AI Agent Security and Identity Risks: Key Insights for Business Leaders

Read full article here: https://www.unosecur.com/blog/secure-connectivity-of-ai-agents-and-identity-threats-what-business-leaders-need-to-know/?source=nhimg

The rapid adoption of AI agents—autonomous, large language model–driven software entities—marks a new phase in digital transformation. These agents are increasingly embedded across business functions, from DevOps automation to customer service. Their ability to act on behalf of human users without constant oversight delivers significant efficiency gains, but also introduces a new category of identity-based risks that traditional security tools cannot adequately address.

Two core enablers, Anthropic’s Model Context Protocol (MCP) and Token Vaults, are reshaping how AI agents connect to enterprise systems:

• MCP provides a universal, context-aware standard for securely interfacing AI agents with external systems, replacing fragmented integrations with a single, standardized protocol.

• Token Vaults manage secure, short-lived access tokens in real time, allowing AI agents to perform authorized tasks without ever storing or handling raw credentials.

Together, these technologies create secure pathways for AI-driven operations, but they also expand the identity attack surface. Three primary risks emerge:

1. Privilege Accumulation (AI Privilege Creep) – Over time, AI agents can silently amass more permissions than necessary, increasing the potential damage if compromised.

2. Prompt Injection – Malicious inputs can manipulate AI agents into bypassing safeguards, leaking data, or triggering unintended actions without breaching technical defenses.

3. Token Theft – Insecure storage or transmission of tokens can allow attackers to impersonate AI agents, granting full access to connected systems.

Why It Matters for Business Leaders

AI agents operate with a blend of autonomy and delegated authority, making them both productivity multipliers and high-value security targets. Without proactive governance—covering identity lifecycle management, least-privilege enforcement, and real-time anomaly detection—organizations risk large-scale data exposure, operational disruption, and reputational harm.

Bottom Line

To safely harness the value of AI agents, executives must ensure their security programs evolve alongside MCP and Token Vault adoption, embedding AI-aware identity controls into every stage of design, deployment, and monitoring.