AI agents are increasingly relying on relay protocols to network and communicate, but this growing interconnectivity is introducing serious security risks. According to NS3.AI, these relay-based connections are forming viral attack pathways that allow unsafe configurations to propagate rapidly across agent networks.
The threat landscape is expanding quickly. Thousands of exposed control panels, leaked credentials, and poorly secured agent endpoints have turned AI agent ecosystems into attractive targets for attackers. In some cases, malicious or experimental agents are reportedly offering Bitcoin bounties to incentivize the discovery of exploitable vulnerabilities.
NS3.AI outlines three likely scenarios for the industry over the next 90 days:
Security Hardening – Widespread adoption of stronger authentication, isolation, and monitoring for agent networks.
Rising Exploitation – Increased attacks leveraging shared relay infrastructure and misconfigured agents.
Regulatory & Platform Crackdowns – Tighter controls on agent deployment, distribution, and inter-agent communication by major platforms.
As AI agents become more autonomous and interconnected, security posture—not capability—may determine which ecosystems survive the next phase of adoption.
