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You may think the time is right to move into cybersecurity stocks amid high profile hacking incidents. Also, buzz surrounding artificial intelligence is driving investor interest in cybersecurity stocks. And, federal government spending on cybersecurity should provide a boost in 2024, analysts say.
The big picture: cybersecurity services delivered via cloud computing platforms are in favor. Many companies are moving away from on-premise computer network “firewall” appliances.
As of Jan. 29, the IBD Computer Software-Security group ranked No. 2 out of 197 industry groups that IBD tracks. Three cybersecurity stocks are members of the IBD 50 roster of growth stocks: CrowdStrike (CRWD), Zscaler (ZS)and SentinelOne (S).
Zscaler, a big player in the fast-growing SASE market, has dropped off the IBD Leaderboard. After strong runs in 2023, both CRWD stock and Palo Alto Networks (PANW) are off to a good start this year. Both companies aim to upgrade security operations centers with artificial intelligence. PANW stock has climbed 16% in 2024.
Check Point Software Technologies (CHKP), Fortinet (FTNT) and Tenable Holdings (TENB) kick off earnings for cybersecurity stocks on Feb. 6. Tenable announced a $100 million buyback for TENB stock in November.
Cloudflare (NET) reports fourth quarter earnings on Feb. 8. NET stock jumped 84 in 2023%. Cloudflare was recently featured as an IBD Stock of the Day. CyberArk (CYBR) reports earnings Feb. 8 as well.
The cybersecurity stocks have thrived despite growing competition from cloud computing giant Microsoft (MSFT). Microsoft aims to integrate artificial intelligence tools into its security platform. Called Microsoft Security Copilot, the platform uses a new AI assistant.
The recent hacks on casino operators MGM Resorts (MGM) and Caesars Entertainment (CZR) underlined worries that generative AI will increase ransomware attacks.
Meanwhile, the Securities and Exchange Commission has new disclosure rules for public companies. The rules require companies to report hacking incidents within four business days if they have a material impact on operations.
Further, research firm Gartner has updated its forecast for corporate spending on cybersecurity. The research firm sees a 14% rise in 2024 to $215 billion.
That’s up from its earlier forecast for 11% growth. And, that’s better than most information-technology spending categories.
In 2024, spending on cloud security products and services will jump nearly 25% to $7 billion, Gartner predicts.
Meanwhile, both computer security firms and hackers are expected to make use of generative AI tools. Here’s a look at the AI cybersecurity battle.
Cybersecurity firms expect generative AI tools to help reduce the time to detect and respond to many forms of computer hacking. Also, they see generative AI automating more functions in security operations centers to help companies deal with a shortage of software engineers.
In 2024, gen AI will likely take a step forward, Crowdstrike Chief Executive George Kurtz said in an interview.
“I think we’re going to see the maturation and adoption of generative AI,” Kurtz told IBD. “With Charlotte AI, we’re focused on driving (security center) automation, turning the eight hour work of a security analyst into 10 minutes. That the ROI (return on investment) for companies that will start to see benefits in 2024.”
According to a Morgan Stanley survey of chief information officers in 2022, cloud computing and security software remained at the top of priority lists, followed by business intelligence/analytics, digital transformation and artificial intelligence.
Analysts say a new wave of startups is taking share from industry incumbents. They include Netskope, Wiz, Snyk, Lacework and Illumio. Analysts say others to watch include Vectra AI, Venafi, Recorded Future, Noname Security, Obsidian Security, Deep Instinct and Skyflow. The startups pressure incumbents into higher research and development spending.
Funding continues to go to cybersecurity startups. Cloud security firm Wiz recently raised $300 million at a $10 billion valuation.
Private-equity firms remain active. Thoma Bravo in October 2022 agreed to buy ForgeRock for $23.25 a share in an all-cash deal valued at about $2.3 billion. The deal represented a 53% premium to ForgeRock’s closing share price on Oct. 10. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2023.
