Enterprise security teams are increasingly turning to inference security platforms as AI-driven attacks exploit runtime weaknesses, outpacing traditional security measures. The shift is driven by the rapid weaponization of vulnerabilities and shrinking breakout times, according to a January 9, 2026, report by Louis Columbus.
The report highlights that attackers are leveraging AI to reverse engineer patches within 72 hours, significantly reducing the window of opportunity for enterprises to apply necessary security updates. Mike Riemer, field CISO at Ivanti, noted the accelerated pace of exploit development, stating, "Threat actors are reverse engineering patches within 72 hours. If a customer doesn't patch within 72 hours of release, they're open to exploit. The speed has been enhanced greatly by AI."
CrowdStrike's 2025 Global Threat Report documented breakout times as fast as 51 seconds, meaning attackers can move from initial access to lateral movement within a network before security teams can even detect the intrusion. The same report also revealed that 79% of detections were malware-free, with adversaries employing hands-on keyboard techniques to bypass traditional endpoint defenses.
This new threat landscape necessitates a different approach to security, one that focuses on runtime environments where AI agents operate. Traditional security measures often lack the visibility and control needed to effectively defend against these attacks. Inference security platforms are designed to address this gap by providing real-time monitoring and protection for AI applications.
The industry impact is significant, as CISOs grapple with the challenge of securing AI-driven systems. The traditional model of relying on signature-based detection and manual patching is no longer sufficient in the face of AI-powered attacks. The adoption of inference security platforms represents a proactive step towards mitigating these risks.
The rise of AI-enabled attacks is forcing enterprises to re-evaluate their security strategies and invest in solutions that can keep pace with the evolving threat landscape. The deployment of inference security platforms is expected to continue to grow as organizations seek to protect their AI assets and maintain a strong security posture.
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