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Cisco in Advanced Talks to Acquire AI Security Startup Astrix for Up to $350 Million

By  |  April 12, 2026

Cisco is reportedly in advanced negotiations to acquire Astrix Security, an Israeli cybersecurity startup specializing in artificial intelligence protection, in a deal that could be valued between $250 million and $350 million. The discussions highlight a broader industry push to address emerging risks tied to AI-driven systems, according to The Information.

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    The potential acquisition underscores how major technology firms are increasingly prioritizing security solutions tailored to a new class of digital actors: non-human identities. These include automated software processes and AI agents that operate within corporate environments, often with extensive access privileges. According to The Information, this shift is driving demand for tools that can monitor and control such entities more effectively.

    Founded in 2021 by Alon Jackson and Idan Gour, both alumni of Israel’s elite Unit 8200, Astrix Security has focused on what it sees as a critical gap in cybersecurity. Its platform is designed to provide visibility into non-human identities and to detect excessive or potentially harmful access before it leads to security incidents. The company aims to help organizations better understand and manage the growing number of automated and AI-driven tools embedded in their systems.

    The relevance of Astrix’s technology has increased as enterprises accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence. AI agents are often granted broad permissions to interact with both internal infrastructure and external services, creating new vulnerabilities that traditional identity and access management systems were not designed to address. Per The Information, this evolving threat landscape is prompting large companies like Cisco to explore acquisitions that strengthen their AI security capabilities.

    Backed by investors including Menlo Ventures and Anthropic, Astrix has positioned itself at the forefront of this emerging sector. According to The Information, its approach reflects a wider recognition across the tech industry that securing AI systems requires new frameworks and tools beyond conventional cybersecurity methods.

    If completed, the deal would mark another strategic move by Cisco to expand its cybersecurity portfolio in response to rapidly changing technological risks.

    Source: The Information