Latest news with #CortexXSIAM
Yahoo
25-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Okta (OKTA) Strengthens Cybersecurity Stack Through New Palo Alto Integration
Okta, Inc. (NASDAQ:OKTA) is one of the best SaaS stocks to buy according to analysts. Okta, Inc. (NASDAQ:OKTA) announced new integrations with Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:PANW) aimed at improving enterprise cybersecurity by unifying identity access and threat detection. The collaboration brings Okta's Workforce Identity platform into tighter alignment with Palo Alto's secure browser and threat operations tools, helping organizations enforce stricter access controls and respond faster to potential risks. A mobile application developer programming on a tablet, illustrating the power of the company's adaptive multi-factor authentication. As part of the update, Okta's platform now supports access to single sign-on applications exclusively through Palo Alto Networks' Prisma Access Browser. This setup ensures that employees connect to sensitive workplace tools only from verified and secure environments, reducing exposure to phishing, credential theft, and session hijacking. In parallel, Okta is linking its Identity Threat Protection system, powered by behavioral analytics and AI, with Palo Alto's Cortex XSIAM, a security operations platform that aggregates and analyzes threat signals. This integration gives security teams a more complete view of user behavior and identity-related threats, helping prioritize and automate incident response. For Okta, these updates reflect a broader push to move beyond access management and become a key player in holistic cybersecurity strategies. As enterprises face rising pressures from sophisticated attacks, partnerships like this signal a shift toward collaborative, layered defense models. While Okta's stock has seen uneven performance over the past year, ongoing product evolution and strategic alignment with major security vendors may bolster its long-term position in the identity and access management space. While we acknowledge the potential of OKTA as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: Top 10 Healthcare AI Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds and 10 Best Industrial Automation Stocks to Buy for the Next Decade Disclosure: None. Sign in to access your portfolio
Globe and Mail
17-07-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Okta Emphasizes AI-Driven Security: Can PANW Advance Its Lead?
Okta OKTA is stepping up its efforts in identity protection by putting artificial intelligence (AI) at the center of its security strategy. The company's Identity Threat Protection with Okta AI advanced features enables customers to detect and respond to identity-based threats in real time and prevent damage before it occurs. This AI approach supports Okta's growing portfolio, which includes Identity Governance, Privileged Access, Fine-Grained Authorization, Device Access and Identity Security Posture Management. The company is also expanding its security tools to protect non-human identities like service accounts and bots, which is a growing concern in today's cloud and AI environments. This all fits into a larger zero-trust model, where no user or device is trusted by default. A major boost to this AI-driven vision comes from Okta's new partnership with Palo Alto Networks PANW. This integration creates a unified security architecture that allows organizations to automate threat detection and response, secure application access across any device and streamline identity workflows without compromising security. Through this collaboration, Okta's threat detection is now integrated into Palo Alto's powerful security platforms — Cortex XSIAM and XDR — creating a comprehensive response to the most advanced attacks. With nearly 2,000 shared customers, Okta and Palo Alto Networks are joining forces to make security tools work better together. Their partnership helps businesses automate protection, simplify operations and adopt AI faster. Okta Faces Rising Pressure in IAM Space Okta is facing significant competition from CyberArk Software CYBR and Microsoft MSFT in the identity and access management (IAM) domain. CyberArk leads the Privileged Access Management space, strengthened by its Zilla Security and Venafi acquisitions, expanding into Identity Governance and machine identity protection. In the first quarter of 2025, the company posted 43% revenue growth and improved margins, driven by the company's robust dominance in identity security. CyberArk's continuous investments in its product suite and go-to-market are noteworthy. Microsoft's Entra ID poses a significant challenge with its fully integrated Identity and Access Management platform. Serving over 900 million monthly active users, the company offers advanced tools like Single Sign-On, Multi-Factor Authentication, Conditional Access and Identity Protection. Microsoft delivers these capabilities at scalable levels, from free to P2, supported by centralized control and global reach, reinforcing its dominance in secure identity solutions. OKTA's Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates Shares of Okta have appreciated 18.8% year to date compared with the Zacks Security industry's return of 15.6%. OKTA's YTD Price Return Performance From a valuation perspective, Okta, trading at a forward Price/Cash Flow ratio of 21.44, is slightly lower than the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector's 21.7X. OKTA has a Value Score of D. OKTA Forward 12-Month Price/CF Ratio Image Source: Zacks Investment Research The Zacks Consensus Estimate for OKTA's second-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings is pegged at 84 cents per share, unchanged over the