Palo Alto Networks to Acquire Protect AI to Enhance AI Security

Palo Alto Networks has entered into an agreement to acquire Protect AI, a leader in securing AI and machine learning applications. This acquisition aligns with Palo Alto Networks' ongoing efforts to bolster its cybersecurity offerings and address the evolving threats associated with the rapid adoption of AI technologies.

"By extending our AI security capabilities to include Protect AI's innovative solutions for Securing for AI, businesses will be able to build AI applications with comprehensive security," writes Anand Oswal, SVP and GM, Palo Alto Networks, in a press release. 

As enterprises and government organizations increasingly incorporate AI models, agents, infrastructure, and third-party components into their systems, they expose themselves to new risks. These risks, often overlooked, include model manipulation, data poisoning, and prompt injection attacks. The complexity of AI ecosystems necessitates specialized security solutions capable of addressing vulnerabilities across multiple layers.

Palo Alto Networks has been proactive in developing AI-specific security solutions. The acquisition of Protect AI marks a significant step toward expanding these efforts. Protect AI's portfolio of tools and its team of experts will contribute to Palo Alto Networks' vision for Prisma AIRS, an integrated platform designed to secure the AI development lifecycle. Prisma AIRS will offer enterprise-grade protection across model scanning, risk assessment, Generative AI runtime security, posture management, and AI agent security.

The addition of Protect AI will accelerate Palo Alto Networks' ability to deliver best-in-class security solutions for organizations integrating AI into their operations. "We are excited for the opportunity to unite with a company that shares our vision and brings the operational scale and cybersecurity expertise to amplify our impact globally," says Ian Swanson, Co-Founder and CEO, Protect AI.

This acquisition underscores the growing demand for AI security solutions. As AI becomes increasingly embedded in business operations, traditional security tools struggle to address the unique risks posed by AI systems. The integration of Protect AI into Palo Alto Networks will strengthen the company's ability to protect enterprises as they adopt and scale AI technologies.

The transaction is expected to close by the first quarter of fiscal 2026, pending regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. Following the deal's completion, Protect AI’s team will join Palo Alto Networks, further enhancing its expertise in AI security.