Cisco Announces Intent to Acquire Astrix Security to Strengthen AI Agent Security

Cisco has announced its intent to acquire Astrix Security, a cybersecurity company focused on securing non-human identities (NHIs), as enterprises increasingly adopt AI agents and automated systems across business operations. 

The acquisition reflects Cisco’s broader push into AI security and Zero Trust architecture, particularly around securing AI agents, API keys, service accounts, and OAuth tokens that are rapidly becoming part of modern enterprise infrastructure. 

Cisco stated that Astrix Security’s capabilities will strengthen visibility, governance, lifecycle management, and threat detection for AI agents and NHIs, helping organizations manage what the company describes as the emerging “agentic workforce.” 

According to Cisco, the planned integration will extend into Cisco Identity Intelligence, Cisco Secure Access, and Duo Identity and Access Management offerings, enabling organizations to authenticate, authorize, and monitor AI-driven identities across enterprise systems. 

The move comes amid growing industry concern around AI-powered automation and the expanding attack surface created by autonomous agents operating at machine speed. Cisco’s AI Readiness Index cited in the announcement noted that only 24% of organizations currently have adequate guardrails and monitoring for AI agent activity.

Founded in 2021, Astrix Security built its platform around securing identities and credentials powering modern systems, particularly API keys, OAuth tokens, and service accounts. The company gained traction as enterprises faced increasing challenges around visibility and governance for machine identities and AI-connected infrastructure.

Industry discussions following the announcement have highlighted how cybersecurity priorities are shifting from traditional user authentication toward behavioral monitoring, intent validation, and lifecycle governance for AI agents and machine identities.

The acquisition also continues Cisco’s broader expansion across AI infrastructure and security. In recent months, the company has announced additional AI-focused acquisitions including Galileo, aimed at improving AI observability and trust across enterprise environments.

Security analysts increasingly view non-human identity management as one of the fastest-growing areas within enterprise cybersecurity, particularly as organizations deploy more autonomous AI systems, workflow agents, and machine-to-machine interactions across cloud ecosystems.

Financial terms of the transaction were not officially disclosed by Cisco. Industry reports cited estimates placing the deal value between $250 million and $400 million.

 

About Cisco:

Cisco is a global networking and cybersecurity company providing enterprise infrastructure, cloud, networking, collaboration, and security solutions across businesses worldwide.

About Astrix Security:

Astrix Security is a cybersecurity company specializing in non-human identity security, AI agent governance, API security, and machine credential protection for enterprise environments.

 

Source and Credits: Cisco