Cisco Systems is reportedly in advanced negotiations to acquire Tel Aviv-based AI security startup Astrix Security in a deal potentially valued between $250 million and $350 million.

Key Points

• Astrix Security specializes in identifying and securing AI agents, non-human identities, and MCP servers within corporate networks.
• The platform provides automated risk mitigation, including just-in-time access controls and the ability to revoke permissions for malicious agents.
• Astrix has previously secured funding from investors including Workday Inc. and the Anthology Fund, which is backed by Anthropic PBC.
• This potential acquisition follows Cisco’s recent agreement to purchase Galileo Technologies, a startup focused on AI hallucination firewalls.
• The proposed deal valuation represents approximately triple the total funding Astrix has raised since its inception.

Why it Matters

This acquisition highlights Cisco's aggressive strategy to integrate specialized security layers into its enterprise portfolio as businesses increasingly adopt autonomous AI agents. By securing these non-human identities, Cisco aims to address critical vulnerabilities that traditional cybersecurity tools are not yet equipped to manage.