Palo Alto Networks has bolstered its cybersecurity arsenal with the acquisition of Console, a two-year-old startup that leverages AI agents to streamline routine IT help desk tasks.

The deal, valued at $500 million in cash and stock, marks Palo Alto Networks' seventh acquisition of 2026, according to PitchBook. This latest move comes as Console's valuation soared to $157 million, a testament to the startup's rapid growth since its founding in 2024.

Read More: Unacademy Sold to UpGrad for $206M, About 94% Less Than Peak

Console's agentic functionality will enable

Console's agentic functionality will enable security teams to investigate and resolve alerts using natural language, effectively giving Cortex – Palo Alto Networks' AI-powered threat detection platform – "the arms and legs to deliver autonomous security outcomes across the entire enterprise," said Nikesh Arora, CEO of Palo Alto Networks.

The startup, which counted Ramp, Flock Safety, and Scale AI among its customers, automated tasks such as password resets, granted access to apps like Figma and Miro, and performed routine troubleshooting without direct human involvement. This approach allowed Console to compete with Serval, another ServiceNow challenger that has hit a $1 billion valuation after raising a $75 million Series B round.

Also Read: Andreessen Horowitz Expands Fifth Growth Fund to $8.5 Billion

Console's acquisition leaves Serval as the category-leader-to-watch among startups automating IT service management, according to one investor who spoke to TechCrunch. The deal also highlights Palo Alto Networks' commitment to bolstering its cybersecurity offerings in response to evolving threats.

"This acquisition is a significant step forward for Palo Alto Networks, enabling it to deliver more comprehensive and autonomous security outcomes across the enterprise," said Arora in a statement.