Check Point Software Stock (NASDAQ: CHKP)

Check Point Software (NASDAQ:CHKP) Stock

Check Point Software

Check Point Software Technologies is a pure-play cybersecurity vendor. The company offers solutions for network, endpoint, cloud, and mobile security in addition to security management. Check Point, a software specialist, sells to enterprises, businesses, and consumers. Around 50% of revenue is generated in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, 40% from the Americas, and 10% from the Asia-Pacific region. The firm, based in Tel Aviv, Israel, was founded in 1993 and has about 5,000 employees.

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. - Ordinary Shares

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd

The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/cybersecurity">cybersecurity sector</a> may be breathing a sigh of relief after a deal was reached to continue funding for the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures database, commonly known as the CVE program.
What Happened: The 25-year-old CVE program is used to identify cybersecurity vulnerabilities and has been considered a vital part of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/03/44501515/cybersecurity-stocks-to-outperform-its-the-one-line-item-that-no-company-in-the-world-is-cutting-josh-brown">the cybersecurity sector.</a>
News spread this week that funding for the CVE program expired on April 16 and a contract with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security had not been renewed. However, in a last-minute turnaround, the program was reinstated, according to a Forbes <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/kateoflahertyuk/2025/04/16/cve-program-funding-cut-what-it-means-and-what-to-do-next/">report</a>.
"The CVE Program is invaluable to cyber community and a priority of CISA. Last night, CISA executed the option period on the contract to ensure there will be no lapse in critical CVE services," a CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) spokesperson told Forbes.
The report said the CISA's extension of funding will last 11 months.
A new body, which includes a subset of the CVE Board, will break off and maintain the CVE Program, according to the report. 
"The CVE Foundation has been formally established to ensure the long-term viability, stability, and independence of the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures Program, a critical pillar of the global cybersecurity infrastructure for 25 years," the new CVE governing body said.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/sector-etfs/25/03/44241995/cybersecurity-report-flags-7-major-threats-against-governments-corporations-stocks-and-etfs-to-watch">Cybersecurity Report Flags 7 Major Threats Against Governments, Corporations: Stocks And ETFs To Watch</a>
Why It's Important: Experts warned that the end of the CVE Program could lead to increased vulnerabilities in the cybersecurity sector.
"Without CVE, defenders are at a massive disadvantage against global cyber threats," CVE Board Member Kent Landfield said. "CVE, as a cornerstone of the global cybersecurity ecosystem, is too important to be vulnerable itself."
If the CVE had not been able to continue its funding, the list of logged vulnerabilities would have ended, and organizations could have been more vulnerable to attacks.
The funding extension eases worries temporarily but leaves questions about the future of the CVE, which comes as cybersecurity attacks have increased and remain a key concern for large companies.
Investors seeking exposure to the cybersecurity sector have several options, including individual stocks and ETFs. These are the largest ETFs covering the sector:
<ul>
<li>First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CIBR#NASDAQ">CIBR</a>)</li>
<li>Amplify Cybersecurity ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HACK#NYSE">HACK</a>)</li>
<li>Global X Cybersecurity ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BUG#NASDAQ">BUG</a>)</li>
<li>iShares Cybersecurity And Tech ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IHAK#NYSE">IHAK</a>)</li>
</ul>
In the ETFs, some of the top holdings include CrowdStrike Holdings (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRWD#NASDAQ">CRWD</a>), Broadcom Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>), Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CSCO#NASDAQ">CSCO</a>), Check Point Software (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CHKP#NASDAQ">CHKP</a>) and Okta Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OKTA#NASDAQ">OKTA</a>).
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Photo: Shutterstock

Sector ETFs

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Pillar Of America's Cyber Security Lost Funding Temporarily: What Investors Should Know About CVE Program, Funding Extension

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Shares of companies within the broader tech sector are trading lower after Fed Chair Powell made remarks at the Economic Club. Also, the broader tech industry may be weighed down by NVIDIA after the United States informed the company that it may require a license to export chips to China

Morgan Stanley analyst Hamza Fodderwala maintains Check Point Software (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CHKP#NASDAQ">CHKP</a>) with a Equal-Weight and lowers the price target from $235 to $220.

News

Price Target

Analyst Ratings

Morgan Stanley Maintains Equal-Weight on Check Point Software, Lowers Price Target to $220

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Shares of software stocks are trading higher following President Trump's decision to implement a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs for all countries except China.

