Agentic AI in Cybersecurity: A Primer Guide for Cybersecurity Architects

This IDC Perspective on agentic AI in cybersecurity explores the evolution of AI in cybersecurity, emphasizing the role of agentic AI, which enables systems to exhibit agency through perception, reasoning, and action. The document outlines the progression from manual operations to dynamic autonomy, highlighting the importance of simplicity, security platforms, and standard IT architecture in achieving autonomy. It also discusses the integration of trustworthy AI elements, such as explainability and fairness, to ensure safe and ethical AI deployment in cybersecurity."Agentic AI platforms begin to iterate and adjust to changes in the security environment as reasoning engines become increasingly sophisticated and the compensating measures for probabilistic decision-making improve. AI agents handle most menial and repetitive SOC processes, from detection and investigation to response and remediation, with minimal human intervention, further reducing MTTI and MTTR. A feedback loop enables AI agents to create new detections and responses based on previously seen threats. Humans play a strategic role, overseeing the platform's adaptation to emerging threats and adjusting to changes in the IT architecture while maintaining resilience. A smart way to think of this is putting the 'human on the loop' as opposed to putting the 'human in the loop'." — Frank Dickson, group vice president, Security and Trust, IDC