WhatsApp Channel Join Now
Telegram Group Join Now

Relevance: GS-III (Internal Security, Cyber Security, Science & Technology) Source: Security & Tech Policy Updates, 2026

1 · What is the issue?

Today, computers do not just follow human orders; they are beginning to think for themselves. Experts say that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cyber threats have combined to form a dangerous “double helix”—two deeply connected threats shaping modern warfare and national safety.
Earlier, AI just wrote essays or created images (Generative AI). Now, we have “Agentic AI” that can independently plan and execute massive cyberattacks without human help. For India and the world, this means rogue groups, terrorists, and rival nations have powerful new tools to easily bypass traditional security walls, making national defense much more challenging.

2 · The AI Threat Cycle

Step 1: The Rise of Agentic AI
AI has shifted from just answering prompts to taking independent action. It can now run complex, multi-step operations on its own.
▼
Step 2: Finding Hidden Flaws
Advanced AI models (like ‘Mythos’) can quickly hunt down unknown software weaknesses across the internet before human engineers can fix them.
▼
Step 3: Bypassing Defenses
Once inside, AI-powered viruses can adapt and change their code to sneak past traditional anti-virus software and strict “Zero Trust” security walls.
▼
Step 4: Automated Warfare
In real-world conflicts, autonomous AI weapons can detect, track, and strike targets at speeds far beyond human capacity.

3 · Key Tech & Security Concepts

Agentic AI
Self-Acting Systems
Unlike standard AI that waits for your commands, Agentic AI executes tasks autonomously without human intervention, making it dangerous in the wrong hands.
Zero-Day Vulnerability
The Hidden Flaw
A weakness in a computer system that the original creators do not know about. AI can find these instantly and exploit them before developers have “zero days” to fix it.
AI Hallucinations
When Machines Lie
AI models often present completely false or distorted information very confidently. In a military situation, trusting a hallucinating AI could start an accidental war.
Human-in-the-Loop
Keeping Control
A crucial safety rule (HITL) stating that humans must always have the final say and oversight before any AI system takes a major defense or security action.

UPSC Prelims Quick Facts
CERT-In The Computer Emergency Response Team – India is the national nodal agency that responds to all computer security incidents and hacking attempts.
DCyA The Defence Cyber Agency is a special joint command of the Indian Armed Forces dedicated strictly to handling cyber warfare and security threats.
IndiaAI Mission India is actively focusing on building “Sovereign AI” so that our critical military and civilian data does not rely on foreign AI models.
DPDP Act, 2023 The Digital Personal Data Protection Act acts as the first line of defense by strictly controlling how data is processed, preventing enemy AI from misusing citizen data.

MCQ Practice Question
Q. With reference to Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence, consider the following statements:

  1. ‘Agentic AI’ refers to AI systems that require constant, step-by-step human prompts to function.
  2. CERT-In acts as the nodal agency for responding to computer security incidents in India.
  3. A ‘Zero-day’ vulnerability is a software flaw that the original developers are not yet aware of.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only    (b) 2 and 3 only    (c) 1 and 3 only    (d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only

  • Statement 1 — Incorrect (the trap): Agentic AI is dangerous precisely because it operates autonomously, planning and taking actions without needing constant step-by-step human prompts.
  • Statement 2 — Correct: CERT-In is India’s primary body for handling cybersecurity threats and incidents.
  • Statement 3 — Correct: A zero-day vulnerability is a flaw unknown to the software vendor. Since the vendor has had “zero days” to fix it, hackers (or AI) can exploit it immediately.
Ajmal IAS APSC Foundation Course

Recent Posts

Ajmal IAS APSC Foundation BATCH
Ajmal IAS APSC Foundation Course

Start Yours at Ajmal IAS – with Mentorship StrategyDisciplineClarityResults that Drives Success

Your dream deserves this moment — begin it here.