GovTech RSAC 2026 Analysis: Agentic AI and Active Defense Dominate Conference, IDC Forecasts 1.3 Billion AI Agents by 2028

GovTech·medium signal

GovTech's RSAC 2026 wrap-up identifies agentic AI security and active defense as the two dominant conference themes. Key keynotes from Cisco's Jeetu Patel warned 'With agents, you worry about taking the wrong action,' while Mandiant's Sandra Joyce called for moving beyond defense to disruption. IDC projections cited at the conference forecast 1.3 billion AI agents by 2028 — forcing identity to become a concept that includes autonomous systems alongside people and devices. The narrative arc shifted from 'can we deploy agents?' to 'how do we govern agents at 1.3B scale?'