Agentic AI , Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning , Next-Generation Technologies & Secure Development

AI Agents Demand Scalable Identity Security Frameworks

Artificial intelligence agents are transforming identity security. Traditional systems focused on human access are no longer enough. The rise of machine identities and agentic AI has created an urgent need for scalable, automated frameworks that ensure security at speed and scale.

Organizations are deploying AI agents across various business functions. These agents often access sensitive data and operate autonomously with other agents, said Damon McDougald, global cyber protection lead at Accenture. This future could include "billions of agents running around on the internet doing all sorts of interesting things." To secure them, each agent needs strong, verifiable identity and controlled, time-limited access - just like human users.

Accenture's AI refinery framework helps organizations design and manage these agents. Built on Nvidia infrastructure, the framework supports a wide range of tasks - from IT to marketing. Accenture integrates identity orchestration into its framework with CyberArk's tools to automate credential management and enforce zero trust policies.

"We manage them much like you would manage a human and an admin," McDougald said. "When an agent is born, it gets a set of credentials that are managed and rotated. It can get multifactor credentials too. Depending on how sensitive they are, they will have ephemeral access."

In this video interview with Information Security Media Group at CyberArk Impact 2025, McDougald also discussed:

• Reducing security operations cost and mitigating skill shortages;
• Automating security tasks such as detection, orchestration and incident response;
• Ensuring AI agents operate autonomously with full auditability and compliance.

Damon McDougald is Accenture's Global Cyber Protection Lead, heading a team of 8,000 dedicated security professionals worldwide. With over 21 years of experience, he has successfully delivered over 100 projects for 50+ global organizations, focusing on modernizing and enhancing security controls to protect digital infrastructures.

In his role, Damon drives strategic re-invention of of Accenture’s Cybersecurity services using Gen AI and AI Agents.