Fortinet Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FTNT#NASDAQ">FTNT</a>) could be the most exposed <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/cybersecurity">security hardware vendor</a> to newly announced <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/04/44620889/trumps-liberation-day-tariffs-roil-markets-as-china-slams-typical-unilateral-bullying-asian-markets-plunge">U.S. tariffs</a>, with a potential 60-basis-point margin headwind due to its reliance on Taiwan-based manufacturing.
JPMorgan analyst Brian Essex warns that this exposure could significantly impact the company's margins.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Fortinet's Taiwan Exposure Creates Headwinds</h2>
According to Essex, Fortinet manufactures approximately 95% of its hardware in Taiwan, making it highly susceptible to tariffs imposed on the region. His calculations suggest that the company could face incremental tariff costs of roughly $40 million, translating to a 60bps impact on margins.
While Fortinet could mitigate some of this impact by raising prices or shifting manufacturing to other locations, the competitive landscape may shift in favor of domestic peers like Cisco Systems Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CSCO#NASDAQ">CSCO</a>).
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/insights/short-sellers/25/04/44614453/is-fortinet-gaining-or-losing-market-support">Is Fortinet Gaining or Losing Market Support?</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Check Point, Palo Alto Networks Appear More Insulated</h2>
Essex notes that Check Point Software Technologies Ltd (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CHKP#NASDAQ">CHKP</a>) faces relatively negligible tariff exposure, as only 10% of its Bill of Materials (BOM) comes from China, and its U.S. revenue exposure is around 35%.
Meanwhile, Palo Alto Networks Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PANW#NASDAQ">PANW</a>) has proactively addressed tariff risks by shifting contract manufacturing to Texas and reducing its reliance on Chinese components.
As a result, Essex sees the tariff impact on Palo Alto's margins as minimal.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Investor Concerns, Competitive Implications</h2>
Essex highlights that investors have been closely watching Fortinet's exposure to Taiwan and other regions, such as Canada and Mexico.
However, these countries are not currently subject to the latest tariffs, which provides some relief. Still, the competitive implications remain, as companies with less exposure to affected regions may gain an advantage.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Uncertain Path Forward</h2>
While the full impact of the tariffs is yet to be determined, Essex stresses that Fortinet's exposure is notably higher than that of its peers. He cautions that further supply chain adjustments or price increases may be necessary to offset these pressures, making the coming quarters critical for investors tracking the stock.
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Photo: Shutterstock

Analyst Color

Tech

PANW

Fortinet Faces Tariff Turbulence - Analyst Flags Margin Risk

Stephens &amp; Co. analyst Todd Weller initiates coverage on Check Point Software (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CHKP#NASDAQ">CHKP</a>) with a Equal-Weight rating and announces Price Target of $255.

Initiation

Stephens & Co. Initiates Coverage On Check Point Software with Equal-Weight Rating, Announces Price Target of $255

Nadav Zafrir of Team8 took over as Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CHKP#NASDAQ">CHKP</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/07/39927791/check-point-q2-revenue-and-security-subscriptions-rise-ceo-transition-announced">new CEO in December 2024</a>. What do analysts think of this change and how it will affect the company?
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">BofA Securities On Lululemon Athletica</h1>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst/58b96e16b85e930001592a0f/tal-liani">Analyst Tal Liani</a> upgraded the rating from Neutral to Buy, while raising the price target from $230 to $260.
The new CEO is "fundamentally changing the growth outlook of Check Point," Liani said in his upgrade note. Under the leadership of Nadav Zafrir, the company has revamped its go-to-market strategy, he added.
There are "encouraging signs" from the new go-to-market and product initiatives, the analyst stated. "M&amp;A and R&amp;D proactiveness were the key historical weaknesses of Check Point, and we expect this to change under the new leadership, with a focus on shifting from point products to a hybrid mesh platform through organic and inorganic evolution, as well as strategic partnerships," he further wrote.
Check out <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings">other analyst stock ratings</a>.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">BMO Capital Markets On Check Point Software Technologies</h1>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst/585beadcb5a482000151d18b/keith-bachman">Analyst </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst/585beadcb5a482000151d18b/keith-bachman">Keith Bachman</a> upgraded the rating from Market Perform to Outperform rating, while raising the price target from $245 to $275.
There is upside to the billings growth and net new billings estimates for 2025, Bachman said in his upgrade note. "We have increased confidence in growth assumptions for Harmony Email/Avanan, which ease the glide path of CHKP's requisite core net new billings," he added.
Check Point is increasingly focusing on the SASE market, estimated by Gartner to reach around $15 billion in 2025, the analyst stated. "New management, GTM initiatives and increased investment/integration, including resources directed to SASE from CNAPP, can position CHKP SASE for longer-term success, in our opinion," he further wrote.
CHKP Price Action: Shares of Check Point Software Technologies declined by 0.95% to $229.11 at the time of publication on Friday.
Read More:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/insights/analyst-ratings/25/02/43568843/forecasting-the-future-6-analyst-projections-for-tradeweb-markets"> </a> • <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/03/44491397/dollar-tree-q4-earnings-surpass-estimates-unloads-family-dollar-for-1b">&nbsp;3 Cybersecurity ETFs in Focus Amid Reports of US Cyber Operations Suspension</a>
Photo: Shutterstock

