Cisco has announced it is acquiring Israeli cybersecurity startup Astrix Security for approximately $400 million. Astrix specializes in securing non-human identities, helping companies monitor and control the permissions of AI agents, API keys, and other automated tools. The startup was founded in 2021 by veterans of Israel's elite Unit 8200 and has focused on what it calls a critical blind spot in modern cybersecurity.
The deal is intended to bolster Cisco's security portfolio as the use of AI agents in business operations accelerates. Astrix’s technology will be integrated into Cisco's Identity Intelligence platform, extending its Zero Trust capabilities to manage and secure the expanding "agentic workforce." This will provide organizations with greater visibility and control over potential vulnerabilities introduced by AI agents.