Executive Cybersecurity Concerns
Business leaders have expressed significant concerns regarding cybersecurity, particularly concerning artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing.
AI Agent Security
Raj Sharma, EY's global managing partner of growth and innovation, identified AI security as an area with insufficient discussion, specifically the management and lifecycle of AI agents. Sharma stated that AI agents access data without associated identity, unlike human access which is often tracked. He advocated for developing "industrial-level security for AI agents," noting the current lack of maturity in this area.
Impact on AI Adoption
Tim Walsh, CEO of KPMG US, also reported that cyber risk, particularly related to AI, is a frequent topic among CEOs. This has influenced companies' AI deployment plans, leading some to pause and ensure secure environments, potentially by retaining data on-premise for longer periods to enhance data security.
Quantum Computing Threat
Walsh additionally highlighted quantum computing as a "real concern" from a security perspective. He acknowledged the technology is still some years from full development but stressed its potential to compromise all existing encryption. This future threat is prompting companies to evaluate their systems and undertake re-encryption efforts.