Black Friday Sale! 50% Off All Access

Cybersecurity Stocks to Watch as Russia-Ukraine Conflict Escalates The Russian invasion of Ukraine has raised concerns about cybersecurity to a fever pitch. That means while cybersecurity stocks may look overvalued, the effects of the conflict are likely not...

By Chris Markoch

Entrepreneur+ Black Friday Sale

Our biggest sale — Get unlimited access to Entrepreneur.com at an unbeatable price. Use code SAVE50 at checkout.*

Claim Offer

*Offer only available to new subscribers

This story originally appeared on MarketBeat

Depositphotos.com contributor/Depositphotos.com - MarketBeat

The fight against cyber threats is accelerating and here are three stocks that stand to benefit

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has raised concerns about cybersecurity to a fever pitch. In the United States, banks and major corporations are on heightened alert against cyber attacks. And while no specific threat exists, the current geopolitical situation serves as a reminder that living in a digital world has its drawbacks.

The good news is that many companies have already taken steps to bolster their cybersecurity. Investors have known this as the stock price of cybersecurity stocks has risen sharply over the past few years. That is a trend that's likely to accelerate as companies look to leave no stone unturned in protecting their own, and their customers, data. That means while cybersecurity stocks may look overvalued, the effects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict are not yet priced in.

With that in mind, here are three stocks we believe present attractive buying opportunities for risk-tolerant investors.

Palo Alto Networks (NYSE:PANW) - Palo Alto Networks reported earnings on February 21 and posted a beat on the top and bottom lines. Several analysts gave PANW stock price a higher price target in the days following the earnings report.

But that was before the Russian invasion commenced. It's likely that there will be more upward revisions to follow. For example, Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) just rated Palo Alto Networks as its top cybersecurity pick in a sector that firm believes has "rock solid" fundamentals. While the stock appears to have a high valuation, firms like Morgan Stanley believe that cybersecurity stocks will continue to outperform broader software stocks in 2022.

One reason to like Palo Alto Networks is that the company is a major provider of internet security solutions for enterprise customers. Palo Alto attracts an international roster of clients with its emphasis on innovation. The firm makes use of cutting edge breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics.

CrowdStrike (NASDAQ:CRWD) - CrowdStrike will report earnings in early March and with the stock trading towards the bottom of its 52-week range this may set up a buying opportunity for investors. The company has been growing revenue on a quarterly and year-over-year basis. And the rate of revenue growth has remained consistent. This is evident on the company's bottom line as it has posted a non-GAAP EPS profit in each of the last seven quarters.

CrowdStrike benefits from having a cloud-first business that is helping enterprise customers move their existing security protocols into the cloud era. The company does business with 63 of the Fortune 100 companies. And 14 out of the top 20 banks use the company's software.

Okta (NASDAQ:OKTA) - Okta is involved in helping businesses address personal identity and access management concerns. This has to do with areas such as two-factor user authentication which is becoming more important as offices are increasingly having to accommodate a decentralized workforce. With that in mind, Okta offers a software-as-a-solution (SaaS) product for clients. It also allows developers to build identity controls across its website, proprietary applications, and devices.

Okta is not yet consistently profitable (non-GAAP), but the company has been increasing its revenue on a quarterly and year-over-year basis. OKTA stock is currently trading near the bottom of its 52-week range and analysts give the stock a consensus price target that shows a potential 46% upside.

Okta reports earnings inearly March, investors will be looking for confirmation of the company's bullish forward guidance which included the projection of $4 billion of revenue and a free cash flow margin of 20% by the end of its 2026 fiscal year.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Money & Finance

Why Donald Trump's Business-First Policies Trump Harris' Consumer-Centric Approach

President Donald Trump's pro-business agenda is packed with policy moves encouraging investment to drive economic growth. The next Congress has a unique opportunity to support entrepreneurship and innovation, improving U.S. competitiveness with the rest of the world.

Business News

Barbara Corcoran Says This Is the Interest Rate Magic Number That Will Make the Market 'Go Ballistic'

Corcoran said she praying for lower interest rates and people are "tired of waiting."

Business News

DOGE Leaders Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy Say Mandating In-Person Work Would Make 'a Wave' of Federal Employees Quit

The two published an op-ed outlining their goals for their new department, including workforce reductions.

Business News

The Two Richest People in the World Are Fighting on Social Media Again

Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk had a new, contentious exchange on X.

Growing a Business

Build a Business That Will Sell: From Valuations to a Successful Exit

Join us for this free webinar and learn how to develop a business that buyers will find irresistible.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.