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

Okta, an identity management company, is acquiring Permiso Security, an AI security startup, for approximately $200 million to strengthen its ability to protect AI agents and machine identities (non-human software entities that need security access) in cloud environments. Permiso develops software that detects suspicious activity and malicious behavior in cloud infrastructure, including a tool called SandyClaw that tests AI agents in a sandboxed environment (an isolated testing area) before they are deployed. This acquisition reflects growing demand from enterprises to secure AI systems as they become more integrated into business operations.