Core Insights - The Zacks Computer Software industry is positioned to benefit from the global digital transformation, particularly through cloud transition and advancements in AI and machine learning [1][3][4] Industry Overview - The Zacks Computer Software industry encompasses companies providing software applications in AI, cloud computing, digital media, customer relationship management, cybersecurity, and more [2] Trends Influencing the Industry - Increased enterprise spending on AI and cloud computing is expected to drive growth, with a projected 14.2% growth in software by 2025 due to generative AI hardware upgrades [3][4] - The demand for cybersecurity software is rising due to increased cyber threats, leading to a focus on cloud security and performance monitoring tools [5] Macroeconomic Factors - Global macroeconomic challenges and supply chain volatility are concerns, with potential impacts on software pricing and spending, particularly among small and medium-sized businesses [6] Industry Performance - The Zacks Computer Software industry ranks 135, placing it in the bottom 45% of over 246 Zacks industries, indicating dull near-term prospects [7][8] - The industry has underperformed compared to the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector and the S&P 500, declining 2% over the past year while the S&P 500 and sector increased by 10.5% and 10.4%, respectively [9] Valuation Metrics - The industry is currently trading at a forward 12-month P/E ratio of 28.19X, higher than the S&P 500's 20.92X and the sector's 24.25X [11] Company Highlights - **ACI Worldwide (ACIW)**: Expected revenue growth of 10% in 2024, with adjusted EBITDA of $466 million up 18% and cash flow from operations up 113% [14][15] - **Open Text Corporation (OTEX)**: Focused on cloud, security, and AI, with fiscal 2025 earnings projected at $3.86 per share [18] - **Microsoft (MSFT)**: Dominates the PC software market with over 73% market share, fiscal 2025 earnings expected at $13.08 per share, indicating a year-over-year growth of 10.9% [20][22]

Core Insights - Exclusive Networks North America has been designated as an Engage Preferred Services Partner (EPSP) within Fortinet's Engage Partner Program, highlighting its capability in deploying and maintaining comprehensive security solutions for digital acceleration [1][2][3] Company Overview - Exclusive Networks is a global cybersecurity specialist with a presence in over 45 countries, serving customers in more than 170 countries, combining local insights with global scale [6][7] EPSP Partnership Significance - The EPSP status validates Exclusive Networks' expertise in enhancing cybersecurity strategies and driving customer confidence, which is crucial for business growth [2][3] - The partnership provides access to specialized training and direct support from Fortinet experts, enabling Exclusive Networks to develop advanced security services for customers with hybrid network infrastructures [3][4] Program Focus - Fortinet's Engage Partner Program aims to assist partners in addressing new customer challenges arising from work-from-anywhere models and hybrid IT environments, facilitating growth opportunities through its extensive portfolio [4][5] - The program emphasizes the importance of specialized training and support to help partners succeed in a rapidly evolving threat landscape [2][4]

Core Insights - Palo Alto Networks has been named the Official Cybersecurity Partner of the NHL, marking a multiyear partnership focused on enhancing cybersecurity across the League and its arenas [1][2] - The partnership allows Palo Alto Networks to leverage exclusive marketing rights, connecting its brand with NHL fans through various marketing and digital channels [3] Company Overview - Palo Alto Networks is celebrating its 20th anniversary and has been providing cybersecurity solutions to the NHL since 2009, standardizing on next-generation firewalls, cloud security, and AI-powered security operations [2] - The company emphasizes its commitment to innovation in cybersecurity, particularly in areas like AI and digital transformation, which aligns with the NHL's goals [4] Partnership Impact - The partnership is expected to improve the NHL's cybersecurity initiatives, including an increase in the number of threats blocked per month, enhanced security for IoT devices, and reduced mean time to respond (MTTR) to security alerts [4] - By utilizing Palo Alto Networks' advanced solutions, the NHL aims to provide a secure experience for fans and players while navigating the evolving threat landscape [4]

Core Insights - Google's acquisition of Wiz for $32 billion marks its largest acquisition to date and could signal a turning point for the IPO and M&A markets, which have seen a slowdown in activity [2][3] - The cybersecurity sector is increasingly attractive for acquisitions, with CB Insights identifying it as a top target area for 2025 [4] - The rise of artificial intelligence and cloud computing has heightened the demand for advanced cybersecurity solutions, making it a critical focus for companies [5][6] Company Developments - Wiz's acquisition may prompt competitors like Amazon to pursue their own acquisitions to enhance their cybersecurity offerings [6][7] - Companies such as Proofpoint and Illumio are being considered for upcoming IPOs, with Proofpoint previously going private in a $12.3 billion acquisition [8] - Netskope and Snyk are also potential IPO candidates, with Snyk recently valued at $7.4 billion and reporting over $300 million in annual recurring revenues [10] Market Trends - The overall appetite for IPOs and M&A activity is beginning to recover, with several companies planning to go public in the near future [3][7] - Experts anticipate a resurgence in the IPO market in the latter half of the year, despite potential short-term impacts from large acquisitions like Wiz's [7][11] - The ongoing volatility in the market raises questions about the timing of IPOs for various companies [11]

