Agentic AI: Are You Ready?
Are you ready for Agentic AI in your business? Probably not, so proceed with caution. It may not be in your budget for starters, but there’s deeper security and privacy concerns.
Yeah but what is it?
Agentic AI refers to using generative large language model artificial intelligence systems to act on your behalf to automate digital work.
You can have a *free virtual assistant increasing your productivity. Sounds great right?
The Killer App: OpenClaw 🦞
Until early 2026 most AI systems were just simply chatbots: you write a question or request (prompt) and they respond with an answer or make something like an image or video.
OpenClaw is different because it takes those responses and acts on them. So instead of saying the best local coffee shop is Sixbucks on Main St. It would take your new business contact and create an event at the coffee shop and schedule it, sending out messages to everyone.
Sounds really cool, but what’s the catch?
The Fine Print
The problem is that it’s not really free and there’s lots of security risks.
Pricing
You’re looking at around $500/mo on the low end just in operating costs. Add in $150/mo for maintenance and service and you’re looking at $650/mo or more.
Compare that to a human virtual assistant that you could hire for $150-$600/mo to complete all the same tasks without all the security and privacy risks.
Details
Yeah, but I thought you said it was free? OpenClaw is, sure. But then you also have to run OpenClaw somewhere, so you’re looking at either taxing your own machine’s performance or paying for service to a cloud PC.
OpenClaw is a memory constrained App, meaning RAM memory is the most important spec where ever you run it. Be aware RAM is in low supply and high demand right now due to industry consolidation and AI company’s demand.
Official OpenClaw System Requirements
| Spec | Minimum | Recommended | Comfortable |
|---|---|---|---|
| vCPU | 1 | 2 | 2+ |
| RAM | 1GB | 2GB | 4GB |
| Storage | 500MB | 2GB | 10GB+ |
| OS | Ubuntu 22.04+ / macOS | Ubuntu 24.04 | — |
| Node.js | 22+ | 22+ | 22+ |
| Docker | Optional | Optional | Recommended |
Storage Requirements
For gateway-only deployments, a 10GB SSD covers most users generously. For local model deployments, budget 50GB minimum to store one or two models with room for logs and caching. NVMe SSD is strongly preferred over HDD — model loading times from an HDD are noticeably slower. From PCBuildAdvisor.
Deployment Options: VPS, Local Machine, or Mini PC?
Cloud VPS (recommended for most users)
For gateway-only mode connecting to cloud APIs, a VPS is the most practical and cost-effective deployment. You get 24/7 uptime without your personal machine running constantly.
For most people you’ll want at least this:
4GB VPS: ~$24–30/month — comfortable for multi-channel, browser automation, daily workflows
AI Data Privacy and Security Risks
All AI systems are something you want to avoid if you are privacy concerned or have regulatory confidentiality concerns like HIPAA, PCI, etc.
Security Nightmare
Handing over digital drudge work to an AI sounds fun, but here’s some risks it exposes you to:
- More interest and opportunity (increased cyber attack surface) for scammers and hackers.
- All your accounts are delgated to a bot that answers to no one. Sure it is configured/programmed for your needs, but it’s a legal and ethical gray area that we honestly don’t know who answers for mistakes when they happen.
- Data leakage – there’s a chance that your accounts, personal information, and company secrets can get out to others online and when it’s available hackers will find it.
- Prompt injection attacks. This is a type of hacking method that has been adopted from databases; it allows hackers to potentially hijack your system and anything connected to it or put into it.
- People have permanently lost data to AI agents that decided to delete it. We’re talking months of multiple top engineer’s work out the window.
Agentic AI Privacy levels
Okay, I’ve heard your warning, which ones are the best for privacy if I’m going to use something? Don’t take our word for it: Incogni shows the best and worst AI models for privacy..
The best? C’est Français! The French AI Model Le Chat (Mistral AI) is the all around best model for your privacy. ChatGPT, Grok, and Claude follow in that order.
If you have the hardware running a model on your locally hosted PC is the best bet for privacy.
Still Want to Give it a Go? Let’s get ready!
There’s never been a better time than today to get the IT essentials in place for more reliable, secure, and productive tech. While no one can prevent all cyber attacks these will make attacks highly unlikely and give you the peace of mind of a quick recovery. If you want an AI system deployment we will first help you setup the necessary prerequisites:
- Email Security Trio with Security and Monitoring
- Real-time Security Monitoring
- Data and System Backups
- Password Managers
- Security Policies
- MultiFactor Authentication enabled on all accounts that allow it
- Network Firewall Security
- Regular patch management for all computing devices
- Data encryption
- Approved Web Browser used exclusively
Not considering deploying Agentic AI? You might still be wondering don’t I need those things too? You might be right, get in touch and we can help you get everything squared away.