Akamai to Acquire AI and Browser Security Firm LayerX for $205 Million

Cloud computing, security and CDN provider Akamai announced on Thursday that it has agreed to acquire LayerX, a company specializing in AI and browser security, for roughly $205 million in an all-cash deal.  LayerX, which has raised a total of $45 million, has developed a security platform that provides real-time visibility and control over user and agentic activities across browsers, applications, and IDEs. The company’s solutions address AI-related risks through features such as shadow AI discovery, gen-AI data loss prevention, access controls for AI tools, misuse detection, and protection for AI browsers and plugins. LayerX also covers traditional browser security needs like extension management, safe browsing, and secure access. LayerX technology enables Akamai to expand its Zero Trust and application security portfolio with AI usage control capabilities.  LayerX co-founders and employees will join Akamai’s Zero Trust organization. Akamai told SecurityWeek that it will keep the LayerX brand for a short period of time before integrating it into the Akamai brand. The deal, subject to standard closing conditions, is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2026. The LayerX business is projected to reach approximately $10 million in annual recurring revenue by year-end, with the acquisition anticipated to dilute Akamai’s non-GAAP EPS by roughly $0.12 in fiscal 2026. LayerX in recent months reported finding several vulnerabilities, including one exposing AI agents to takeover, as well as attacks involving data-stealing browser extensions.  This is Akamai’s second acquisition in the past year, after it acquired serverless WebAssembly company Fermyon in December 2025. SecurityWeek tracked more than 420 acquisitions in 2025, and a detailed analysis of those deals is available. We have cataloged more than 150 cybersecurity M&A transactions to date in 2026.  *updated to include that it was an all-cash deal and that the LayerX brand will remain for a short period before being integrated into the Akamai brand Related: Cybersecurity M&A Roundup: 33 Deals Announced in April 2026 Related: OpenAI to Acquire AI Security Startup Promptfoo Related: Cybersecurity M&A Roundup: 38 Deals Announced in March 2026 WRITTEN BY Eduard Kovacs Eduard Kovacs (@EduardKovacs) is senior managing editor at SecurityWeek. He worked as a high school IT teacher before starting a career in journalism in 2011. Eduard holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial informatics and a master’s degree in computer techniques applied in electrical engineering. 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