Microsoft: Treat AI agents as insider threats

Microsoft has urged organizations to treat AI agents as insider threats, according to a report by CSO Online. The warning highlights a growing security concern around software agents that can access internal business systems, data and workflows while acting on behalf of employees or organizations.

AI agents are AI-powered tools designed to perform tasks such as retrieving information, generating content, interacting with software and helping automate workflows. Unlike traditional applications with narrowly defined functions, agents may be given access to sensitive company resources in order to complete tasks, making access controls and oversight central security considerations.

An insider threat generally involves risk created by trusted access, whether through malicious activity, mistakes or compromised credentials. Applying that model to AI agents emphasizes the need for organizations to consider what systems an agent can reach, what data it can handle and how its actions are monitored. The issue is becoming more relevant as businesses deploy generative AI tools across internal operations.