AgentKey · Security

AI Agent Authorization

AI agent authorization is the decision process that determines, at runtime, whether an AI agent is permitted to take a specific action against a specific resource, before the action reaches the external tool or API.

By AgentKey · Last updated 2026-09-01

What it decides

For every tool call, authorization answers one question: may this agent perform this action on this resource with these arguments right now? The answer is a decision the agent must respect before the call is made.

Allow: the action is permitted, subject to any parameter conditions.
Deny (Block): the action is not permitted, regardless of arguments.
Ask (Require approval): the action is permitted only after a human approves it.

Why it must be runtime

An agent's behavior is not fully known when you deploy it. The model chooses actions from context. Static allow-lists of tools are not enough, because the same tool can be used correctly or dangerously depending on arguments. Authorization therefore evaluates the resource, the action, and the parameters at the moment of the call.

Inputs to the decision

The permission policy for this agent, resource, and action.
Parameter conditions (for example, amount lte 100).
Risk signals from the tool trust registry and input scans.
The agent's recent activity in the current session.

Where AgentKey fits

AgentKey's authorize function is this decision point. It evaluates the policy, conditions, and risk signals, returns an allow/deny/ask decision, and writes an evidence event whether or not the action proceeds.

Frequently asked questions

What is AI agent authorization?

The runtime decision of whether an agent may take a specific action on a specific resource before the action runs. The outcome is allow, deny, or require human approval.

How do you control what an AI agent can do?

By authorizing each action at runtime against a policy that names the resource and action, with optional parameter conditions. No matching policy means deny by default.