Key facts
- Okta is acquiring AI identity security startup Permiso Security.
- The deal is valued at approximately $200 million and is structured as an almost all-cash transaction.
- Permiso develops software to detect suspicious activity in cloud environments and monitor AI agents.
- The acquisition aims to enhance Okta's capabilities in securing machine identities and AI agents.
- The deal is expected to close in the third quarter of Okta's fiscal 2027.
Okta announced on Thursday its agreement to acquire Permiso Security, an AI identity security startup, for approximately $200 million in an all-cash deal. This move signals Okta's strategy to expand its identity management services beyond user verification to include continuous monitoring of users, applications, and AI agents within enterprise networks.
Permiso, founded by former FireEye executives Paul Nguyen and Jason Martin, specializes in detecting threats that exploit compromised identities in cloud environments. The startup recently launched SandyClaw, a platform designed to analyze AI agent behavior in a sandbox to identify malicious activity before deployment. This acquisition is expected to enhance Okta's threat detection and prevention capabilities, particularly in securing non-human identities.
Okta's Chief Product Officer, Ely Kahn, stated that Permiso will integrate proven identity threat detection and response capabilities into Okta's security fabric, supported by an experienced threat research team. Permiso had previously raised about $29 million, with its Series A round in April 2024 valuing the company at approximately $80 million post-money.
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is anticipated to be finalized in the third quarter of Okta's fiscal year 2027.