Earlier, Thoma Bravo acquired Ping Identity Holdings (PING) for $2.8 billion. Thoma Bravo also has acquired cybersecurity firms SailPoint Technology, Proofpoint, Sophos and Barracuda. The private equity firm has invested in cybersecurity startups, such as Illumio.
Also, private-equity firm Permira in May completed its purchase of Mimecast for $5.8 billion.
Google-parent Alphabet (GOOGL) last year acquired cybersecurity firm Mandiant in an all-cash $5.4 billion deal. Mandiant is now part of Google’s cloud computing business.
Further, Google in 2022 acquired Siemplify, a security orchestration, automation and response provider, for around $500 million.
Still, some computer security firms could get a boost from new federal government initiatives.
The Cyber Incident Reporting Act of 2023 requires agencies, federal contractors and critical infrastructure operators to notify the Department of Homeland Security when a data breach is detected, a significant step in building security.
In addition, Ransomware remains a big threat.
Further, it behooves an investor to know which cybersecurity stocks address ransomware, phishing or other kinds of cyberattacks.
Meanwhile, CrowdStrike uses machine learning and a specialized database to detect malware on laptops, mobile phones and other devices that access corporate networks. In addition, many software companies are using artificial intelligence to get a competitive edge.
In addition, Zscaler is the biggest provider of cloud-based web security gateways that inspect customers’ data traffic for malware.
SailPoint, an identity management software maker, is among companies that garner more than 10% of revenue from government agencies.
Other cybersecurity firms with a sizable government business include Tenable, Rapid7 and CyberArk (CYBR). Tenable in 2021 acquired France-based Alsid, which focuses on identity access management.
In addition, Rapid7 (RPD) and Qualys (QLYS) specialize in vulnerability management services.
Amid the rapid global spread of Covid-19, many companies instructed employees to work from home. That has increased demand for computer security products that support remote work.
The coronavirus emergency and shift to remote work has accelerated the growth of cloud-based network security. So the industry now has a new term for the infrastructure that supports distributed workers and branch offices.
Corporate America has hiked tech spending on security aiming to protect intellectual property as well as consumer privacy. Hackers continue to steal credit card data and intellectual property.
Spending on security technologies has evolved as companies shift business workloads to cloud computing service providers. Amazon Web Services, part of Amazon.com (AMZN), is the biggest cloud services firm. Amazon looms as a potential rival to companies like Cloudflare as it builds more security tools into its cloud services.
Also, Fortinet competes with Palo Alto Networks and others in the firewall security market. Firewalls reside between private networks and the internet. They block unauthorized traffic and check web applications for malware.
As large companies shift to off-premise cloud computing services, one view is that firewall technology will play a lesser role. Fortinet has targeted software-defined wide area networks, or SD-WANs, an emerging computer networking technology.
Aiming to catch-up in SD-WAN technology, Palo Alto Networks acquired startup CloudGenix.
Further, cybersecurity stocks span a wide-range of products and services. In addition, some security vendors are shifting to software-based subscription business models from selling hardware appliances. Among them, Proofpoint specializes in email and data-loss protection.
Meanwhile, hackers often aim to compromise networks by targeting employees or management who have administrative access. CyberArk manages privileged accounts. In addition, Okta provides identity verification services.
To slow down hackers, more companies are focusing on internal security threats though a strategy known as Zero Trust. In addition, traditional security measures aim to keep the bad guys out of corporate networks. Further, network firewalls focus on intruders from the public internet.
Zero Trust cybersecurity models focus on internal threats, such as hackers stealing someone’s security credentials. Security firms verify the identity of network users and limit access to applications.
CrowdStrike, Okta, Netskope and Proofpoint recently formed a Zero Trust alliance. Targeting Zero Trust security, Cisco Systems (CSCO) in 2018 acquired Duo Security for $2.35 billion.
Also, many fast-growing cybersecurity firms are in the endpoint market. Their tools detect malware on laptops, mobile phones and other devices that access corporate networks.
Also, investors might consider the Global X Cybersecurity ETF (BUG) for a more broad exposure to the sector.
Follow Reinhardt Krause on Twitter @reinhardtk_tech for updates on 5G wireless, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and cloud computing.
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