Colonial Pipeline Hack Moves Cybersecurity to the Spotlight: 4 Stocks to Buy Now

Apps & Software

Published: May 17, 2021 7:35 am

It never fails. Individuals, businesses and government become complacent about the need for stringent cybersecurity protection, and then a massive breach like the one on Colonial Pipeline happens and tens of millions of people can’t buy gasoline. Jet fuel and distillates are also cut-off, and there is basically nothing to be done until the situation is remedied. As always, guess what stocks are right back in the spotlight? Cybersecurity software.
[in-text-ad]
Over the years, the massive hacks at Adobe, eBay, Equifax, Microsoft Exchange Server, Yahoo and more have done huge damage. Like now, there is always a vow for more diligence. The Biden administration enacted new executive orders focusing on the government taking aggressive steps toward Zero Trust adoption. The executive order is also very firm about implementing multifactor authentication at government agencies, and many across Wall Street feel that is critical to an effective Zero Trust plan.

Zero Trust architecture is an alternative security model that addresses the fundamental flaw of traditional strategies that data only needs to be protected from outside of an organization. The Zero Trust model views data security through a new lens, enabling parameters that dictate access and restrictions internally as well.

While the hack at Colonial does not immediately mean orders will fly through the doors of the top companies, it has refocused those in leadership positions on the crucial need for data and hardware security. We screened the BofA Securities cybersecurity software research universe looking for the top stocks that are rated Buy and found four that offer big upside to current price levels and solid growth prospects going forward. Remember that no single analyst call should ever be used as a basis to buy or sell a stock.

CrowdStrike

This cybersecurity stock has pulled back recently after a stellar run and is offering an outstanding entry point. CrowdStrike Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: CRWD) is a leader in the endpoint protection platform (EPP) market. EPP solutions help protect enterprises’ internet-connected devices from cyberattacks, and there is a market shift from signature-based on-premises solutions to cloud-based platforms that use machine learning.

CrowdStrike’s platform is one of the few 100% cloud-based architectures and is uniquely positioned to displace incumbents with its platform breadth, including advanced detection and remediation capabilities.

Many analysts feel that the company is well positioned for sustainable success in a market in which the share leaders have failed to innovate. Outside of core endpoint security, most expect CrowdStrike can continue to drive strong multi-module adoption, leading to increased stickiness and better long-term positioning.

BofA Securities has a $255 price target on the shares, and the Wall Street consensus target is $254.14. Friday’s last trade for CrowdStrike stock was reported at $190.64.

CyberArk Software

This company has less than a $5 billion market cap, which may make it a prime takeover target. CyberArk Software Ltd. (NASDAQ: CYBR) is a pioneer of a new layer of IT security solutions that protect organizations from cyberattackers that have evaded the network perimeter.

CyberArk’s solutions secure organizations’ critical assets, dubbed privileged accounts, which are the keys to databases, industrial control systems, servers and applications, all which house sensitive data. CyberArk’s software is focused on protecting these accounts, which are highly targeted in cyberattacks to disrupt networks or steal sensitive data.