past 30 days, indicating 16.67% year-over-year growth. The consensus mark for fiscal 2026 earnings is pegged at $3.28 per share, unchanged over the past 30 days. The earnings figure suggests 16.73% growth over the figure reported in fiscal 2025. OKTA stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Zacks' Research Chief Picks Stock Most Likely to "At Least Double" Our experts have revealed their Top 5 recommendations with money-doubling potential – and Director of Research Sheraz Mian believes one is superior to the others. Of course, all our picks aren't winners but this one could far surpass earlier recommendations like Hims & Hers Health, which shot up +209%. See Our Top Stock to Double (Plus 4 Runners Up) >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Microsoft Corporation (MSFT): Free Stock Analysis Report Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (PANW): Free Stock Analysis Report CyberArk Software Ltd. (CYBR): Free Stock Analysis Report Okta, Inc. (OKTA): Free Stock Analysis Report
Techday NZ
15-07-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
Okta & Palo Alto Networks expand AI security integrations
Palo Alto Networks and Okta have announced the expansion of their partnership with new integrations designed to create a unified security architecture that improves identity-based defences across enterprise environments. The collaboration focuses on improving the interoperability of both companies' AI-driven security solutions, making it possible for organisations to integrate identity into their core security infrastructure. This aims to create a real-time, unified defence system that addresses operational challenges, while also delivering efficiencies in both cost and complexity. New integrations A key feature of the expanded partnership is a new native integration between Okta Workforce Identity and the Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access Browser. This enables enterprises to enforce conditional access controls by restricting access to single sign-on (SSO) applications solely through the secure browser option. Another central component is an integration between Identity Threat Protection with Okta AI and Palo Alto Networks' Cortex SecOps platform. This provides organisations with a consolidated view of identity-related risks spanning their digital footprint. The integration extends to both Cortex XSIAM and Cortex XDR, providing a mechanism for thorough response to sophisticated attacks. AI is supercharging attacks on user credentials, requiring a 'fight AI with AI' approach that brings identity directly into an organisation's security infrastructure for a real-time and unified response. With Palo Alto Networks, Okta is proud to enhance the interoperability of our AI-powered platforms to prevent risks of siloed tools, providing nearly 2000 joint customers with a comprehensive view of their security posture, context-aware access controls, and secure authentication to stay ahead of today's threats. This was stated by Stephen Lee, Vice President of Technology Partnerships at Okta. Identity plays a critical role in cybersecurity. Our deep integrations with Okta ensure that our solutions are engineered to work together, making it easier for our customers to achieve higher levels of security and user experience. These new integrations, from securing application access with Prisma Access Browser to providing unified protection against identity threats through our Cortex platform, empower organisations with comprehensive, AI-driven defence. This comment was provided by Pam Cyr, Vice President of Technical Partnerships at Palo Alto Networks. Operational benefits The companies report that the two new integrations offer a route for joint customers to secure their operations while reducing both operational costs and technological complexity. The integration of Okta Workforce Identity and Prisma Access Browser, for example, enables employees to securely access corporate web applications and data from both managed and unmanaged devices. This occurs without compromising enterprise security and is intended to provide a consistent, secure, and efficient experience for users while giving security teams improved oversight and control of web application usage. Further, the integration of Okta's Identity Threat Protection solution with Cortex XSIAM and Cortex XDR platforms enables dynamic enforcement of extra authentication steps in response to risky access and user activity. The system can trigger automated responses to security incidents, such as revoking user access, ending active sessions, or quarantining affected endpoints. Industry context The partnership's developments are in response to an evolving threat landscape, where attacks are increasingly sophisticated and require rapid, coordinated responses across security and identity systems. "CISOs are clear: to move at pace with the threat landscape, security teams need integrated platforms, not just more solutions. With the rapid adoption of cloud services, SaaS applications, remote work, and now the advent of AI, organisations are being challenged by added complexity and gaps in security tools. By unifying their offerings, Okta and Palo Alto Networks are helping customers streamline operations, reduce complexity, and improve coverage of the attack surface," Maxine Holt, Vice President, Enterprise & Channel Research at Omdia, stated. The partnership between Okta and Palo Alto Networks is focused on helping organisations meet current security challenges by consolidating identity-driven defences and reducing technology silos in enterprise security environments.
Globe and Mail
11-07-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Can AI-Driven Platform Momentum Keep Aiding PANW's FCF Growth?
