Okta to Acquire Axiom Security to Boost Cloud-Native PAM

Okta is set to acquire Axiom Security, a privileged access management (PAM) startup founded by Israeli Air Force veteran Itay Mesika, to bolster its security offerings across databases, Kubernetes, and just-in-time access. The acquisition aligns with Okta’s SaaS-first strategy, ensuring faster time to value and seamless integration with its existing privileged access platform.

According to Okta Chief Product Officer Arnab Bose, Axiom stood out for its AI-driven connectors and advanced support for dynamic cloud-native environments such as containers and Kubernetes. “It’s a complimentary additive component that strengthens Okta Privileged Access by covering areas where we previously lacked depth, like databases and cloud-native infrastructures,” Bose said.

Founded in 2021, Axiom employs around 20 people and emerged from stealth in late 2022 with $7 million in seed funding. This marks Okta’s first acquisition since it bought identity security firm Spera for $58 million in February 2024.

Axiom complements Okta’s existing strengths in passwordless server access and secrets management by introducing just-in-time access controls and cloud-based control planes. Unlike traditional PAM systems designed for static, on-premises setups, Axiom’s architecture minimizes standing privileges, reinforcing zero trust principles.

With Axiom’s integration, Okta plans to leverage session risk analytics for real-time adjustments. For example, if a developer’s device is compromised, Okta can instantly revoke access, destroy the session, and rotate credentials—ensuring security across sensitive databases and Kubernetes clusters.

Bose emphasized that acquiring Axiom was faster and less risky than building similar capabilities in-house. “Axiom had already solved the technical challenges we faced, with deep connectors and modular components,” he noted. This acquisition strengthens Okta’s mission to deliver dynamic, intelligent, and automated identity security across multi-cloud and hybrid IT environments.