This weekly update covers how AI agents – intelligent computer programs that can make decisions and take actions on their own – are creating new security challenges for businesses worldwide. The biggest concern is that AI-powered attacks are happening faster and smarter than ever before, with attackers using AI to automatically find weaknesses in computer systems and adapt when defenses try to stop them. At the same time, companies are finding hidden AI programs running inside their own computer networks without permission, which is called Shadow AI, creating major data privacy risks.

To fight back, security experts say organizations need AI-powered defense tools that work constantly to spot and stop these attacks automatically. The problem is that old security methods don't work anymore because they relied on recognizing known attack patterns, but AI-driven attacks change too quickly for humans to catch them manually. New government guidelines from NIST are helping companies understand how to safely use AI while protecting data, and experts stress that password theft and data leaks are becoming easier because AI can now help attackers scale their efforts much larger. Companies need strong data governance controls and must test AI systems thoroughly before using them with customers.