Understanding AI Agents: Definition and Security Implications
An AI agent is defined as a software context that independently selects actions to achieve a goal, unlike traditional workflows, which follow a predetermined sequence. AI agents operate with non-deterministic planning, discovering their action plans in real-time based on intent and available tools. This presents a unique security challenge: static permission designs become irrelevant since agents dynamically determine their actions. As a result, managing permissions at runtime becomes critical to minimize the attack surface.
To enhance security, the AI Identity Gateway uses ephemeral, task-scoped tokens that limit access to only the necessary resources during a specific operation. This approach ensures agents operate with least-privilege access. Additionally, federating chat clients or workflows with the gateway establishes an agent registry, offering centralized governance and monitoring, which aids in identifying unauthorized access, thereby reinforcing security in AI operations.
