Technology

From guardrails to governance: A CEO’s guide for securing agentic systems

Source

MIT Technology Review

Published

Feb 4, 2026

TL;DR

AI Generated

The article provides a practical guide for CEOs on securing agentic systems by implementing strict controls on identity, tools, and data. It outlines an eight-step plan to govern agentic systems effectively, emphasizing the importance of constraining capabilities and controlling data and behavior. The guide advises treating agents as powerful, semi-autonomous users and enforcing rules at boundaries where they interact with various components. CEOs are encouraged to continuously evaluate and monitor these systems to ensure governance and resilience. The focus is on integrating AI security measures within existing security frameworks to manage risks effectively.

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