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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 companies like JPMorgan and Home Depot. 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.

What is interesting here is that many investors think cybersecurity is the next area in technology that needs real consolidation.

The January 31 short interest data have been compared with the previous figures, and short interest moves in the selected cybersecurity stocks were mixed.

FireEye Inc. (NASDAQ: FEYE) saw its short interest increase to 23.70 million shares from the previous reading of 20.34 million. Shares were last seen at $11.37, in a 52-week trading range of $10.60 to $19.63.

The short interest at CyberArk Software Ltd. (NASDAQ: CYBR) increased to 488,891 shares from the previous level of 449,382. Shares were trading at $54.03, within a 52-week range of $31.50 to $59.28.

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.’s (NASDAQ: CHKP) short interest decreased to 6.66 million shares from the previous reading of 9.25 million. Shares were trading at $100.61, in a 52-week range of $74.34 to $100.87.

The number of Palo Alto Networks Inc. (NYSE: PANW) shares short ticked up to 7.64 million from the previous level of 6.67 million. Shares were trading at $155.42, within a 52-week range of $114.64 to $165.69.

Fortinet Inc.’s (NASDAQ: FTNT) short interest decreased to 5.94 million shares from its previous reading of 7.48 million. Shares were trading at $37.75, in a 52-week trading range of $23.51 to $38.33.