PALO ALTO NETWORKS ACQUIRES PORTKEY FOR AI SECURITY

Palo Alto Networks, a major cybersecurity vendor, is moving to expand its AI security capabilities through the acquisition of Portkey. The startup builds AI gateway technology designed to manage and secure AI agents—autonomous systems that perform tasks with minimal human intervention. The deal values Portkey at $120M-$140M, according to sources cited by The Economic Times. Palo Alto Networks plans to integrate Portkey's technology into its broader security platform to address emerging risks around AI agent deployment. As enterprises increasingly deploy AI agents for operational tasks, security gaps have become a priority concern. Gateway technology sits between applications and AI models, allowing companies to monitor, control, and protect AI system interactions. The acquisition reflects broader industry trends as major security firms race to build AI-specific defenses. Palo Alto Networks joins competitors like Microsoft and Amazon in bolstering AI safety capabilities ahead of wider enterprise adoption.