A Review of Agentic AI in Cybersecurity: Cognitive Autonomy, Ethical Governance, and Quantum-Resilient Defense

Agentic Artificial Intelligence (AAI) refers to autonomous, adaptable, and goal-directed systems capable of proactive decision-making in dynamic environments. These agentic systems extend beyond reactive AI by leveraging cognitive architectures and reinforcement learning to enhance adaptability, resilience, and self-sufficiency in cybersecurity contexts. As cyber threats grow in sophistication and unpredictability, Agentic AI is rapidly becoming a foundational technology for intelligent cyber defense, enabling capabilities such as real-time anomaly detection, predictive threat response, and quantum-resilient protocols. This narrative review synthesizes literature from 2005 to 2025, integrating academic, industry, and policy sources across three thematic pillars: cognitive autonomy, ethical governance, and quantum-resilient defense. The review identifies key advancements in neuromorphic architectures, cross-jurisdictional governance models, and hybrid defense systems that adapt to evolving threat landscapes. It also exposes critical challenges, including dual-use risks, governance interoperability, and preparedness for post-quantum security. This work contributes a multi-dimensional conceptual framework linking governance mechanisms to operational practice, maps resilience strategies across conventional and quantum vectors, and outlines a forward-looking roadmap for secure, ethical, and adaptive deployment of Agentic AI in cybersecurity. The synthesis aims to support policymakers, developers, and security practitioners in navigating the accelerating convergence of autonomy, security, and AI ethics.