How Third-Party Risk Is Transforming AI Security in the Era of Autonomous Agents

Third-party risk in artificial intelligence is poised to expand significantly as organizations increasingly adopt autonomous agents with unprecedented access to systems, data, and decision-making capabilities. Taylor Margot, partner at Lytical Ventures, compares this shift to discovering a new land mass in technology that requires entirely new defensive strategies. Traditional human-centric controls may no longer be effective, making permissioning, monitoring, and data control critical components of AI security. Small and midsize businesses will likely depend heavily on external vendors for agent development, which increases exposure to opaque and interconnected risks. Margot warns that without visibility into vendor systems, organizations cannot detect data misuse, model poisoning, or unauthorized decision-making. These risks are compounded as autonomous agents act without human intervention, potentially altering budgets, campaigns, or hiring processes independently.

"The driving power behind any modern AI system is its ability to formulate context," Margot said. Well-structured data orchestration reduces costs, enables effective auditing, and makes it possible to identify anomalies. Without it, organizations lack the baseline to detect or address security threats.

In a video interview with Information Security Media Group, Margot also discussed:

• Why AI firewalls may be a misdirected defensive investment;
• The cost and security benefits of strong data orchestration;
• Challenges in determining where AI defenses are truly needed.
Margot focuses on capital formation, deal sourcing, limited partner relations, portfolio advising, diligence, and board support. A former merger and acquisition attorney active in generative AI and entrepreneurship, he combines venture capital and M&A expertise.

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Source Attribution

Originally published at BankInfoSecurity on August 12, 2025.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

AI Security and Autonomous Agents

Q: What is the primary concern regarding third-party risk in AI security with autonomous agents? A: The main concern is that autonomous agents, with their extensive access to systems and data, increase an organization's exposure to risks originating from external vendors who develop these agents. Without visibility into vendor systems, detecting issues like data misuse or model poisoning becomes difficult. Q: Why might traditional human-centric controls be insufficient for AI security with autonomous agents? A: Autonomous agents operate without direct human intervention, meaning they can make decisions and take actions independently. This autonomous nature can outpace traditional controls that rely on human oversight and approval processes. Q: What are the critical components for securing AI systems with autonomous agents? A: Permissioning, monitoring, and data control are highlighted as critical components for securing AI systems that utilize autonomous agents. Q: How does data orchestration play a role in AI security? A: Well-structured data orchestration is crucial for reducing costs, enabling effective auditing, and identifying anomalies. Without proper data orchestration, organizations lack the necessary baseline to detect or address security threats.

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Crypto Market AI's Take

The increasing reliance on autonomous agents, as discussed in this article, directly impacts the cybersecurity landscape for all industries, including the rapidly evolving cryptocurrency sector. Ensuring the security of AI systems, particularly those developed by third parties, is paramount. Our platform, Crypto Market AI, is built with robust security measures and a focus on transparent operations. We understand the critical need for secure and reliable AI in finance, which is why our AI-powered trading tools and market analysis aim to provide actionable insights while adhering to strict security protocols. Exploring the intersection of AI and cybersecurity is crucial for navigating the future of decentralized finance and ensuring the integrity of digital assets.

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More to Read:

• AI Agents Are Broken: Can GPT-5 Fix Them?
• AI Agent Oversight: Critical to Secure, Scalable Autonomy
• AI-Driven Crypto Scams Surge 456%: Experts Warn No One Is Safe