Proofpoint acquires Acuvity to strengthen AI security and governance capabilities

The cybersecurity firm expands its AI-focused portfolio with the acquisition of Acuvity, aiming to enhance visibility, control, and protection across emerging agentic technologies and enterprise AI environments.

Proofpoint has announced the acquisition of Acuvity, a startup specializing in artificial intelligence security and governance. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The move is designed to enhance Proofpoint’s ability to provide visibility and policy enforcement across AI agents and emerging agentic technologies. As enterprises increasingly deploy AI-driven systems, managing risk and ensuring oversight have become critical priorities for security leaders.

Expanding control over agentic environments

Acuvity brings detection models and control mechanisms tailored for modern AI environments. Its platform enables organizations to monitor AI agents operating across endpoints, web browsers, and Model Context Protocol servers. The technology also supports enforcement capabilities, helping enterprises apply governance policies consistently.

In addition, the platform offers visibility into locally installed AI tools, allowing security teams to oversee and regulate how such applications are used within corporate networks. By integrating these capabilities, Proofpoint aims to deliver what it describes as comprehensive protection for the growing “agentic workspace,” where AI agents interact with enterprise systems and data.

Building on recent expansion

The acquisition comes shortly after Proofpoint completed its $1.8 billion purchase of Hornetsecurity in December — the largest deal in the company’s 23-year history. That transaction significantly expanded Proofpoint’s Microsoft 365 security portfolio and strengthened its position in the managed services market.

Chief Executive Officer Sumit Dhawan previously described the Hornetsecurity acquisition as a pivotal step in unlocking new growth opportunities, particularly among managed service providers in the United States.

With the addition of Acuvity, Proofpoint is reinforcing its strategy to address evolving AI-driven security challenges while expanding its governance and compliance offerings for enterprise customers.