As advanced AI capabilities emerge, particularly agentic AI systems that can operate and make decisions more autonomously, the integration of network security becomes absolutely critical. Simply layering security solutions on top of existing infrastructure is insufficient. Protecting these sophisticated AI systems, their data, and the infrastructure they rely on demands a fundamental shift towards security that is deeply embedded within the network itself.
Agentic AI expands the attack surface significantly. These systems process vast amounts of data, interact with numerous services, and may even initiate actions based on their analysis. Without robust, integrated security at the network level, attackers have more vectors to exploit, potentially leading to data breaches, manipulation of AI models, denial-of-service attacks, or unauthorized access to sensitive systems. The network is where much of this interaction happens, making it the ideal point for visibility, control, and defense.
A truly integrated network security approach provides a unified view of activity, enabling faster detection of anomalies that might signal a threat targeting or originating from an AI system. It allows for the enforcement of consistent security policies across the entire environment where AI operates. This includes segmenting AI workloads, monitoring their communication patterns, and applying granular access controls.
Leveraging the network for security also facilitates a more proactive defense posture. Threat intelligence can be applied directly at network enforcement points, preventing malicious traffic from ever reaching AI components. Furthermore, automated response capabilities, often powered by AI themselves, can be triggered by network-based threat detection, containing incidents swiftly before significant damage occurs.
Ultimately, securing the future of agentic AI relies heavily on building security into the foundation – the network. This integrated strategy is essential not just for preventing attacks, but for ensuring the reliability, integrity, and trustworthiness of AI systems as they become more prevalent and powerful. Providers are increasingly focused on delivering solutions that converge networking and security to meet this urgent need.
Source: https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2025/06/27/cisco_punts_networksecurity_integration/
