When AI Becomes an Identity: Governing Autonomous Access in the Enterprise
AI is rapidly becoming one of the most privileged and least governed actors in the enterprise.
From provisioning infrastructure to interacting with sensitive data and systems, AI agents are now executing actions that traditionally required tightly controlled human access. Yet, unlike human identities, these non-human actors often operate without clear ownership, consistent policy enforcement, or full visibility.
For CISOs, CIOs, and security leaders, this introduces a critical question:
How do you secure and govern identities that think, act, and scale independently?
This closed-door roundtable brings together Malaysian leaders to examine how identity must evolve to remain the control plane for enterprise risk. The discussion will focus on enforcing accountability, containing privilege, and embedding control – before AI-driven access becomes the next major breach vector.
AI as a High-Privilege, Unmanaged Identity
Understanding why AI agents are becoming the least governed yet most powerful identities in the enterprise
The New Attack Surface: Non-Human Identities
Exposing blind spots across AI, service accounts, and machine-to-machine access
Enforcing Least Privilege in Autonomous Systems
Controlling dynamic, ephemeral access without slowing down AI-driven operations
From Policy to Embedded Control
Moving identity enforcement into infrastructure, pipelines, and runtime environments
Scaling AI Without Losing Control
Preventing identity sprawl while maintaining visibility, auditability, and accountability
Jerome Walter
Field CTO
HashiCorp, an IBM company
Jerome Walter is a seasoned cybersecurity executive currently serving as Field CTO at HashiCorp, an IBM company. Previously, he was the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Trust Bank Singapore, where he played a pivotal role in designing and implementing security programs for the digital bank. His innovative and pragmatic approach to cloud security and agile development enabled the digital bank to reach 800,000 customers within 18 months of launch, becoming one of the fastest-growing digital banks in the world. Jerome has over 22 years of experience in the technology and security industry, known for his hands-on approach and deep technical expertise, holding leadership roles at VMware, Pivotal Software, Prudential Corporation Asia, and Natixis.
Shaibal Saha
Digital Trust Leader
IBM Security Asia Pacific
Shaibal Saha is the IBM Security Digital Trust Leader for the APAC region, with over 20 years of experience in cybersecurity. He specializes in advisory services, identity and access management, data security, digital security, device security, and fraud management. Shaibal has worked with clients across the JAPAC region, leading numerous security projects from inception to execution, covering vision, strategy, roadmaps, business cases, design, build, and operations.
In recent years, Shaibal has focused on Zero Trust security advisory and consulting, helping clients define and implement their Zero Trust vision, strategy, and roadmap. He is also heavily involved in securing clients’ digital transformation journeys, especially as they adopt cloud, mobile, AI, and data technologies. Additionally, Shaibal works with enterprises to prevent online fraud and scams targeting consumers, helping to establish and maintain digital trust.
Before joining IBM, Shaibal led the ASEAN Cybersecurity practice at PwC Consulting. Prior to that, he managed product portfolios for Oracle Cloud Security (PaaS/IaaS) and Oracle IAM across Asia Pacific and Japan.
Shaibal holds a management degree from the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore.
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The Metropolis Tower One
Singapore 138588
9, North Buona Vista Drive, # 02-01
The Metropolis Tower One
Singapore 138588
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