Palo Alto Networks PANW continues to ride strong momentum from its AI-driven platform strategy, which is playing a key role in boosting its free cash flow (FCF). In the third quarter of fiscal 2025, its adjusted FCF increased 13.5% sequentially to $578.4 million, while FCF margin expanded 270 basis points to 25.3%. This strength is driven by the rising adoption of its artificial intelligence (AI) integrated platforms like Cortex XSIAM and Prisma. AI is increasingly embedded into Palo Alto Networks' offerings, which is helping it win multi-product deals. In the last reported quarter, the company added more than 90 new platformized deals. This included two multi-million-dollar deals worth $90 million and $46 million for its Cortex XSIAM. Also, Palo Alto Networks recently launched Prisma AI-Ready Security (Prisma AIRS), which aims to protect AI models from build to deployment across hybrid and multi-cloud setups. Just weeks after launch, Prisma AIRS has already built an eight-figure sales pipeline. As customers consolidate their security needs on Palo Alto Networks' platforms, the company gains scale benefits and cost efficiencies. Multi-platform customers grew nearly 70% year over year, while those using Cortex tripled in the third quarter. Moreover, XSIAM's annual recurring revenues increased 200% year over year, and with AI infrastructure spending projected to exceed $300 billion in the next 12 months, PANW is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend. Additionally, PANW's shift to annual billing and a subscription-heavy model provides more predictability about revenues and FCF. During its third-quarter earnings call, the company stated that about 80% of expected fourth-quarter collections have already been booked, which reflects visibility into near-term FCF. Looking ahead, Palo Alto Networks forecasts $15 billion in annual recurring revenues by fiscal 2030. With 1,250 of its top 5,000 customers already on platformized deals and AI adoption accelerating, PANW's FCF profile looks increasingly durable. The company expects to generate an adjusted FCF margin between 37.5% and 38% in fiscal 2025, while maintaining over a 37% margin in fiscal 2026 and 2027. How Competitors Fare Against PANW Zscaler ZS and CrowdStrike CRWD are also evolving their platforms to meet enterprise security demands. Zscaler continues to expand its Zero Trust Exchange platform. In the third quarter of fiscal 2025, Zscaler reported ARR of $2.9 billion, up 23% year over year. Zscaler's Zero Trust Everywhere, Data Security Everywhere, and Agentic Operations are becoming its main growth engine. Together, these innovative categories are approaching $1 billion in ARR. However, Zscaler's FCF margin declined 18.2% sequentially. In the first quarter of fiscal 2026, CrowdStrike introduced Falcon Next-Gen SIEM and Charlotte AI. While Charlotte AI functions as a generative AI security analyst, reducing the support time provided by cybersecurity professionals, CrowdStrike's Falcon Next-Gen SIEM provides a unified platform for detecting threats, investigating attacks and responding to them. Moreover, CrowdStrike's FCF margin improved 8.7% sequentially. PANW's Price Performance, Valuation and Estimates Shares of Palo Alto Networks have gained 6% year to date compared with the Security industry's growth of 27.1 %. PANW YTD Price Return Performance From a valuation standpoint, Palo Alto Networks trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 12.33X, lower than the industry's average of 15.23X. PANW Forward 12-Month P/S Ratio The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PANW's fiscal 2025 and 2026 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 15.14% and 11.38%, respectively. The estimates for fiscal 2025 and 2026 have both been revised upward in the past 60 days, respectively. Palo Alto Networks currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. #1 Semiconductor Stock to Buy (Not NVDA) The incredible demand for data is fueling the market's next digital gold rush. As data centers continue to be built and constantly upgraded, the companies that provide the hardware for these behemoths will become the NVIDIAs of tomorrow. One under-the-radar chipmaker is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the next growth stage of this market. It specializes in semiconductor products that titans like NVIDIA don't build. It's just beginning to enter the spotlight, which is exactly where you want to be. See This Stock Now for Free >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (PANW): Free Stock Analysis Report Zscaler, Inc. (ZS): Free Stock Analysis Report CrowdStrike (CRWD): Free Stock Analysis Report
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Palo Alto Networks, Binary Defense Partner to Enhance AI-Driven Security Operations
Palo Alto Networks Inc. (NASDAQ:PANW) is one of the best software infrastructure stocks to invest in. On June 11, Palo Alto Networks announced a partnership with Binary Defense to enhance the security operations of its Cortex XSIAM platform. The collaboration aligns with a growing industry focus on AI-driven cybersecurity solutions. It aims to provide customers with flexible deployment options for XSIAM through implementation, co-managed, and fully managed security operations services. The partnership with Binary Defense, which is a managed detection and response/MDR provider, will integrate Binary Defense's MDR expertise directly into customer instances of Cortex XSIAM, which is Palo Alto's AI-powered platform. A cutting-edge computer lab full of IT experts monitoring the security of multiple systems. This offers three levels of support: implementation services for onboarding and tuning XSIAM, a co-managed MDR option for shared operational responsibility, and a fully managed MDR service for end-to-end, expert-led coverage, which includes 24/7 threat hunting, detection, and response. These flexible models are designed to address security team challenges such as talent shortages and operational gaps, helping organizations modernize their Security Operations Centers/SOCs. Palo Alto Networks Inc. (NASDAQ:PANW) provides cybersecurity solutions worldwide. While we acknowledge the potential of PANW as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the . READ NEXT: and . Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
