6 days Ago
Navigating the complexities of securing AI-driven systems requires innovative, AI-native solutions ...
More to protect data and ensure safe, seamless operations. From generative models to agentic AI, artificial intelligence promises to drive innovation across industries. However, as organizations increasingly integrate AI into their operations, a critical challenge arises: how do you secure something as dynamic, autonomous, and complex as AI? The answer is clear—just as cloud computing required a shift toward cloud-native security tools, AI demands a new breed of security solutions designed specifically for AI's unique needs.
In the early days of cloud computing, businesses attempted to secure cloud environments using traditional on-premises security tools. This approach didn’t take into account the cloud’s distinct characteristics—shared responsibility models, massive scale, and the difficulty of securing data distributed across various locations. This led to a realization: effective cloud security couldn’t be achieved by simply applying old methods; it required new, cloud-native tools.
The shift to cloud-native security solutions was not just about scaling existing systems—it was about rethinking security to match the cloud’s architecture. These tools needed to be elastic, cloud-aware, and able to monitor and protect dynamic, distributed environments in real time. The cloud became the catalyst for a more sophisticated approach to security, and this same evolution is now required for AI.
AI systems differ fundamentally from traditional software applications. They can learn, adapt, and evolve in real time, creating a new set of risks. From generative AI tools like ChatGPT to more advanced agentic AI systems, the attack surface grows with each new model that’s introduced.
Security tools designed for static systems simply cannot keep pace with the rapid changes in AI systems. This challenge isn’t theoretical—it’s already here. As Moinul Khan , co-founder and CEO of Aurascape , pointed out during a recent conversation, “Organizations are focused on keeping bad actors out and protecting intellectual property—AI adds a layer of complexity to that.
” The core challenge is maintaining control over what AI systems are doing and ensuring that sensitive data doesn’t leave the organization in the process. AI technologies constantly evolve, which is part of their value—but also part of their risk. Traditional security tools, which are designed for static environments, simply don’t have the capability to monitor AI systems’ behaviors effectively.
These tools are unable to track how AI models learn, interact with data, or adapt to new inputs. As Khan explained, traditional network security tools like firewalls and proxies are inadequate when it comes to AI applications. “When I post a file to Microsoft Copilot and ask for a summary, that’s an HTTP POST.
But if I interact with Copilot through a series of back-and-forth queries, your existing firewalls and proxies are blind. They can’t see or understand the interactions.” This is where AI-native security tools come into play.
AI-native security solutions must be able to monitor AI-specific activities, providing visibility into data flows and AI outputs while offering granular control. These tools need to be designed with AI’s behavior in mind—understanding how AI models work, what data they process, and how their outputs are used. In response to these unique challenges, AI-native security tools are emerging.
These tools offer several key capabilities: Real-Time Threat Detection : AI-native security solutions must be able to detect anomalous behaviors in real time as AI systems process data, learn from new inputs, and generate outputs. Granular Control Over AI Systems : Just as cloud-native security tools provide granular control over cloud environments, AI-native security tools give businesses control over AI applications. This includes monitoring and controlling the data that AI systems access and ensuring their outputs align with security policies.
Data Protection Across AI Systems : With AI processing vast amounts of data, security tools must ensure that sensitive information is not exposed or misused. AI-native solutions need to protect data as it moves through AI systems, ensuring compliance with regulations like GDPR and HIPAA. The evolution of security for emerging technologies typically follows a pattern and offers a roadmap for securing AI.
Khan drew a direct parallel between the early days of cloud security and the current state of AI security: “We are not creating a new market; we are solving the same problem that organizations faced 20 years ago with the internet. The only difference is that now we are dealing with AI applications that need to be understood in an entirely different way. It’s not just about blocking bad actors, it’s about understanding the specific use cases, interactions, and data flows of AI systems.
” This shift to AI-native security is already happening. Aurascape recently emerged from stealth after a year of operations to position itself as a player in this movement. The company launched with $50M in funding from prominent investors like Mayfield Fund and Menlo Ventures, alongside strategic backers such as former Palo Alto Networks CEO Mark McLaughlin and former Zscaler Chief Strategy Officer Manoj Apte.
“We capture the entire query and response, giving you insight into what your users are doing with AI in real time,” Khan said. This capability allows businesses to monitor and secure data flows across a wide range of AI applications, providing both visibility and protection in a way that traditional security models cannot. As the demand for AI solutions grows, the need for AI-native security tools has never been more urgent.
Aurascape’s market entry, backed by its strong investor network and its AI Activity Control platform, is a step toward helping organizations meet this challenge. As AI technologies become more integrated into business operations, securing these systems is paramount. The lessons learned from cloud security demonstrate that when new technologies emerge, security frameworks must evolve to meet those challenges.
The shift to AI-native security tools is not just inevitable—it is essential for businesses that want to fully harness the power of AI without exposing themselves to unnecessary risks. Aurascape’s approach, which utilizes AI to fight AI, exemplifies this evolution. By providing organizations with the ability to monitor and control AI applications in real time, businesses can confidently adopt AI technologies while protecting their most valuable assets—intellectual property and sensitive data.
To take advantage of the AI revolution while avoiding unnecessary risk, organizations must adopt AI-native security solutions that are built specifically to handle the unique demands of AI systems. Just as cloud-native security tools were necessary for securing the cloud, AI-native security tools will be critical in ensuring that AI can be adopted safely and securely across industries. The future of AI is filled with potential—but only if we can secure it properly.
.
