AI without security is a business liability

Title AI without security is a business liability with headshot of Bob Bailkoski Logicalis CEO

Global, May 27, 2026

by Logicalis Group CEO Bob Bailkoski

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming the defining technology of our time. Across every industry, organisations are experimenting, piloting and scaling AI to drive productivity, accelerate insights and unlock new value. But there is a growing risk that cannot be ignored: deploying AI without the right security foundations turns innovation into exposure. 

The Logicalis CIO Report 2026 highlights a clear tension in this regard. While 94% of organisations are increasing AI investment, many admit adoption is moving faster than they can effectively manage. Even more concerning: 62% of CIOs report compromising on governance due to limited knowledge, yet at the same time 76% say unchecked AI remains a serious concern. 

This gap between ambition and control is where risk takes hold. 

The new attack surface organisations are underestimating

AI is not simply another application layer. It fundamentally changes how data flows through the business and, more importantly, how attackers exploit it.

Research from IDC underscores this shift, as they predict 1 billion actively deployed AI agents by 2029, executing roughly 217 billion actions a day. As organisations embed agentic AI into everyday workflows, they are creating new architectural complexity and exposure points, while cyberattacks are occurring at unprecedented speed and scale. Attackers are also using AI themselves, automating phishing campaigns, improving social engineering and continuously refining tactics. 

At the same time, AI introduces vulnerabilities that traditional security frameworks were never designed to handle. Whether it’s prompt injection, model misuse or unsecured integrations, the threat landscape is evolving faster than many organisations can adapt. 

The hidden risk of ‘early experiments’   

Many enterprises began their AI journey with small-scale experiments, testing tools, running pilots or empowering teams to explore use cases. That initial phase has delivered valuable insights, but it has also introduced risk. 

IBM’s ‘Cost of a Breach’ report highlights a critical gap. While many organisations may have AI governance policies in place, only a minority (34%) regularly check for approved tools on their networks.  As a result, AI remains largely unchecked with leaks often stemming from everyday behaviour: employees pasting sensitive information into unsanctioned AI tools, using personal accounts or integrating AI into workflows without oversight. 

This phenomenon, often referred to as ‘shadow AI’ is particularly dangerous. It bypasses governance, monitoring and data protection controls, creating blind spots that security teams cannot see or manage. 

In effect what starts as a simple experiment can quickly scale into enterprise-wide exposure. 

AI is amplifying, not replacing, existing risks

It is important to recognise that AI is not creating entirely new threats. It is accelerating and amplifying the risks that organisations already face as bad actors leverage vulnerabilities magnified by AI. 

UK government research highlights that generative AI is increasing the speed and scale of cyber threats, making attacks more accessible to less sophisticated actors. Meanwhile, data leakage risks are growing as AI systems are embedded deeper into business processes, increasing the likelihood of unintended exposure of sensitive information. 

In other words, the same weaknesses - poor governance, fragmented security controls and human error - are operating at machine speed. 

Moving from experimentation to responsibility 

The question is no longer whether organisations should adopt AI. It is whether they are doing so responsibly. 

As the Logicalis CIO Report shows, many organisations are still in the “learning as we go” phase. That may be acceptable during early experimentation, but it is not sustainable at scale. To move forward with confidence, organisations must embed security into every stage of their AI journey. 

This means:

  • Treating AI as part of your core security architecture, not an extension of it
  • Establishing governance frameworks that provide visibility and accountability
  • Securing data flows across both internal and third-party AI tools
  • Addressing the human factor through clear policies and training 

The next steps for leaders 

AI presents an extraordinary opportunity, but only for those who can harness it responsibly. 

Leaders need to ask themselves one question: are your security capabilities evolving as quickly as your AI ambitions?

Now is the time to take stock. Review your current security posture. Assess how AI is being used across your organisation, both formally and informally. 

Most importantly, consider whether your existing controls are built for this new reality. Because in the AI era, innovation without security isn’t progress. It’s a liability. 

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