We recently published a list of 13 Best Cybersecurity Stocks to Buy According to Billionaires. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:PANW) stands against other best cybersecurity stocks to buy according to billionaires.

The cybersecurity market is poised for significant growth over the coming years, driven by an increasingly complex threat landscape and rapid digital transformation across industries. According to a recent study by Grand View Research Inc., the global cybersecurity market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.9% from 2025 to 2030. This robust growth is fueled by escalating cyber threats and advanced malware attacks across multiple verticals, including banking, retail, information technology, defense, and manufacturing.

In 2024 and into 2025, investments in cyber security are also surging. The Reuters report has highlighted that $4  billion was raised in 2024 by Israeli cybersecurity firms. This underscores that cloud security—integral to protecting sensitive data and digital assets—is becoming a primary focus for enterprises worldwide.

Cybersecurity Talent Shortage

A critical challenge facing the industry is the widening talent gap. As cyber threats become more sophisticated, the demand for qualified professionals has skyrocketed, with estimates from cybersecurity ventures predicting that over 3.5 million cybersecurity positions could remain unfilled by 2025. In response, recent commentary from the U.S. highlights calls for broadening hiring practices—such as removing rigid college degree requirements—to tap into a larger pool of skilled talent. This push for more inclusive hiring is seen as essential for meeting the nearly 500,000 open cybersecurity jobs currently reported in the U.S. alone.

Regulatory Compliance and Data Privacy

Regulatory pressures continue to intensify as governments worldwide respond to escalating cyber threats. In late 2024, the Biden administration proposed new cybersecurity rules aimed at limiting the impact of healthcare data breaches, with estimates suggesting the new measures could cost approximately $9 billion in the first year alone.

The rise of ransomware attacks further accelerates the demand for cybersecurity solutions. In 2023 alone, companies reportedly paid a record $1.1 billion in ransom according to a report from Chainalysis. These alarming trends contribute to broader economic implications, with projections from Cybersecurity Ventures estimating that global cybercrime damages could reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025.

Our Methodology

For this list, we analyzed the Global X Cybersecurity ETF holdings, which focus on stocks with strong cybersecurity performance. We then cross-referenced these holdings with Insider Monkey’s Q4 2024 data of billionaire holdings to identify the companies in the ETF with the highest number of billionaire investors. Ranking these companies based on billionaire interest, we compiled a list of the best cybersecurity stocks that showcase strong performance trends and are highly favored by billionaires.

At Insider Monkey, we are obsessed with hedge funds. Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).

A cutting-edge computer lab full of IT experts monitoring the security of multiple systems.

Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:PANW)

Number of billionaire investors: 14

Dollar value of holdings: $708,098,599

Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:PANW) is a global leader in cybersecurity, providing AI-driven security solutions to protect enterprises across networks, clouds, endpoints, and applications.

Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:PANW) has introduced Prisma SASE 5G. It is a cloud-native Zero Trust security solution designed to help service providers secure enterprise 5G deployments amid rising cyber threats. The company is expanding its private 5G ecosystem, partnering with industry leaders like Nokia, NTT DATA, NVIDIA, and Telenor to deliver comprehensive 5G security solutions. These will protect critical infrastructure, industrial IoT, and mobile networks.

Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:PANW) reported Q2 2025 revenue of $2.3 billion, a 14% year-over-year increase, driven by strong adoption of AI-driven security solutions and cloud investments. Next-Generation Security annual recurring revenue grew 37% to $4.8 billion, while the remaining performance obligation rose 21% to $13.0 billion. Non-GAAP net income increased to $0.6 billion, up from $0.5 billion in Q2 2024, showcasing improved profitability.

On February 18, 2025, Analyst Shyam Patil from Susquehanna maintained a Buy rating on the stock and raised the price target from $218 to $230.

Overall, PANW ranks 3rd on our list of best cybersecurity stocks to buy according to billionaires. While we acknowledge the potential for PANW as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than PANW but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.