Cisco Launches DefenseClaw to Strengthen OpenClaw Security Controls

OpenClaw is an open-source framework for building autonomous AI applications. Because AI agents can access systems, data and tools, they often hold elevated privileges, increasing the risks of malware, unauthorized actions and supply-chain attacks. Cisco has therefore integrated security controls into the deployment process to make enterprise adoption easier.

Cisco unveiled DefenseClaw, an open-source security management tool, at the 2026 RSA Conference. Built on the NVIDIA OpenShell architecture, it is designed specifically for OpenClaw application environments. Its features include pre-installation scanning, runtime threat detection, and blocklist and allowlist management, helping users centrally deploy and maintain security protections.