AI agents are no longer a distant future concept. They have arrived, and the pace of their deployment is accelerating rapidly. In this episode of Threat Vector, David Moulton speaks with Nicole Nichols, Distinguished Engineer for Machine Learning Security at Palo Alto Networks. Nicole breaks down her new paper, Achieving a Secure AI Agent Ecosystem, where she outlines three foundational pillars for defending emerging agent-based systems: protecting agents from third-party compromise, ensuring user alignment, and guarding against malicious agents. With deep expertise spanning academia and industry, Nicole brings clarity on why structured collaboration, component provenance, and rigorous evaluation are essential for deploying autonomous AI safely.

For listeners looking to dive deeper into securing AI-driven environments, Palo Alto Networks offers a range of valuable resources:

Nicole also shares candid perspectives on what still needs to be built, from containment strategies to community-driven security protocols. If you are serious about securing the next era of autonomous systems, this episode is your primer.

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About Threat Vector

Threat Vector by Palo Alto Networks is your premier podcast for security thought leadership. Join us as we explore pressing cybersecurity threats, robust protection strategies, and the latest industry trends.

The podcast features in-depth discussions with industry leaders, Palo Alto Networks experts, and customers, providing crucial insights for security decision-makers.

Whether you're looking to stay ahead of the curve with innovative solutions or understand the evolving cybersecurity landscape, Threat Vector equips you with the knowledge needed to safeguard your organization.

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