AI agent identity security tests whether consolidated platforms can protect a growing class of machine identities. The acquisition of CyberArk Software Ltd. by Palo Alto Networks Inc. reflects broader consolidation in the identity security market.
Okta Inc. recently added an AI agent runtime gateway and formed the Blueprint Alliance with Amazon Web Services Inc. and CrowdStrike Holdings Inc. Despite these efforts, organizations remain uncertain about where agent attacks originate and what security layers should respond, according to Todd Thiemann (pictured), principal analyst of identity and access management and data security at Omdia, a division of Informa TechTarget Inc.
“I asked about 400 people, ‘What is the main barrier to implementing identity security for AI agents?’ The first response that came back was basically confusion and also uncertainty about where the attacks would come from,” Thiemann said.
Thiemann spoke with Krista Case of theCUBE Research and co-host Rebecca Knight at Oktane during exclusive coverage of theCUBE, SiliconANGLE Media’s livestreaming studio. They discussed why AI agent identity security requires coordinated controls across multiple layers of the technology stack. (*Disclosure below.)
AI agent identity security spans multiple levels
Security leaders also disagree about which type of platform should take the lead. In Omdia’s survey of 400 security leaders, Thiemann asked which platform should be responsible for identity security for AI agents.
“The number one answer was: ‘My data security platform’.” This is Palo Alto Networks. Now they have CyberArk or Microsoft or something like that. The next answer was, ‘I want to use my identity platform,'” Thiemann said.
The Blueprint Alliance defines gateway functions such as authentication, authorization and visibility. Thiemann said data security and other risks may still require controls across multiple vendors, which increases the number of policies companies must coordinate and creates gaps. This complexity suggests a deep defense rather than a dominant platform.
“With AI agents [it is] a bit of the Wild West – a lot of changes are happening,” Thiemann said. “That’s one of the problems… it has to solve itself.”
Here’s the full video interview, part of SiliconANGLE and theCUBE’s coverage of Oktane:
(*Disclosure: TheCUBE is a paid media partner for the Oktane 2026 event. Neither Okta, the sponsor of theCUBE’s event coverage, nor any other sponsors has editorial control over theCUBE or SiliconANGLE content.)
Photo: SiliconANGLE
Support our mission to keep content open and free by interacting with theCUBE community. Join theCUBE Alumni Trust Networkwhere technology leaders connect, share information and create opportunities.
- Over 15 million viewers of theCUBE videosto spark conversations about AI, cloud, cybersecurity and more
- Over 11.4k theCUBE alumni — Connect with more than 11,400 technology and business leaders shaping the future through a unique, trusted network
Founded by tech visionaries John Furrier and Dave Vellante, SiliconANGLE Media has built a dynamic ecosystem of industry-leading digital media brands, reaching over 15 million elite tech professionals. Our new proprietary theCUBE AI Video Cloud is a game-changer in audience engagement, leveraging the theCUBEai.com neural network to help technology companies make data-driven decisions and stay at the forefront of the industry conversation.
