Core Insights - The 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) by Verizon Business indicates a significant rise in cyberattacks, with third-party involvement in breaches doubling to 30% and exploitation of vulnerabilities increasing by 34% [1][2][4] Cybersecurity Threat Landscape - The report analyzed over 22,000 security incidents, including 12,195 confirmed data breaches, identifying credential abuse (22%) and exploitation of vulnerabilities (20%) as the leading initial attack vectors [2][3] - Ransomware attacks have risen by 37% since last year, now present in 44% of breaches, despite a decrease in the median ransom amount paid [7] - The human element remains a significant factor in breaches, with a notable overlap between social engineering and credential abuse [7] Industry-Specific Trends - The report highlights an alarming increase in espionage-motivated attacks within the Manufacturing and Healthcare sectors, alongside persistent threats to the Education, Financial, and Retail industries [3] - Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are disproportionately affected by ransomware, with 88% of breaches involving ransomware targeting these organizations [5] Recommendations for Businesses - The findings emphasize the necessity for businesses to adopt a multi-layered defense strategy, including strong password policies, timely vulnerability patching, and comprehensive security awareness training for employees [3][4] - Companies are urged to take immediate action to strengthen their cybersecurity posture to mitigate risks from evolving cyber threats [4]

Core Insights - The 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) by Verizon Business highlights a significant increase in system intrusions in the Asia-Pacific region, with 80% of data breaches attributed to such attacks, up from 38% the previous year [1][2][3] Key APAC Findings - Malware incidents rose dramatically from 58% to 83% year-over-year in the Asia-Pacific region, with ransomware now accounting for 51% of breaches [2][9] - The report indicates a concerning trend of espionage-motivated attacks particularly affecting the Manufacturing and Healthcare sectors, while the Education, Financial, and Retail industries continue to face persistent threats [6] - The involvement of third parties in breaches has doubled, emphasizing the risks associated with supply chains and partner ecosystems [9] Key Global Findings - The report analyzed over 22,000 security incidents, including 12,195 confirmed data breaches across 139 countries, underscoring the global nature of the cybersecurity threat landscape [2] - The median ransom payment to cybercriminals was reported at US$115,000, which poses a significant financial burden for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) [7] - A notable increase in breaches due to exploitation of vulnerabilities was observed, with a 34% rise, particularly focusing on zero-day exploits targeting perimeter devices and VPNs [9]

Core Insights - Verizon Business's 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) indicates a significant rise in global data breaches, particularly in the EMEA region, where system intrusion breaches have nearly doubled to 53% [1][7] EMEA Findings - In EMEA, 29% of breaches originated from within organizations, contrasting sharply with APAC (1%) and North America (5%) [2] - Despite EMEA having the highest percentage of internal breaches, the number of insider incidents decreased by 41% in 2025 [2] - System intrusion breaches surged to 53%, up from 27% last year [7] - Social engineering, particularly phishing, was involved in 19% of breaches in EMEA [7] - Ransomware attacks increased by 37%, now present in 44% of breaches [7] Global Findings - The report analyzed over 22,000 security incidents, including 12,195 confirmed data breaches [2] - Third-party involvement in breaches doubled to 30% [2] - There was a 34% increase in vulnerability exploitation globally, with a focus on zero-day exploits targeting perimeter devices and VPNs [7] - Human involvement in breaches remains high, with significant overlap between social engineering and credential abuse [7] Sector-Specific Insights - Manufacturing saw a nearly sixfold increase in espionage-motivated breaches, rising to 20% from 3% last year [6] - Retail organizations experienced a 15% increase in cyber incidents, with attackers shifting focus from payment card data to customer credentials and business plans [7] - Healthcare and education sectors are also facing rising espionage threats [6]

Core Insights - The 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) by Verizon Business highlights a significant increase in system intrusions in the Asia-Pacific region, with 80% of data breaches attributed to such attacks, up from 38% the previous year [1][2][3] Key APAC Findings - Malware incidents rose dramatically from 58% to 83% year-over-year in the Asia-Pacific region, with ransomware now accounting for 51% of breaches [2][9] - The report indicates a concerning trend of espionage-motivated attacks particularly affecting the Manufacturing and Healthcare sectors, while the Education, Financial, and Retail industries continue to face persistent threats [6] - The involvement of third parties in breaches has doubled, emphasizing the risks associated with supply chain vulnerabilities [9] Key Global Findings - The report analyzed over 22,000 security incidents, including 12,195 confirmed data breaches across 139 countries, underscoring the global nature of the cyber threat landscape [2] - The median ransom payment to cybercriminals was reported at US$115,000, which poses a significant financial burden for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) [7] - A notable increase in breaches due to exploitation of vulnerabilities was observed, with a 34% rise, particularly targeting zero-day exploits on perimeter devices and VPNs [9] Industry-Specific Trends - The report reveals a rise in espionage-motivated attacks in specific sectors, particularly Manufacturing and Healthcare, while SMBs are disproportionately affected by ransomware, which is present in 88% of breaches [6][8] - The number of organizations that did not pay ransoms increased to 64%, up from 50% two years ago, indicating a shift in response strategies among businesses [8]