Company Overview - Archipelo has appointed Paul Calatayud as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and Chief Strategy Officer, enhancing its mission in Developer Security Posture Management (DevSPM) [1][6] - The company focuses on securing software at its source, particularly addressing risks associated with developer actions and AI-generated code [6] Industry Trends - AI-powered software development is rapidly increasing, with over 75% of developers utilizing AI-assisted coding tools, but this also introduces new security vulnerabilities, with approximately 40% of AI-generated code containing such risks [2] - Traditional security tools are inadequate as they primarily focus on post-deployment fixes, while DevSPM aims to embed security into the development process from the outset [5] Strategic Positioning - Calatayud's appointment signifies a pivotal moment in cybersecurity, emphasizing the need for proactive security measures in software development amidst rising cyber threats and evolving geopolitical landscapes [3][4] - Archipelo's DevSPM integrates with existing security frameworks, enhancing Application Security Posture Management (ASPM), Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM), and Cloud Native Application Protection Platform (CNAPP) [5] Funding and Market Adoption - Archipelo recently completed a $12 million funding round, indicating strong investor interest and growing adoption of DevSPM among Fortune 500 companies [5]

Core Viewpoint - Alphabet is reportedly nearing a $30 billion acquisition deal for cybersecurity startup Wiz, following a previous $23 billion bid that was rejected last summer [1][2]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition would enhance Alphabet's cloud computing capabilities by integrating Wiz's advanced security features [2]. - If finalized, this deal would mark Google's largest acquisition to date, surpassing the $12.5 billion purchase of Motorola Mobility in 2012 [2]. - Wiz had previously rejected a $23 billion acquisition offer from Google, opting instead to pursue an initial public offering (IPO) [2][3]. Group 2: Company Valuation and Funding - Wiz was valued at $12 billion after securing $1 billion in funding during a May funding round, with plans to utilize the financing for acquisitions and talent development [3]. - The company achieved 100 official integrations within the first year of launching its Wiz Integration platform, allowing independent software vendors to create bi-directional integrations on the Wiz API [4]. Group 3: Regulatory and Security Credentials - Wiz was authorized as a CVE Numbering Authority (CNA) by the Common Vulnerability and Exposure (CVE) Program, enabling it to assign CVEs to vulnerabilities and share cybersecurity vulnerabilities with the public [5]. - The company also received FedRAMP Moderate authorization for its Wiz for Government product, in addition to its StateRAMP authorization and IL4 in-process status [5]. Group 4: Strategic Positioning - Wiz positions itself at the intersection of cloud, AI, and cybersecurity, offering a unified platform to assess and manage risks across various cloud environments and AI security postures [6].

Core Insights - OpenAI's GPT-4 has significant implications for cybersecurity, presenting both opportunities and threats as discussed at the RSA Conference 2023 [1][2] - The potential for increased cyberattacks and code reuse is anticipated due to the capabilities of ChatGPT [2] - Cybersecurity professionals must adapt to the evolving landscape by utilizing AI technology for defense against AI-generated threats [5][6] Group 1: Cybersecurity Threats - ChatGPT can be exploited to create AI-generated phishing scams, posing a new threat to cybersecurity [4] - Hackers may manipulate ChatGPT to generate hacking code, necessitating continuous upskilling for cybersecurity professionals [5] - The dual-use nature of ChatGPT means that both malicious actors and defenders can leverage its capabilities [6] Group 2: Positive Applications in Cybersecurity - Microsoft’s Security Copilot, powered by GPT-4, aids security teams in incident response and threat hunting, enhancing operational efficiency [3] - OpenAI Playground serves as a testing platform for various permutations of OpenAI models, which can be beneficial for cybersecurity applications [2] Group 3: Regulatory and Market Implications - There is a call for stricter regulations on AI usage in cybersecurity, highlighted by the Biden administration's "Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights" [7] - The advent of ChatGPT is expected to drive interest in cybersecurity stocks, with ETFs like HACK, CIBR, IHAK, and WCBR experiencing a decline of 2.9% to 4.4% in the past month [8]

The texts first started arriving on Eric Moyer's phone in February.  They warned him that if he didn't pay his FastTrak lane tolls by February 21, he could face a fine and lose his license.The Virginia Beach resident did what the majority of people do: ignore them. But there was enough hesitation to at least double-check."I knew they were a scam immediately; however, I had to verify my intuition, of course; I accessed my E-ZPass account to ensure, plus I knew that I had not utilized a toll road in recent mo ...

SAN JOSE, Calif, March 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- PayPal Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: PYPL) today announced that Joy Chik has joined the company's Board of Directors. Joy brings more than 26 years of corporate and board experience scaling products, services, and teams on a global level. Joy currently serves as the President of Identity and Network Access at Microsoft and is responsible for leading the company's multi-billion-dollar security business, Microsoft Entra. "PayPal is aiming to radically change commerce ...

Group 1 - Mastercard has partnered with Whistic to launch a new product that combines RiskRecon capabilities with third-party risk management expertise, aiming to improve risk outcomes for organizations [1] - The partnership is expected to enhance Mastercard's value-added services, with net revenues in this segment increasing by 16.8% year over year in 2024 [2] - Whistic's AI-driven security assessments, along with RiskRecon scoring, will provide clients with insights into vendor risk, enabling informed risk management decisions [3] Group 2 - The integration of these services is projected to drive higher revenues through increased adoption of Mastercard's value-added services, with management estimating low-double-digit growth in adjusted net revenues for 2025 [4] - Mastercard's share price has increased by 5.4% year to date, compared to the industry's growth of 8.8%, and currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [5]