ServiceNow has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Armis, a leading cybersecurity firm, in a $7.75 billion all‑cash transaction that represents one of the largest strategic cybersecurity deals this year. The acquisition, expected to close in the second half of 2026, will significantly expand ServiceNow’s security offerings and deepen protection across the full attack surface — from IT and operational technology (OT) to medical devices and critical infrastructure worldwide.
Armis is known for its cyber exposure management and cyber‑physical security platform, which provides real‑time discovery, asset visibility, threat intelligence, risk prioritization, and automated remediation. Its technology is widely used by enterprises, government organizations, and critical infrastructure operators — with nearly 35% of Fortune 100 and seven of the Fortune 10 companies among its customer base.
ServiceNow says the acquisition will create a unified, end‑to‑end security exposure and operations stack that connects asset discovery, risk insights, prioritization, and automated workflows for remediation — all integrated with ServiceNow’s existing AI‑driven workflow and automation platform. The goal is to enable proactive, autonomous cybersecurity that can see, decide, and act across every part of an organization’s technology estate.
According to internal projections, security remains the top priority for CEOs as businesses accelerate AI adoption and expand their digital footprints — a trend that has increased the scale and sophistication of cyber threats. Industry forecasts suggest worldwide information security spending will grow to approximately $240 billion in 2026, further underlining the critical need for comprehensive exposure management.
Impact on the AI Industry
- Integrating Cybersecurity with AI Governance
For the AI industry, the ServiceNow‑Armis deal highlights a growing recognition that AI expansion heightens cyber risk. As organizations increasingly deploy AI models and agentic systems across business operations, the attack surface widens — encompassing not only traditional IT infrastructure but also cloud services, operational networks, edge devices, and connected medical systems. Integrating Armis’ platform into ServiceNow’s AI Control Tower — which governs and monitors AI adoption enterprise‑wide — could help companies identify vulnerabilities tied to AI systems and mitigate risks before they are exploited.
This enhanced focus on AI‑aware cybersecurity is crucial as AI systems themselves become targets for sophisticated adversaries. ServiceNow’s strategy suggests that future AI adoption will be paired with stronger cybersecurity frameworks, embedding trust and governance directly into autonomous systems rather than treating security as an afterthought.
- Boosting Confidence in AI‑Driven Platforms
Enterprises planning big AI deployments, especially in healthcare, finance, and government, must ensure secure operations. The ServiceNow-Armis platform uses end-to-end security tools to find, assess, and respond to threats. This approach boosts trust in AI solutions. This trust may lead to wider adoption of generative AI and autonomous systems.
Broader Effects on Businesses
Strengthening Security Across Hybrid Environments
Today’s corporate environments are an intricate mix of cloud, on‑premises IT networks, OT systems (such as industrial control systems), and increasingly prevalent Internet of Things (IoT) and medical devices. Each of these layers represents a potential vulnerability, and traditional cybersecurity tools often struggle to provide comprehensive coverage. ServiceNow’s acquisition of Armis aims to break down these silos, giving organizations a unified view of risk across all connected assets while automating response and remediation.
For businesses, this means better visibility into real-time vulnerabilities. It also improves threat prioritization based on risk context. Automated workflows can act without much human intervention. This speeds up incident response and lowers exposure.
Market Opportunity and Competitive Positioning
The acquisition is expected to more than triple ServiceNow’s market opportunity in cybersecurity and risk solutions. It builds on the company’s strength in AI-augmented workflows and automation. For organizations selecting security partners, this expanded platform provides a strong value proposition. It combines workflow automation, AI governance, and proactive threat management in one integrated ecosystem.
Encouraging Investment in Security Posture
Enterprises now face rising demands from regulators and customers to secure sensitive data and critical infrastructure. This makes the need for strong security platforms more important than ever. The deal shows that investment in complete cybersecurity frameworks will keep increasing. These frameworks, especially those protecting hybrid IT, OT, and device networks, will shape procurement choices and strategic IT planning in many industries.
Conclusion
ServiceNow’s acquisition of Armis marks a key shift toward next-generation cybersecurity. This move aligns with the needs of the AI era. By combining asset discovery, risk analysis, automated response, and AI governance, the new platform gives businesses a solid base for secure digital transformation.
For the AI industry, this highlights the need to build security into AI-native platforms from the start. For companies, it’s a chance to boost defenses in complex environments. They can protect vital systems and support wider AI use confidently, a major benefit as digital threats grow.