Okta has struck a deal to acquire Permiso Security, an identity security startup, for approximately $200 million. The move comes as enterprises increasingly rely on autonomous software and AI agents, prompting a shift in identity management beyond mere login verification.

The acquisition will bolster Okta’s capabilities in monitoring machine identities, particularly those of AI agents, aligning with the growing need to secure digital operations across businesses. Permiso’s expertise lies in detecting attacks using stolen or compromised identities within cloud environments, offering advanced threat detection and response mechanisms.

Ely Kahn, Okta’s chief product officer, highlighted Permiso’s 'proven identity threat detection and response capabilities' as a key asset for the company's identity security fabric. The deal is expected to close in Q3 of fiscal 2027, subject to usual closing conditions.

Permiso, co-founded by former FireEye executives Paul Nguyen and Jason Martin, has raised about $29 million so far, including an $18.5 million Series A round led by Altimeter Capital in April 2024. This round valued the startup at around $80 million on a post-money basis.