Palo Alto Networks has announced plans to acquire CyberArk in a definitive agreement valued at approximately $25 billion. The move marks a major shift in the cybersecurity landscape, aimed at addressing the growing need for unified identity security in the age of AI and machine identities.
The agreement, which has been approved by both companies’ Boards of Directors, is expected to close in the first half of 2026, pending regulatory and shareholder approvals.
Strengthening Enterprise Security with Combined Capabilities
The acquisition brings together Palo Alto Networks’ AI-driven cybersecurity platforms with CyberArk’s Identity Security and Privileged Access Management (PAM) technologies. The focus is on securing a broad range of identity types—including human, machine, and autonomous AI agents—at a time when identity-based threats are on the rise.
Nikesh Arora, Chairman and CEO of Palo Alto Networks, explained the company’s vision:
“Our market entry strategy has always been to enter categories at their inflection point, and we believe that moment for Identity Security is now. Today, the rise of AI and the explosion of machine identities have made it clear that the future of security must be built on the vision that every identity requires the right level of privilege controls, not the ‘IAM fallacy.’”
CyberArk’s Founder and Executive Chairman Udi Mokady also commented on the agreement:
“Joining forces with Palo Alto Networks is a powerful next chapter, built on shared values and a deep commitment to solving the toughest identity challenges. Together, we’ll bring unmatched expertise across human and machine identities, privileged access, and AI-driven innovation to secure what’s next.”
A Strategic Match at a Critical Time
Both firms are recognized leaders in their respective areas of cybersecurity.
- Palo Alto Networks, based in the U.S., serves over 70,000 businesses in more than 150 countries. The company offers advanced security solutions powered by AI, spanning networks, cloud environments, and security operations. It also operates Unit 42, a specialized threat intelligence team.
- CyberArk, founded in Israel, has spent over two decades building solutions to protect against attacks targeting privileged accounts. Its platform is widely used in financial services, energy, healthcare, retail, and government sectors.
By merging their capabilities, the companies aim to build a more complete security architecture for enterprises navigating the complexities of hybrid infrastructures and the expanding surface of digital identities.
The transaction will be one of the largest in the cybersecurity sector, signaling increasing consolidation among top-tier providers as identity and AI converge in enterprise environments.