Core Insights - The 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) reveals a significant increase in global data breaches, particularly in the EMEA region, where system intrusion breaches have nearly doubled to 53% [1][7] EMEA Findings - EMEA experienced a 53% surge in system intrusion breaches, up from 27% the previous year [7] - 29% of breaches in EMEA originated from within organizations, with 19% due to unintentional mistakes and 8% from misuse [7] - Internal threats in EMEA decreased by 41% in 2025, despite the region having the highest percentage of breaches caused by internal actors [2] - Social engineering, particularly phishing, was the second-most common incident pattern, appearing in 19% of breaches in EMEA [7] - Ransomware attacks rose by 37% since last year, now present in 44% of breaches [7] Global Findings - The report analyzed over 22,000 security incidents, including 12,195 confirmed data breaches [2] - Third-party involvement in breaches doubled to 30% [2] - There was a 34% increase in vulnerability exploitation globally, with a focus on zero-day exploits targeting perimeter devices and VPNs [7] - Manufacturing saw a nearly sixfold increase in espionage-motivated breaches, rising to 20% from 3% [6] - Retail organizations faced a 15% increase in cyber incidents, with attackers shifting focus from payment card data to customer credentials and business plans [7] Recommendations - Organizations are urged to strengthen internal cybersecurity measures, foster a culture of security awareness, and implement robust access controls and zero-trust frameworks [3] - A multi-layered defense strategy is emphasized, including strong password policies, timely patching of vulnerabilities, and comprehensive security awareness training for employees [6]

Core Insights - The 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) reveals a significant increase in global data breaches, particularly in the EMEA region, where system intrusion breaches have nearly doubled to 53% [1][7] - The report analyzed over 22,000 security incidents, including 12,195 confirmed data breaches, highlighting a 34% increase in vulnerability exploitation globally and a doubling of third-party involvement to 30% [2][6] - EMEA shows a high percentage of breaches originating from internal actors at 29%, contrasting sharply with APAC and North America, where internal threats account for only 1% and 5% respectively [2][3] Key EMEA Findings - System intrusion breaches surged to 53%, nearly double last year's rate of 27% [7] - Insider leaks account for 29% of breaches in EMEA, with 19% due to unintentional mistakes and 8% from misuse [7] - Social engineering incidents, particularly phishing, were involved in 19% of breaches in EMEA [7] Key Global Findings - Ransomware attacks increased by 37% since last year, now present in 44% of breaches, despite a decrease in the median ransom amount paid [7] - The manufacturing sector experienced a nearly sixfold increase in espionage-motivated breaches, rising to 20% from just 3% last year [6][7] - Human involvement in breaches remains high, with significant overlap between social engineering and credential abuse [7]

Core Insights - Zscaler and Check Point Software are both significant players in the cybersecurity industry, with Zscaler focusing on cloud-based solutions and Check Point transitioning from on-premises to cloud options [1][9] Industry Overview - The cybersecurity market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.63%, with a robust CAGR of 9.4% projected from 2025 to 2030, driven by increasing cyberattacks [2] Zscaler Analysis - Zscaler offers a comprehensive range of enterprise network security solutions, including web security, antivirus, and firewalls, and is well-positioned to benefit from the demand for privileged access security [4][5] - The company has seen a significant increase in sales and marketing (S&M) and research and development (R&D) expenses, which have both been in double digits, impacting near-term profitability [6][7] - Zscaler's fiscal 2026 earnings are estimated at $3.08, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 3.5% [7][8] Check Point Analysis - Check Point provides a variety of software and hardware solutions for IT infrastructure security, with a focus on cloud solutions and subscription-based models that ensure stable recurring revenues [9][10][11] - The company reported security subscription revenues of $292.2 million in Q4 2024, marking a 9.9% year-over-year increase, with 2025 earnings projected at $9.95, indicating an 8.6% growth [11][12] Stock Performance and Valuation - Over the past year, Check Point's stock has increased by 28.9%, while Zscaler's shares have returned 9.5% [13] - Check Point trades at a forward sales multiple of 8.28X, significantly lower than the Zacks Security industry's average of 12.53X, while Zscaler trades at 9.91X, making Check Point's valuation more attractive [14] Conclusion - Check Point is gaining traction with its Quantum Force, Harmony Email, and Infinity platforms, while Zscaler faces challenges from rising operational costs and declining profit margins. Check Point holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), making it a stronger investment option compared to Zscaler, which has a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) [16]

