by Kyle Alspach, via CRN
Okta is seeking to add capabilities in the fast-growing area of identity threat detection and response (ITDR) with the announcement Thursday that it plans to acquire a startup in the segment, Permiso Security.
Without a doubt, identity security is becoming an increasingly central component of AI strategies around the industry, according to Chris Konrad, vice president of global cyber at St. Louis-based World Wide Technology, No. 10 on CRN's Solution Provider 500 for 2026.
The focus on identity is rising fast with the growing adoption of AI agents that are designed to access applications and data, requiring the extension of security measures around identities and permissions to agents, Konrad noted.
When it comes to the push for agents, "identity is playing right in the heart of all of that," he said. "These agents need an identity. And they need the same governance, policies and controls around that [as humans]."