Credits are prepaid or pooled units that are spent as AI features, prompts, or workflows run. Vendors often wrap raw token consumption into credits so customers can buy, track, and budget usage more easily than by counting every model call. One credit system may map to a fixed amount of inference, tool execution, or agent activity, while another may vary by model or feature tier.
In cyber security, credits matter because they turn usage into a control point. If attackers trigger runaway agents, looped workflows, or abusive API calls, they can burn through credits and create direct cost impact. Defenders watch credit meters, reconcile usage logs, and alert on anomalies such as duplicate events, unexpected spikes, or tampered telemetry. Accurate credit accounting is also important for audits, dispute resolution, and detecting unauthorized consumption of AI services.