Funding/M&A Fortinet Acquires AI Security Company Virtue AI Fortinet will use Virtue AI technology to enhance its AI security portfolio, including for AI models, applications, and agentic systems. By Eduard Kovacs | August 18, 2026 (8:06 AM ET) Flipboard Reddit Whatsapp Whatsapp Email Cybersecurity giant Fortinet on Monday announced the acquisition of AI security company Virtue AI. The enterprise security and governance platform made by Virtue AI provides automated testing, real-time protection, and compliance oversight specifically built for AI models, conversational applications, and autonomous agents. One of the platform’s components conducts automated red-teaming to uncover vulnerabilities using over 100 proprietary attack algorithms across hundreds of attack vectors and risk categories. For autonomous systems, the testing environment simulates dozens of enterprise scenarios to evaluate agent tool usage, system access, and multi-step execution workflows. During live operations, the platform applies real-time runtime guardrails across text, code, audio, video, and image processing. It also actively monitors agents to block unsafe actions before execution, scans generated code and tools for vulnerabilities, and enforces customizable security policies. Fortinet said the acquisition of Virtue AI enables it to enhance its AI security offering, including for models, applications, and agentic systems. Specifically, Fortinet will leverage Virtue’s agentic system red teaming, agent protection and governance, continuous AI validation, and real-time guardrail capabilities. Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading. Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but Fortinet noted that the amount paid was immaterial to its business. Virtue AI raised $30 million in seed and Series A funding in 2025. “AI is fundamentally changing enterprise computing, and security must evolve just as quickly,” said Ken Xie, founder and CEO of Fortinet. “Virtue AI’s technology will advance our vision for continuous AI assurance, helping customers govern and protect AI systems throughout their lifecycle while operating them confidently at enterprise scale.” SecurityWeek’s cybersecurity M&A tracker has cataloged more than 240 deals to date this year. Related : Cyera Acquiring Oasis Security in $1 Billion Deal Related : Cybersecurity M&A Roundup: 21 Deals Announced in July 2026 Related : Bank of America to Acquire Cybersecurity Firm MDSec Related : Okta to Acquire Identity Threat Detection Firm Permiso 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. Daily Briefing Newsletter Subscribe to the SecurityWeek Email Briefing for the latest cybersecurity threats, trends, and expert insights. 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