Nicole Hockin’s Post

𝐂𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 Cybersecurity companies and Managed Services companies are challenged by market conditions and forecast less spending due to increased uncertain macroeconomic environment. Splunk laying of 7% of its workforce, Fortinet, ZScaler & Crowdstrike losing substantially at the stock market. "we see increased deal scrutiny and longer sales cycles, which is constraining near-term results", Keith Jensen. As 2/3 of organisations are subject to a hack or data breach, more than 70% of IT managers fear IT systems being breached in the future and the cost of. breach could be 500K due to lost business. So why are the supplies or security solutions and services predicting lower revenues? Is there an underlying problem or did we forecast their business in a too positive manner and is reality more straight forward than we think? It seems that money does not grow on trees and that is the hard reality. https://lnkd.in/e78GnSEG

In today's digital landscape, Software-defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN) offers unparalleled flexibility and cost efficiency. By abstracting network control, SD-WAN facilitates real-time monitoring and analytics across network nodes, ensuring resilient network operations, optimal application performance, and enhanced security measures, pivotal for supporting modern hybrid workforces. #iworkforComcast #SDWAN #Network #Cybersecurity https://lnkd.in/gsMK9iZr

Palo Alto Networks Inc (NYSE:PANW) has perplexed shareholders and analysts by opting to report earnings after the market closes on Friday afternoon.  Companies rarely ever report after the trading week ends. When #PaloAlto announced on August 2 that it was doing exactly that, the #cybersecurity company’s shares tumbled.  There is fear among investors that Palo Alto will deliver poor results and potentially soft fiscal 2024 guidance as well.  That concern was only compounded when Fortinet, a competitor, reported second-quarter results on August 3 that missed on revenue and billing. The company attempted to assuage those concerns, writing in an email to analysts, "While not conventional timing, this is the optimal date given other important company events, including sales kickoff the following week." Analysts expect Palo Alto to report revenue of $1.96 billion and earnings of $1.28 per share.  More at #Proactive #ProactiveInvestors #NYSE #PANW http://ow.ly/52XZ104Rl6g

As Forrester states in its new Zero Trust Platforms report, "Palo Alto Networks makes network and security convergence a no-brainer." Click below to learn more about why they have named us a Leader in The Forrester Wave™: Zero Trust Platforms, Q3 2023 report.

A key part of a comprehensive cyber security strategy is having a business resiliency capability that allows for rapid return to operations in the event of an outage.

Chart of the Day: (02/21/24) CrowdStrike Holdings Inc. Open Position: 2.8% ACB: $300 Last: $323.71 Stop: $271 Palo Alto Networks, a major cyber security company, cut their revenue forecast on Tuesday after market by 2.5%. This is due to a change in their platform strategy, not an industry demand issue. The stock is down -21% in the after market, which seems like a sharp reaction to a < 3% revision. But we own CrowdStrike Holdings Inc. which I view as the cream of the crop in this space. It is the organic platform play that ties dozens of high-value services into one interface & one overarching view of security. That means more effective vendor consolidation & cost cutting compared to others. That's why it's 1 of 1 in terms of its growth, margin and scale.  But, due to the PANW reaction, I think it's likely we will get a sharp enough sell-off in CRWD and ZS on Wednesday for us to add more to this position, depending on broad market conditions. No changes planned and wide ranges expected. Volatility has picked up across sectors and I would not be surprised to see a choppy ride to a low for the indices in March, before the next leg higher for the markets, and our Growth Fund.

IDC Analysts offering complimentary suggestions to CIO's and next steps for CrowdStrike

Interesting statistical nuggets from a Palo Alto report adding to my optimism about the cybersecurity sector, and career prospects for many rattled (understandably) professionals in the space. ▶ The cyber market remains highly fragmented, allowing smaller players to make significant strides. No major player commands more than a 10% share. ▶ Demand for effective cybersecurity solutions will continue to rise with losses from global cybercrimes projected to escalate to $10.5 trillion by 2025, a surge from $8 trillion in 2022. ▶ While in today’s market conditions CFOs are delaying procurement decisions and dividing owed payments, the market continues to expand. Over the past half-decade, the cybersecurity market has surged at an impressive rate of around 14% annually. ▶ A trend of consolidation is being driven by large organizations using an average of 75 distinct cyber protection solutions. ▶ Palo Alto disclosed it evaluates no less than 250 start-ups for acquisition annually. Consolidation via M&A might just be what’s needed to kickstart funding by VCs. Clear line of site to exits. **Data from CTech by Calcalist. Link to source in comments**

Forrester has named Palo Alto Networks as a Leader in The Forrester Wave™: Zero Trust Platforms, Q3 2023 report. Dive in to see the full evaluation of providers, and why we are proud to be a leader. "Palo Alto Networks makes network and security convergence a no-brainer".

Palo Alto Networks earnings Top line and bottom line look good, but lowered the guidance for full-year total billings to $10.1 and $10.2 billion (prior guidance was $10.7 and $10.8 billion). Companies like Netskope, Zscaler, and Palo Alto Networks continue to put emphasis on #ai #cybersecurity #leadership, and a technology partner can help you narrow down your #sase strategy. https://lnkd.in/ggmCgmq8