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Cybersecurity has become an increasingly important issue that companies have to address as they continue to develop new platforms and mobile apps. Hackers have been able to steal credit card and personal information from major retailers like Home Depot and Target. As a result, cybersecurity has become more necessary, and instead of developing a dedicated department within a company, most opt to hire a third-party cybersecurity firm.

The September 15 short interest data have been compared with the previous figures, and short interest moves for the selected cybersecurity stocks were mixed. What is interesting here is that many investors think cybersecurity is the next area that needs real consolidation in technology.

FireEye Inc. (NASDAQ: FEYE) saw its short interest increase to 23.20 million shares from the previous reading of 22.76 million. Shares closed Monday at $14.49, in a 52-week trading range of $11.35 to $33.15.

CyberArk Software Ltd. (NASDAQ: CYBR) had its short interest fall to 1.48 million shares from the previous level of 1.64 million. Shares closed Monday at $50.70, within a 52-week range of $31.50 to $59.28.

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.‘s (NASDAQ: CHKP) short interest decreased to 9.24 million shares from the previous reading of 9.01 million. Shares closed most recently at $74.96, in a 52-week range of $71.64 to $89.98.

Palo Alto Networks Inc. (NYSE: PANW) saw the number of its shares short increase to 7.56 million from the previous level of 6.64 million. Shares closed Monday at $149.84, within a 52-week range of $111.09 to $194.73.

Fortinet Inc.‘s (NASDAQ: FTNT) short interest decreased to 4.35 million shares from its previous reading of 4.52 million. Shares closed Monday at $36.13, in a 52-week trading range of $23.16 to $44.66.