5 Ways to Overcome the Trust Deficit in AI
Today, artificial intelligence can do more than just generate text—it can act as your independent assistant. These systems—also known as agentic AI—open up fantastic opportunities for companies. They can make decisions on their own, perform routine tasks, and streamline business processes.
However, there’s one big “but.” Companies are trying to keep up with the rapid pace of technological development and often face a major barrier: a lack of trust. If your customers or employees have doubts about the security and privacy of AI, they simply won’t use it to its full potential.
“The ability to delegate tasks to a system you trust, as opposed to delegating without trust, is exactly what will determine whether you become a market leader or go out of business,” emphasizes Jeetu Patel, president and chief product officer at Cisco.
So how do you build this trust into the very foundation of AI? How do you reassure your team and customers that your intelligent systems are secure, and protect yourself from hackers who are also using AI in their attacks?
Here are 5 steps to building robust security in the age of artificial intelligence:
1. Start with basic security hygiene
Cybercriminals love easy targets. So, before building complex systems, make sure your “doors are locked.” This means:
● Using robust, phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication (MFA).
● Strict identity verification for all users.
● Granting only the minimum necessary access rights (including for the AI agents themselves).
● Transitioning to a Zero Trust architecture (where the system trusts no one by default). Keeping systems up to date and understanding exactly what assets are on your network are the absolute bare minimum today.
2. Get rid of outdated infrastructure
In today’s threat landscape, structural vulnerabilities are simply unacceptable. Any hardware or software that is no longer supported by the developer (has reached end-of-life status) and no longer receives security patches must be replaced immediately. Modern platforms must have built-in protections against exploits and be flexible enough to adapt to tomorrow’s threats.
3. Delegate security to automation
The human brain is physically incapable of comprehending the scale and speed of modern cyberattacks. Threats have become too sophisticated and fast, so security must operate at “machine speed.” Invest in automation: systems that instantly detect anomalies, automatically isolate threats, and continuously monitor who is using your data and how.
4. Build security in, don’t just “add” it
Analyzing an attack after it has already happened is a dead end. Security measures must be woven directly into your workflows, devices, and network traffic. This allows you to maintain control in real time. For example, use systems that can block new threats right as applications are running, without waiting for a major update.
5. Use AI Against AI
The best defense against hackers armed with artificial intelligence is your own AI. Cybersecurity teams can use it to proactively hunt for threats, create digital twins to test systems, and check for vulnerabilities. And if you make AI a virtual member of your security team, processes that used to take months can be completed in a matter of days.
What’s the bottom line?
As Jitu Patel notes, agent-based AI has the potential to revolutionize productivity and innovation. Projects that were put on hold for years due to a lack of manpower are now becoming a reality. The key is to make AI’s operations secure enough to be trusted without reservation. Trust isn’t an option you can add as an afterthought. It must be built from day one.
Today’s market offers powerful solutions, including Cisco’s comprehensive portfolio of platforms that address all AI-based security challenges. With the right tools, any organization can confidently become part of the AI revolution.
