This emerging security threat arises from the deployment of autonomous AI agents that operate with significant system privileges and perform complex tasks without human intervention. Unlike traditional threats such as phishing or malware, these AI agents execute instructions flawlessly—even when those instructions are erroneous or malicious—leading to potentially catastrophic outcomes. The core issue is identity security: AI agents and automated systems represent new, often ungoverned identities within enterprise environments. According to the 2025-2026 SailPoint Horizons of Identity Security report, fewer than 40% of AI agents are governed by identity security policies, creating a large attack surface. Traditional security models based on firewalls and endpoint protection are inadequate for these identity-driven threats. Mature identity and access management (IAM) programs, especially those incorporating AI-enabled identity threat detection and real-time data synchronization, significantly reduce risk and improve operational efficiency. However, 63% of organizations remain in early stages of identity security maturity, lacking strategic focus on IAM as a business enabler. This immaturity leaves enterprises vulnerable to sophisticated attacks exploiting AI agent identities. The threat landscape demands that organizations reassess and enhance their identity security posture to manage AI agent deployments securely. Failure to do so risks unauthorized access, data breaches, and operational disruptions caused by autonomous AI executing flawed or malicious logic with high privileges.

For European organizations, the impact of this threat is multifaceted and severe. The widespread adoption of AI-driven automation and autonomous agents in sectors such as finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and critical infrastructure increases the attack surface significantly. Unauthorized or erroneous actions by AI agents with elevated privileges can lead to data breaches, intellectual property theft, service outages, and regulatory non-compliance, especially under stringent European data protection laws like GDPR. The inability to govern AI identities effectively undermines trust in automated systems and can cause operational disruptions with cascading effects across supply chains and service delivery. Organizations with immature identity security programs face higher risks of exploitation, potentially resulting in financial losses, reputational damage, and legal penalties. Moreover, the strategic importance of AI in digital transformation initiatives means that compromised AI identities could be leveraged for espionage or sabotage by threat actors. The evolving threat landscape necessitates that European enterprises prioritize identity security to safeguard sensitive data and maintain business continuity.

European organizations should adopt a comprehensive, AI-aware identity security strategy that includes: 1) Implementing robust identity governance and administration (IGA) frameworks that specifically incorporate AI and non-human identities to ensure visibility and control over all privileged agents. 2) Deploying AI-enabled Identity Threat Detection and Response (ITDR) solutions to monitor, detect, and respond to anomalous behavior by autonomous agents in real time. 3) Enforcing strict least-privilege access policies and just-in-time access provisioning for AI agents to minimize exposure. 4) Integrating continuous identity data synchronization across systems to maintain up-to-date access rights and revoke permissions promptly when no longer needed. 5) Conducting regular identity security maturity assessments aligned with frameworks such as the SailPoint Horizons report to identify gaps and prioritize improvements. 6) Embedding identity security into AI lifecycle management, including secure development, deployment, and monitoring of AI agents. 7) Promoting organizational awareness and positioning IAM as a strategic business enabler to ensure adequate resource allocation and executive support. 8) Collaborating with regulators and industry groups to align identity security practices with evolving compliance requirements. These targeted actions go beyond generic advice by focusing on the unique challenges posed by autonomous AI agents and their identities.