Cybersecurity firm Netskope raised $908 million in its U.S. initial public offering, pricing its stock at the top of the marketed range at $19 a share, according to a source familiar with the matter. ...

Some AI has been used in real-world cyberattacks. To combat this, a small Israeli startup is running AIs through simulations to test their capacity for malicious hacking. https://t.co/W7ddbVfjZZ (Photo: Irregular) https://t.co/maG6qaSQIG ...

Summary of CrowdStrike 2025 Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: CrowdStrike (NasdaqGS:CRWD) - **Event**: 2025 Conference held on September 17, 2025 Key Industry Insights - **AI Transformation**: The cybersecurity industry is undergoing a significant transformation due to AI, with a rapid increase in the speed and complexity of cyberattacks. The time taken for attacks has decreased from days to seconds, highlighting the urgent need for advanced security measures [5][10][11] - **Cybersecurity Evolution**: The evolution of cybersecurity is marked by three eras: traditional malware, cloud security, and now the AI era. The company emphasizes the need for proactive and real-time threat detection and response [9][10][11] Core Company Strategies - **Single Platform Approach**: CrowdStrike advocates for a single, integrated platform for cybersecurity rather than a disjointed multi-platform approach. This allows for better data management and real-time threat detection [11][12] - **AIDR (AI Detection and Response)**: The introduction of AIDR is aimed at monitoring AI agents and ensuring compliance and security in AI deployments. This is seen as a necessary evolution in cybersecurity as AI agents proliferate [15][16][24] - **Data as a Competitive Advantage**: The company emphasizes the importance of data in driving security outcomes, claiming to have a significant data moat due to extensive telemetry and threat intelligence gathered over years [29][31] Financial Performance and Growth - **Revenue Growth**: CrowdStrike reported a 40% year-over-year growth in net new Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) for the second half of the year. The cloud security business alone is valued at over $700 million, with Next-Gen identity and SIEM showing strong growth rates of 21% and 95%, respectively [32][33] - **Market Opportunity**: The total addressable market (TAM) for CrowdStrike is projected to grow from $140 billion to $300 billion by 2030, driven by the increasing need for AI security solutions [34][42] Customer Engagement and Feedback - **Customer Relationships**: The conference featured testimonials from customers, including Oracle, highlighting the effectiveness of CrowdStrike's solutions in real-world scenarios. Customers reported significant improvements in security posture and operational efficiency after deploying CrowdStrike products [50][62] - **Flex Licensing Model**: The Falcon Flex model has been well-received, allowing customers to scale their usage based on evolving needs rather than being constrained by traditional contract structures [39][62] Emerging Trends and Future Outlook - **Agentic Era**: The emergence of AI agents is expected to create a substantial market opportunity, with estimates suggesting that organizations may have up to 90 AI agents per human employee. This shift necessitates advanced security measures to protect these identities [20][21][42] - **Security AGI**: CrowdStrike aims to lead the development of security AGI (Artificial General Intelligence), which would enhance the capabilities of security operations centers (SOCs) and improve threat detection and response [26][37] Conclusion - CrowdStrike is positioned as a leader in the cybersecurity space, leveraging AI and extensive data to address the evolving threat landscape. The company is focused on innovation, customer engagement, and expanding its market presence as it navigates the challenges and opportunities presented by the AI era [44][45]

Core Insights - VCI Global Limited has announced the rescission of its previously planned acquisition of a 20% equity stake in QuantGold Data Group Limited, leading to the cancellation of associated shares and a more efficient capital base [1][2] Group 1: Acquisition Details - The board of VCI Global determined that the proposed acquisition would not provide optimal value for shareholders, prompting the initiation of formal proceedings to rescind the transaction [2] - The original acquisition framework included a plan to acquire Secure Encryption Storage Limited (SES) for HKD 10 million, but it was found that SES did not possess the expected portfolio of 129 patents, which was a critical component of the transaction [3] - No intellectual property has been transferred or assigned to VCI Global or QuantGold, allowing the company to maintain flexibility in pursuing other strategic technology partnerships [4] Group 2: Strategic Positioning - With the resolution of these matters, VCI Global is positioned to advance its cybersecurity business through its V Gallant distributorship with SES and other technology partners, enabling faster market penetration [5] - The rescission reflects the company's commitment to a disciplined capital structure, especially following a recent reverse split, which will result in a tighter share base and a sharper focus on expanding cybersecurity operations [6] Group 3: Company Overview - VCI Global Limited operates as a cross-sector platform builder, focusing on technology and financial architecture, and aims to develop scalable platforms across various high-growth sectors including artificial intelligence and encrypted data infrastructure [7]

Core Insights - VCI Global Limited has announced the rescission of its previously planned acquisition of a 20% equity stake in QuantGold Data Group Limited, leading to the cancellation of associated shares and a more efficient capital base [1][2] Group 1: Acquisition Details - The board of VCI Global determined that the proposed acquisition would not provide optimal value for shareholders, prompting the initiation of formal proceedings to rescind the transaction [2] - The original acquisition framework included a plan to acquire Secure Encryption Storage Limited (SES) for HKD 10 million, but it was found that SES did not possess the expected portfolio of 129 patents, which was a critical component of the transaction [3] - No intellectual property has been transferred or assigned to VCI Global or QuantGold, allowing the company to maintain flexibility in pursuing other strategic technology partnerships [4] Group 2: Strategic Positioning - With the resolution of these matters, VCI Global is positioned to advance its cybersecurity business through its V Gallant distributorship with SES and other technology partners, enabling faster market penetration [5] - The rescission reflects the company's commitment to a disciplined capital structure, especially following a recent reverse split, which will result in a tighter share base and a sharper focus on expanding cybersecurity operations [6] Group 3: Company Overview - VCI Global Limited operates as a cross-sector platform builder, focusing on technology and financial architecture, and aims to develop scalable platforms across various high-growth sectors including artificial intelligence and encrypted data infrastructure [7]

