are still built around good fundamentals.

Review Access and Permissions

Not every employee, supplier or system needs access to everything.

Regularly reviewing permissions helps reduce the likelihood of sensitive information being exposed if an account or system is compromised. This is becoming increasingly important as organisations introduce more digital tools and AI-powered software into their operations.

Invest in Employee Awareness

Technology plays a vital role in cyber-security, but people remain one of the strongest lines of defence.

Many cyber incidents still begin with a simple mistake, such as clicking a suspicious link or sharing information with someone who appears legitimate.

Regular training can help employees identify potential threats and feel confident questioning anything that doesn’t seem right.

Strengthen Cyber Resilience

Businesses should ensure they have appropriate security measures in place, including multi-factor authentication, secure backups and clear incident response plans.

It’s not just about preventing attacks. It’s about being prepared to respond quickly and recover effectively if something does happen.

Where Does Cyber Insurance Fit In?

No security system can eliminate risk entirely.

That’s why many businesses choose to complement their cyber-security measures with cyber insurance.

Cyber insurance can provide valuable support if the worst happens, helping organisations respond to incidents and recover from the financial impact. Depending on the policy, this may include access to specialist cyber response teams, forensic investigations, legal support, business interruption cover and assistance following a data breach.

As cyber threats continue to evolve, it’s important to make sure your insurance arrangements evolve too.

Businesses using AI-powered tools should consider how these technologies fit into their overall risk profile and whether their existing cover remains appropriate for their needs.

The Bottom Line

Agentic AI has the potential to transform the way businesses operate, improving efficiency and unlocking new opportunities.

However, it may also increase the speed and sophistication of cyber-attacks.

That doesn’t mean organisations should fear the technology. It simply means they need to approach it with the right level of awareness and preparation.

By combining strong cyber-security practices, informed employees and appropriate cyber insurance, businesses can put themselves in a much stronger position to manage emerging risks.

What is agentic AI?

Agentic AI is a form of artificial intelligence that can plan, make decisions and carry out tasks with minimal human input. Unlike traditional AI systems that rely on prompts and instructions, agentic AI can work towards an objective by breaking it down into tasks and adapting its approach based on results.

How could agentic AI increase cyber-security risks?

Agentic AI could help cyber-criminals automate activities such as identifying vulnerabilities, creating convincing phishing emails and moving through networks after gaining access. This may enable attacks to happen more quickly and at a greater scale than traditional methods.

Can agentic AI be used for phishing attacks?

Yes. Agentic AI can analyse publicly available information from websites, social media and other online sources to create highly personalised phishing emails. These messages may appear more legitimate, making them harder for employees to identify and report.

Is agentic AI a risk for small businesses?

How can businesses protect themselves against AI-powered cyber threats?

The fundamentals remain important. Businesses should regularly review access permissions, invest in employee cyber-awareness training, implement strong security controls such as multi-factor authentication and maintain clear incident response and recovery plans.

Does cyber insurance cover AI-related cyber attacks?

Cyber and Cyber-crime insurance may help organisations respond to a range of cyber incidents, including those involving ransomware, phishing attacks, data breaches and business interruption. Cover varies between insurers and policies, so businesses should review their arrangements to ensure they remain appropriate for their needs.

Should businesses stop using AI because of cyber-security concerns?

Not necessarily. AI can deliver significant benefits when used appropriately. The key is understanding the risks, implementing suitable controls and ensuring cyber-security measures evolve alongside the technology.