Okta Introduces Access Control Protocol for AI Agent Interactions

As AI agents become more embedded in enterprise workflows, managing how these tools interact with apps and data is becoming a growing challenge, SiliconANGLE reports. Okta’s new Cross App Access protocol aims to simplify and secure these interactions by shifting access controls from the end user to the identity provider. The result is a more manageable and visible framework for overseeing how AI tools operate across multiple enterprise systems.

The protocol addresses a critical gap: traditional identity standards weren’t built for non-deterministic behavior, where AI agents independently initiate app-to-app communication. Cross App Access introduces centralized, policy-driven governance over these interactions. This allows IT teams to enforce enterprise-wide access controls, reduce token sprawl, and maintain a consistent compliance posture, even as AI agents connect with dozens of applications.

For users, the change means fewer authorization prompts and more seamless AI workflows. Instead of repeatedly logging into and consenting to each integration, AI agents can obtain tokens directly from Okta, which evaluates each request based on enterprise-defined policies. This streamlines interactions while ensuring all access is still governed by the organization’s security controls.

The launch reflects a broader shift: as AI agents take on more tasks, identity and access management systems need to evolve in parallel. With Cross App Access, Okta provides a way to bring structure, visibility, and security to the growing mesh of AI-enabled enterprise interactions, without adding friction for users.