In a recent episode of the Collective54 Pro Serv Podcast, cybersecurity veteran and CISO of 5Q, Don Goldstein, delivered a compelling message to professional services leaders: Agentic AI is coming fast—and so are the risks.
As firms race to integrate autonomous AI agents into their operations, Goldstein urges caution. “If people are your biggest asset,” he warns, “AI may soon be your most powerful one—and also your most vulnerable.”
What Is Agentic AI?
Agentic AI refers to systems that can make decisions and take actions independently. These tools promise massive efficiency gains, but they also introduce new, poorly understood security vulnerabilities. Goldstein, who serves as a fractional CISO and CIO for clients in the commercial real estate sector, has seen firsthand how quickly these technologies are being adopted—and how unprepared many firms are to secure them.
The Hidden Threats
Goldstein outlines several key risks:
- Data leakage through AI agents interacting with sensitive systems.
- Unintended actions taken by autonomous agents without proper oversight.
- Compliance gaps as regulations struggle to keep pace with AI capabilities.
He emphasizes that these aren’t theoretical risks—they’re already surfacing in early deployments.
Guardrails for Safe Adoption
Rather than resisting AI, Goldstein advocates for proactive governance. His recommendations include:
- Establishing clear usage policies for AI tools.
- Implementing access controls and monitoring for AI interactions.
- Training teams on AI-specific security awareness.
He also stresses the importance of involving cybersecurity leaders early in the AI adoption process—not as gatekeepers, but as strategic partners.
Why This Matters
For boutique professional services firms, the shift from people-powered to AI-powered operations is transformative. But as Goldstein reminds us, transformation without protection is a recipe for disaster.
His message is clear: embrace the future, but secure it first.
.webp)
.svg)
