Okta buys AI security startup Permiso; source says for about $200M

Okta connected Thursday agreed to acquire AI individuality information startup Permiso Security, betting that request for protecting AI agents and different instrumentality identities volition turn arsenic enterprises deploy autonomous bundle crossed their operations.

The individuality absorption institution did not disclose the presumption of the transaction. But TechCrunch has learned that the acquisition is valued astatine conscionable nether $200 cardinal and is structured arsenic an astir all-cash deal, according to a root with cognition of the deal. A spokesperson for Okta did not quality the fig erstwhile asked by TechCrunch, but would not remark connected specifics of the woody terms.

The woody is expected to adjacent successful the 3rd 4th of its fiscal 2027, Okta said, taxable to customary closing conditions.

Okta’s determination to bargain Permiso comes arsenic individuality absorption companies question to grow beyond verifying users astatine login to continuously monitoring what users, applications, and AI agents bash erstwhile gaining authorized entree to a web environment. That displacement has intensified contention to unafraid instrumentality identities arsenic enterprises embed AI deeper into mundane operations.

Permiso, which emerged from stealth successful 2022, develops bundle that helps information teams spot suspicious enactment successful unreality environments aft users oregon applications person been granted access. More recently, the startup has expanded its level to show AI agents and different instrumentality identities.

Co-founded by erstwhile FireEye executives Paul Nguyen and Jason Martin, Permiso specializes successful detecting attacks that usage stolen oregon compromised identities to determination done unreality infrastructure. In April, the startup besides introduced SandyClaw, a level designed to analyse AI cause skills successful a sandboxed situation to place malicious behaviour earlier they are deployed.

The woody strengthens Okta’s propulsion into securing AI agents and different non-human identities alongside its halfway individuality absorption business.

“Permiso volition widen Okta’s individuality information cloth with proven individuality menace detection and effect capabilities, and an unthinkable menace probe and information squad that volition beforehand Okta’s menace detection and prevention capabilities,” Okta’s main merchandise serviceman Ely Kahn said successful a prepared statement.

Permiso has raised astir $29 cardinal to date, including an $18.5 cardinal Series A round successful April 2024 led by Altimeter Capital. People acquainted with the financing said the Series A valued the Palo Alto-based startup astatine astir $80 cardinal connected a post-money basis.