Emerging Insider Threats: AI’s Role in Cybersecurity Risks

Understanding the Rise of Insider Threats

A recent study titled “From Human to Hybrid: How AI and the Analytics Gap are Fueling Insider Risk” conducted by Exabeam has highlighted a significant trend in organizational security. An astonishing 93% of companies globally have either faced or expect an increase in insider threats driven by artificial intelligence (AI). Notably, 64% of respondents expressed greater concern regarding insider threats than external threats. As AI systems increasingly handle critical tasks like accessing sensitive information and making autonomous decisions, they give rise to new types of insider risks—particularly digital agents that operate outside the boundaries of traditional oversight.

The Challenge with Traditional Security Solutions

Traditional security measures, such as Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) and Extended Detection and Response (XDR) solutions, often fall short in adapting to the evolving landscape. These systems typically struggle to establish baseline behaviors and learn from them, leaving them unable to effectively identify when an AI agent behaves unexpectedly. This has heightened the complexity of managing insider threats, which have historically been categorized as malicious, negligent, or compromised. The introduction of AI agents expands this risk profile to include malfunctioning, misaligned, or even deliberately corrupted behaviors.

Exabeam’s Innovative Approach to Behavioral Analytics

Exabeam, known for its advancements in machine learning and behavioral analytics, is aiming to bridge this critical security gap. By enhancing its capabilities to monitor both human and AI-driven activities, Exabeam integrates telemetry from platforms like Google Agentspace and Google Cloud’s Model Armor into its New-Scale Platform. This integration not only strengthens their existing behavioral analytics framework but also sets a new benchmark for modern security solutions.

Insights from Leadership

Steve Wilson, Exabeam’s Chief AI and Product Officer, emphasizes this transition in security needs: “This is a natural evolution of our leadership in insider threat detection and behavioral analytics.” He notes that security operations teams require more than just additional tools; they need profound insights into the behaviors of both people and AI systems, provided through a platform they trust. The goal is to grant security teams greater clarity and control to manage these emerging insider risks effectively.

The Role of Exabeam Nova

At the forefront of Exabeam’s innovative offerings is Exabeam Nova, designed to function as the intelligence layer that informs security teams about AI agent behavior. This new tool analyzes both intent and execution patterns of AI agents in real time, enabling analysts to go beyond superficial alerts. By understanding the context of agent actions—whether they pertain to legitimate automation processes or indicative of misuse—security teams can react more appropriately.

Addressing the Changing Security Landscape

Chris O’Malley, CEO of Exabeam, underscores the urgency of evolving security measures alongside advancements in AI: “AI agents are quickly changing how business gets done, and that means security must evolve at the same rate.” The introduction of behavioral analytics for AI agents represents a crucial advancement in insider threat detection. This enables security operators to gain the visibility and control necessary to uphold the integrity of their operations in an increasingly AI-centric environment.

The Importance of Partnerships

Vineet Bhan, Director of Security and Identity Partnerships at Google Cloud, highlights the necessity of collaboration in tackling these security challenges: “As businesses integrate AI into their core operations, they face a new set of security challenges.” Bhan emphasizes that the partnership with Exabeam is vital for providing advanced tools that help organizations protect their data while encouraging innovation and maintaining control in an AI-driven landscape.

Unified Visibility for Enhanced Security

Exabeam aims to empower security teams by offering a unified view of both human and AI-driven activities. This approach equips organizations to detect, assess, and respond to insider threats in their various manifestations. By advancing their capabilities, Exabeam sets a new standard for enterprise security, allowing businesses to integrate AI confidently while retaining control, trust, and operational integrity.