Gartner Summit Highlights Blind Spot: Attackers Hijack AI Agents via Legacy Infrastructure

During the Gartner Security & Risk Management Summit, I spoke about a blind spot that many security programs overlook: attackers circumventing AI security tools by leveraging legacy infrastructure to hijack AI agents. The rapid adoption of AI has outpaced the development of corresponding security controls, leaving a gap in protection. Roughly 71% of organizations are currently piloting AI agents across their operations. Attackers exploit this gap by using older systems that are not covered by AI security programs. The legacy infrastructure can act as a conduit for malicious commands to AI agents. This strategy allows attackers to bypass AI‑based detection and response mechanisms. The presentation highlighted the need for comprehensive coverage that includes legacy components. Security teams must reassess their AI security posture to address this blind spot.

Legacy infrastructure can be used to hijack AI agents, creating a new attack vector that is difficult to detect. The trend underscores the importance of integrating legacy systems into AI security frameworks. Organizations should map all legacy components that interact with AI agents. By identifying these components, security teams can apply additional safeguards. The Gartner Summit emphasized that AI adoption must be accompanied by robust security controls. Failure to address this blind spot could result in undetected compromise. Security professionals should conduct a thorough audit of legacy infrastructure. Proactive measures are essential to mitigate the risk posed by AI hijacking.