Palo Alto Networks CEO Warns of Enterprise Resistance to Agentic AI Browsers

Palo Alto Networks CEO says the enterprise may not welcome agentic AI browsers

In a Thursday interview with CNBC's Jim Cramer, Palo Alto Networks CEO Nikesh Arora suggested the enterprise may not be comfortable with browsers run by agentic artificial intelligence. "I think unless there are controls built into agentic browsers, which are oriented around credentials and enterprise security, they're not going to be allowed in enterprises in 24 months," Arora said. Arora explained that as a consumer, he likes the idea of an agentic browser -- one that can, for example, perform tasks like booking plane tickets, making reservations or calling Ubers. However, he said that browsers would need "credentials" from users, and so users' "ability and desire to give them autonomy becomes important." He predicted that many major tech companies will start to develop agentic browsers, noting they are already spending billions to create and operate impressive models. But he said agentic browsers are "at odds with the enterprise," as companies would be wary of the AI agents' autonomy. Arora mentioned his company's plans to buy CyberArk, an Israeli identity security provider. The acquisition is worth $25 billion and would be the largest deal the cybersecurity company has ever made. He claimed that a substantial majority of breaches occur because of credential theft. Arora suggested that compared to 15 or 20 years ago, it's now easier for more members of a company to have the credentials to access privileged information -- "the crown jewels" -- which means employees need to be protected equally. "[CyberArk] figured out a way with the lowest intrusion, lowest friction, lowest latency way possible, to figure out a way to manage the crown jewels and manage the access for all of users," Arora said.

Palo Alto Networks CEO Says Enterprises Cautious About Agentic AI | PYMNTS.com

By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. Speaking with CNBC's Jim Cramer, Arora said that while consumers might like to have an agentic browser that can perform tasks for them, enterprises will be wary, CNBC reported. "I think unless there are controls built into agentic browsers, which are oriented around credentials and enterprise security, they're not going to be allowed in enterprises in 24 months," Arora said, per the report. Arora also said there is a growing risk of credential theft and said Palo Alto Networks' planned $25 billion acquisition of cybersecurity company CyberArk will help the company provide a solution that will help enterprises protect their privileged information. Palo Alto Networks announced the acquisition on July 30, saying it expects the transaction to close during its fiscal year 2026, pending regulatory approvals. The deal came amid a resurgence in high-profile cybersecurity mergers and acquisitions that includes Google completing its largest purchase to date when it acquired cloud security firm Wiz for $32 billion. On the day his company announced the acquisition of CyberArk, Arora told CNBC: "They are poised to go and disrupt this market and create the platform we need and also solve the upcoming problem with agentic AI. From all those factors, we believe this is the right time to do something like this and be ready for the market in the next 12 to 18 months." Google announced its acquisition of Wiz in March, saying the cloud security platform would join Google Cloud when the deal becomes final. "This acquisition represents an investment by Google Cloud to accelerate two large and growing trends in the AI era: improved cloud security and the ability to use multiple clouds," Google said at the time in a press release. The PYMNTS Intelligence report "AI at the Crossroads: Agentic Ambitions Meet Operational Realities" found that trust issues keep firms cautious about agentic AI rollouts, as the firms have concerns about accountability and compliance. Eighty percent of high-automation enterprises cited data security and privacy as their top concern with agentic AI, according to the report.