Akamai to acquire LayerX for USD 205 million to master AI usage control

As enterprises race to adopt Generative AI, a critical security gap has emerged: the browser. Today’s workforce engages with SaaS AI applications and autonomous agents primarily through their browser, often bypassing existing infrastructure-level controls. To address this "urgent priority," Akamai Technologies has announced a definitive agreement to acquire LayerX for approximately USD 205 million.

Browser-native control over "Shadow AI"

Unlike proprietary enterprise browsers that force users to migrate to a new environment, LayerX supports popular commercial browsers, including emerging agentic browsers like Atlas and Comet. This allows security teams to gain real-time visibility into interactions without creating workforce friction or requiring infrastructure changes.

Key capabilities include monitoring and controlling:

• AI Prompts: Preventing the accidental sharing of sensitive data with LLMs.

• File Uploads: Governing how data moves into SaaS AI solutions.

• Web Content: Securing interactions with dynamic, AI-generated pages.

Expanding the zero trust portfolio

The acquisition is a strategic evolution of Akamai’s Zero Trust security portfolio. By integrating LayerX technology, Akamai now offers a comprehensive control layer that spans the user (browser), the application (runtime protection), and the infrastructure (workload-level segmentation).

“Our customers... are telling us the same thing: Their existing controls cannot see how employees are interacting with AI tools,” said Mani Sundaram, EVP and GM of Akamai’s Security Technology Group. “The acquisition of LayerX helps close that gap... so enterprises can move at AI speed without compromising safety.”

Financial and strategic outlook

The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026. While the deal is anticipated to be dilutive to Akamai’s non-GAAP EPS by roughly USD 0.12 for fiscal year 2026, LayerX is projected to contribute annual recurring revenue (ARR) of approximately USD 10 million by year-end.

Strategically, this marks Akamai’s fourth Tel Aviv-based cybersecurity acquisition in five years, further cementing its research and development hub in Israel. LayerX co-founders Or Eshed and David Vaisbrud will join Akamai’s Zero Trust organisation following the close.

Conclusion

By moving security to the point of use, the browser, Akamai is addressing the defining challenge of the 2026 enterprise: securing both human and agentic AI usage. This acquisition ensures that "Shadow AI" adoption doesn't become a "Shadow Risk" for global organisations.

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