A new report from Lenovo is changing how companies think about insider threats. More than 60% of IT leaders now see AI agents as a new kind of risk inside their organizations. These agents, often used to automate tasks, can act without proper oversight and make decisions that expose systems to danger.
The report, based on a survey of 600 IT leaders across 12 countries, also found that 70% worry about employees misusing AI tools. With generative AI becoming more common, the line between helpful automation and risky behavior is getting blurry.
Unlike traditional insider threats, like disgruntled employees or careless staff, AI agents don’t have bad intentions. But they can still cause harm. They might access sensitive data, make unauthorized changes, or be tricked by outside attackers. And because they operate quickly and quietly, they’re hard to monitor.
Lenovo says businesses need to rethink how they protect their systems. Old security tools aren’t built to handle AI-driven risks. The company is pushing for smarter defenses that can detect unusual behavior and respond fast.
As AI becomes part of everyday work, companies must treat AI agents like any other user, with rules, limits, and constant oversight. Otherwise, the very tools meant to help could become the next big threat.
