Enabling Secure AI-Driven IT Operations: Lonny Schwartz on Giving AI the Right Level of Access

Bringing AI into IT Operations Without Losing Control

Artificial Intelligence is transforming how organizations manage IT operations, automate workflows, and make operational decisions. However, as AI becomes more capable of taking action across enterprise systems, a critical question emerges: How can organizations give AI the ability to act without giving up control?

In this episode of Aiven Asks, a podcast by Aiven Consulting Group focused on applied AI and operations, Josh Agusti sits down with Lonny Schwartz, Co-Founder of OpsZ, to discuss how enterprises and growing organizations can introduce AI into their IT environments while maintaining security, governance, and accountability.

Giving AI the Right Level of Access

One of the key principles discussed is that AI should not automatically receive unrestricted access to enterprise systems. Instead, AI should operate with the same permissions as the person using it.

This permission-based approach ensures that AI cannot perform actions beyond the user's authorized access. By aligning AI capabilities with existing user permissions, organizations can reduce security risks while enabling teams to benefit from intelligent automation.

Controlled Workflows Instead of Unrestricted Actions

Allowing AI to execute operational tasks requires more than simply connecting it to enterprise tools. Organizations need structured workflows that define how actions are initiated, executed, and managed.

OpsZ emphasizes the importance of running AI-driven activities through controlled workflows. This creates a structured execution environment where actions follow defined processes, business rules, and authorization requirements rather than allowing AI to operate without boundaries.

Maintaining Transparency and Accountability

Security and governance do not end when an AI action is authorized. Organizations also need visibility into what AI does, why an action was performed, and how it was executed.

Audit trails play an important role in this process by maintaining a record of operational activities. This helps IT teams monitor execution, investigate issues, establish accountability, and maintain confidence in AI-driven operations.

Preparing IT Operations for Enterprise AI

Before introducing AI into IT operations, leaders need to establish the right foundation. This includes reviewing access permissions, defining operational workflows, strengthening governance practices, and ensuring that every action can be monitored and audited.

The discussion highlights that successful enterprise AI adoption is not simply about deploying more intelligent models. It is about building the infrastructure, controls, and processes that allow AI to work safely within an organization's existing operational environment.

The Future of AI-Driven IT Operations

As organizations move toward more autonomous IT operations, balancing automation with control will become increasingly important.

The conversation between Josh Agusti and Lonny Schwartz explores a practical approach to this challenge: empowering AI to take meaningful action while keeping permissions, workflows, and accountability firmly in place.

The goal is not to limit what AI can accomplish, but to ensure it operates within the right boundaries.