In a strategic move to bolster its Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) offerings, Cato Networks has announced the acquisition of Aim Security, a company specializing in AI security solutions. This acquisition marks Cato’s first and signifies a significant step toward integrating advanced AI security capabilities into its existing platform.
Background on Aim Security
Established in 2022, Aim Security focuses on assisting organizations in the secure deployment of generative AI tools. The company emerged from stealth mode in January 2024, backed by a $10 million seed funding round. By June 2025, Aim had secured an additional $18 million in funding, reflecting strong investor confidence in its mission and technology.
Strategic Implications of the Acquisition
The integration of Aim Security into Cato Networks is poised to expand the Cato SASE Cloud Platform’s capabilities, particularly in facilitating secure enterprise adoption of AI agents and applications. Aim’s security solutions address three critical areas:
1. Securing Employee Use of Public AI Applications: Ensuring that employees can safely utilize public AI tools without compromising organizational security.
2. Securing Private AI Applications and AI Agents: Protecting internally developed AI applications and agents from potential threats and vulnerabilities.
3. Securing the Agentic AI Development Lifecycle: Safeguarding the entire development process of AI agents to prevent security breaches from inception to deployment.
Shlomo Kramer, CEO and co-founder of Cato Networks, emphasized the transformative potential of AI in the enterprise sector, stating, AI transformation will eclipse digital transformation as the main force that will shape enterprises over the next decade. He further highlighted that the acquisition of Aim Security will turbo-charge our SASE platform with advanced AI security capabilities to secure our customers’ journey into the new and exciting AI era.
Notable Contributions by Aim Security
Aim Security has been at the forefront of AI security research. Notably, the company’s research team identified the first reported zero-click AI vulnerability in Microsoft 365 Copilot, termed EchoLeak (CVE-2025-32711). This discovery underscores Aim’s expertise and proactive approach in identifying and mitigating AI-related security threats.
Leadership and Expertise
Aim Security was founded by Matan Getz (CEO) and Adir Gruss (CTO), both veterans of the Israel Defense Forces’ intelligence Unit 8200. Their experience includes developing and securing AI systems, notably leading a significant data science defensive AI project within the unit. Their leadership is expected to bring valuable insights and expertise to Cato Networks as it integrates Aim’s technologies and approaches.
Future Integration Plans
Cato Networks has indicated that existing customers with immediate AI security needs can deploy Aim’s solutions effective immediately. The company plans to offer Aim’s capabilities as an integral part of the Cato SASE Cloud Platform by early 2026. This phased integration aims to provide customers with enhanced security measures tailored to the evolving landscape of AI applications in enterprise environments.
Broader Context: Cato Networks’ Growth and Market Position
The acquisition of Aim Security aligns with Cato Networks’ broader strategy of expanding its SASE offerings and solidifying its position in the market. Over the past few years, Cato has demonstrated significant growth and investment in its platform:
– Series E Funding (November 2020): Cato raised $130 million, led by Lightspeed Venture Partners, valuing the company at over $1 billion. This funding was aimed at enhancing the company’s cloud-native SASE platform, which integrates networking and security into a unified solution.
– Series F Funding (October 2021): The company secured an additional $200 million, bringing its valuation to $2.5 billion. This round was intended to fuel sales, technology advancements, and overall business growth.
– Series G Funding (September 2023): Cato announced a $238 million equity investment, elevating its valuation to over $3 billion. The funds were earmarked for expanding the customer base, enhancing the partner ecosystem, and growing the engineering and product teams.
– Series H Funding (June 2025): Most recently, Cato raised $359 million, increasing its valuation to more than $4.8 billion. This funding is set to expand the platform’s AI security capabilities, accelerate innovation across multiple security domains, and broaden market presence.
These successive funding rounds underscore Cato Networks’ commitment to continuous innovation and its confidence in the growing demand for comprehensive SASE solutions.
The Evolving SASE Landscape
The SASE market has been experiencing rapid growth, driven by the increasing need for integrated networking and security solutions that support modern enterprise architectures. Gartner estimates that the SASE market will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 26%, reaching $28.5 billion by 2028. This growth is fueled by the widespread adoption of cloud services, remote work, and the need for secure, scalable, and flexible network infrastructures.
Cato Networks’ proactive approach, exemplified by the acquisition of Aim Security, positions the company to capitalize on this growth by offering a more robust and secure platform that addresses the complexities of modern enterprise networks.
Conclusion
The acquisition of Aim Security by Cato Networks represents a strategic enhancement of Cato’s SASE platform, integrating advanced AI security capabilities to meet the evolving needs of enterprises. By addressing critical areas such as the secure use of public and private AI applications and the protection of the AI development lifecycle, Cato is poised to offer a comprehensive solution that aligns with the future trajectory of enterprise technology adoption. As AI continues to reshape the business landscape, Cato Networks’ investment in AI security underscores its commitment to providing secure, innovative, and scalable solutions for its customers.
