Okta has agreed to acquire AI identity security startup Permiso Security, a move that aims to enhance its identity threat detection capabilities as businesses increasingly deploy autonomous software.
While the terms of the transaction were not disclosed by Okta, a source with knowledge of the deal indicated to TechCrunch that the acquisition is valued at just under $200 million and is structured as an almost all-cash deal. Okta's chief product officer, Ely Kahn, stated that Permiso will extend Okta’s identity security fabric with identity threat detection and response capabilities.
Permiso, which emerged from stealth in 2022, develops software to help security teams identify suspicious activity in cloud environments after users or applications have gained access. The startup has recently expanded its platform to monitor AI agents and other machine identities, including the introduction of SandyClaw, a platform designed to analyse AI agent skills for malicious behaviour before deployment.
The deal is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the third quarter of Okta's fiscal 2027.