Core Insights - Fortinet's stock has declined 15.56% year to date, despite strong operational performance and ongoing investments in AI and cloud security initiatives, leading to questions about whether current stock levels represent an opportunity or a value trap [1][7][14] Financial Performance - In Q2 2025, Fortinet reported revenues of $1.63 billion, a 14% year-over-year increase, and billings of $1.78 billion, up 15% [2][7] - Non-GAAP operating margins reached 33%, with gross margins maintained in the 79-81% range, indicating strong operational efficiency [3][7] - The company has raised its full-year 2025 billings guidance to between $7.325 billion and $7.475 billion, suggesting approximately 13% growth at the midpoint [3][7] Strategic Initiatives - Fortinet's focus on AI-powered security solutions is a key differentiator, with over 500 AI-related patents filed and integration of FortiAI technology across its Security Fabric platform [4][5] - The company's strategic pivot towards high-growth segments is reflected in the significant growth of Unified SASE ARR by 22% and Security Operations ARR by 35% year-over-year [2][4] Market Dynamics - The 2025 Fortinet Global Threat Landscape Report indicates a rise in AI-enabled cybercrime, highlighting the need for AI-powered defenses against evolving threats [5] - Fortinet's recognition as a leader in the 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant for SASE Platforms underscores its competitive positioning and potential for sustainable advantages [5] Guidance and Expectations - For fiscal 2025, Fortinet expects revenues between $6.675 billion and $6.825 billion, with non-GAAP earnings per share projected in the range of $2.47-$2.53, reflecting solid growth but a deceleration compared to previous years [6][8] - Service revenues are anticipated to reach $4.550 billion to $4.650 billion in 2025, representing approximately 68% of total revenues, enhancing earnings quality and reducing volatility [8] Competitive Landscape - The cybersecurity sector remains highly competitive, with Fortinet facing pressure from established players like CrowdStrike and Zscaler, which have maintained strong market positions [10][14] - Fortinet's Price-to-Book ratio of 29.64x indicates a significant premium compared to the broader Zacks Security industry average, suggesting limited upside potential at current levels [11][14]

Core Viewpoint - Investors are encouraged to consider CrowdStrike Holdings (CRWD) due to improving earnings estimates and positive stock momentum [1][10] Estimate Revisions - The upward trend in earnings estimate revisions indicates growing analyst optimism regarding CrowdStrike's earnings prospects, which is expected to positively influence its stock price [2] - The Zacks Rank system, which rates stocks from 1 (Strong Buy) to 5 (Strong Sell), has shown that Zacks 1 Ranked stocks have generated an average annual return of +25% since 2008 [3] - There is strong consensus among analysts in raising earnings estimates for CrowdStrike, leading to significantly higher consensus estimates for the next quarter and full year [3] Current-Quarter Estimates - For the current quarter, CrowdStrike is expected to earn $0.94 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of +1.1% [6] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current quarter has increased by 155.09% over the last 30 days, with 12 estimates moving higher and no negative revisions [6] Current-Year Estimates - For the full year, CrowdStrike is projected to earn $3.67 per share, representing a year-over-year decline of -6.6% [7] - The current year's estimate revisions are promising, with 15 estimates moving higher in the past month and a consensus estimate increase of 125.27% [8][7] Zacks Rank - The favorable estimate revisions have resulted in CrowdStrike achieving a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), indicating strong potential for outperformance [9] - Research indicates that stocks with Zacks Rank 1 and 2 significantly outperform the S&P 500 [9] Stock Performance - CrowdStrike shares have increased by 6.3% over the past four weeks, suggesting investor confidence in its earnings growth prospects [10]

Core Insights - CrowdStrike announced Threat AI, the industry's first agentic threat intelligence system designed to automate complex intelligence workflows and enhance outcomes [1] Group 1: Product Announcement - Threat AI is part of CrowdStrike's newly introduced Agentic Security Workforce, which aims to deliver mission-ready agents [1] - The system is designed to reason across threat data, proactively hunt adversaries, and take decisive actions throughout the kill chain [1]

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fal.Con 2025, Las Vegas -- CrowdStrike (NASDAQ: CRWD) today announced Risk-based Patching with Falcon® for IT, accelerating cybersecurity and IT consolidation on the Falcon® platform. With the combination of AI-powered Risk-based Patching and Falcon® Exposure Management, customers can identify, prioritize, and fix the vulnerabilities that matter most through a single console and workflow – accelerating safe, large-scale patching and expanding CrowdStrike's platfo. ...

The venture capital giant, behind cyber giants Wiz and Databricks, notified current and former employees, as well as the firm's limited partners, that their data was stolen in a January cyberattack. https://t.co/hLMy8tpFNX ...