Core Insights - Mobilicom Limited has received its sixth commercial scale follow-on order for its SkyHopper PRO datalinks from a Tier-1 U.S. drone manufacturer, indicating strong demand and ongoing growth in the defense sector [1][2] - The company reported a 45% increase in year-over-year revenues in 2024, attributed to a growing number of orders from global Tier-1 customers [3] - SkyHopper PRO is recognized for its superior performance in size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) and complies with U.S. National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) standards [4] Company Overview - Mobilicom is a leading provider of cybersecurity and robust solutions for the defense and commercial drones and robotics market, with a diverse portfolio of technologies [5] - The company has established a strong presence with over 50 customers, including major drone manufacturers, and its solutions are utilized in mission-critical applications [5] Product Details - SkyHopper PRO is a Secured Cognitive Software Defined Radio (SDR) designed for harsh environments, showcasing combat-proven performance [4] - The product was selected over four competitors after extensive field testing, highlighting its competitive edge in the market [2]

Core Viewpoint - Verizon Communications Inc. is set to report its first-quarter 2025 earnings on April 22, with sales and earnings estimates at $33 billion and $1.15 per share respectively, showing slight improvements in earnings estimates for 2025 and stability for 2026 [1] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Q1 earnings is $1.15 per share, unchanged from the previous week, with a slight increase from $1.14 per share 30 days ago [2] - The earnings surprise history shows Verizon has exceeded expectations in the last four quarters, with an average surprise of 1.33% [2][3] Revenue Projections - The Consumer segment revenue is estimated at $25.35 billion, while the Business segment is projected at $7.36 billion [7][9] - Verizon's introduction of bundled internet plans and partnerships with companies like Banco Santander and Honeywell are expected to drive revenue growth [5][6][9] Strategic Initiatives - Verizon launched a converged offering for home and mobile internet customers, providing discounts and priority support, which is anticipated to generate incremental revenues [5] - The company has enhanced its cybersecurity measures and introduced AI-powered solutions for small businesses, indicating a focus on improving customer interactions and security [8][7] Market Position and Valuation - Over the past year, Verizon's stock has increased by 12.7%, underperforming compared to the industry growth of 44.2% [11] - The company's price/earnings ratio stands at 9.28, lower than the industry average of 14.13, suggesting a relatively attractive valuation [14] Growth Drivers - Verizon's investment in fiber infrastructure and 5G Ultra-Wideband network expansion are key growth drivers, supporting AI systems and enhancing service quality [15][16] - The Complete Business Bundle solutions are gaining traction, indicating a positive response to the company's offerings [16] Competitive Landscape - Verizon faces challenges from competitors like T-Mobile and AT&T, as well as macroeconomic pressures impacting its wireline business [10][18] - The company's strategy of promotional activities to attract customers is creating margin pressures, highlighting the competitive nature of the industry [17]

Group 1: US Receivable Purchase Program (RPP) - VersaBank has entered into an agreement with its second US RPP partner, aiming to leverage its innovative RPP to fund loan and lease originations [1] - The US RPP portfolio has surpassed US$70 million (approximately CAD$100 million) in assets within 75 days of adding the first partner, with a target of US$290 million in fiscal 2025 [2][3] - The company expects to add more RPP partners, driven by favorable market conditions as alternative funding costs rise [3] Group 2: Financial Performance and Net Interest Margin - VersaBank's net interest margin (NIM) has expanded significantly in the first two months of the second quarter of fiscal 2025, influenced by factors such as the normalization of the yield curve and the replacement of higher interest rate term deposits [4] - The addition of higher margin US RPP assets is also contributing positively to the NIM [4] Group 3: CMHC-Insured Loans - The bank is on track to reach its target of $1 billion in commitments for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)-insured loans by the end of fiscal 2025, with commitments exceeding $730 million as of April 15, 2025 [6] - CMHC-insured loans are zero risk-weighted, requiring no risk-weighted capital, thus generating an attractive spread that contributes favorably to the credit asset net interest margin [6] Group 4: Expansion of Deposit Broker Network - VersaBank has expanded its deposit broker network by adding BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., which is expected to further enhance the bank's NIM in fiscal 2025 [5] Group 5: Overview of VersaBank - VersaBank operates a branchless, digital, business-to-business model, utilizing proprietary technology to address underserved segments of the banking industry [9] - The bank launched its Receivable Purchase Program in the US market, which has been successful in Canada for nearly 15 years [9]