the role of security-focused AI agents: capabilities, advantages, and applications
As cyber threats grow in scale, speed, and sophistication, traditional alert-driven security models are struggling to keep pace. Security-focused AI agents are emerging as a critical evolution in cyber defence, enabling organisations to move from reactive response to proactive, decision-oriented security operations. This article explores the role of AI agents for cybersecurity, examining their core capabilities, advantages, and real-world use cases, from agentic AI for threat hunting to autonomous SOC operations and risk-based remediation. It also addresses how these agents integrate with existing security stacks, the governance and readiness considerations leaders must evaluate, and the measurable business impact of adoption. For organisations navigating complex, regulated environments, the article provides a pragmatic framework for adopting autonomous security capabilities with control, accountability, and resilience.