Management

Movers

Check Point Software Technologies: Prospects Improve Under New CEO, These Analysts Turn Bullish

Check Point Software (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CHKP#NASDAQ">CHKP</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 15 years by 2.3% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 13.18%. Currently, Check Point Software has a market capitalization of $25.57 billion. 
Buying $1000 In CHKP: If an investor had bought $1000 of CHKP stock 15 years ago, it would be worth $6,406.15 today based on a price of $232.52 for CHKP at the time of writing.
<h3>Check Point Software's Performance Over Last 15 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1743175809_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

$1000 Invested In This Stock 15 Years Ago Would Be Worth This Much Today

Top Wall Street analysts changed their outlook on these top names. For a complete view of all analyst rating changes, including upgrades, downgrades and initiations, please see our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings">analyst ratings page</a>.
<ul>
<li>Barclays analyst Henning Cosman upgraded the rating for Ferrari N.V. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RACE#NYSE">RACE</a>) from Equal-Weight to Overweight. Ferrari shares closed at $426.82 on Thursday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/RACE/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Jefferies analyst Blayne Curtis upgraded Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMAT#NASDAQ">AMAT</a>) from Hold to Buy and announced a $195 price target. Applied Materials shares closed at $147.68 on Thursday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AMAT/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>BMO Capital analyst Keith Bachman upgraded the rating for Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CHKP#NASDAQ">CHKP</a>) from Market Perform to Outperform and raised the price target from $245 to $275. Check Point Software shares closed at $231.31 on Thursday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CHKP/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Goldman Sachs analyst Caitlin Burrows upgraded Tanger Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SKT#NYSE">SKT</a>) from Neutral to Buy and boosted the price target from $39 to $40. Tanger shares closed at $32.86 on Thursday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SKT/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>B of A Securities analyst Alec Stranahan upgraded the rating for Beam Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BEAM#NASDAQ">BEAM</a>) from Neutral to Buy and maintained the price target of $42. Beam Therapeutics shares closed at $22.19 on Thursday. &nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BEAM/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
</ul>
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Photo: Shutterstock

Upgrades

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This Applied Materials Analyst Turns Bullish; Here Are Top 5 Upgrades For Friday

BMO Capital analyst Keith Bachman upgrades Check Point Software (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CHKP#NASDAQ">CHKP</a>) from Market Perform to Outperform and raises the price target from $245 to $275.

BMO Capital Upgrades Check Point Software to Outperform, Raises Price Target to $275

Top Wall Street analysts changed their outlook on these top names. For a complete view of all analyst rating changes, including upgrades and downgrades, please see our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings">analyst ratings page</a>.
<ul>
<li>Wells Fargo raised Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CTAS#NASDAQ">CTAS</a>) price target from $184 to $186. Wells Fargo analyst Jason Haas maintained an Underweight rating. Cintas shares closed at $204.71 on Wednesday. See how other <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CTAS/analyst-ratings">analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Mizuho raised the price target for Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AXSM#NASDAQ">AXSM</a>) from $212 to $216. Mizuho analyst Graig Suvannavejh maintained an Outperform rating. Axsome Therapeutics shares closed at $119.16 on Wednesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AXSM/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Stifel boosted Paychex, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PAYX#NASDAQ">PAYX</a>) price target from $141 to $156. Stifel analyst Bryan Bergin maintained a Hold rating. Paychex shares closed at $150.19 on Wednesday. See how other analysts <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/PAYX/analyst-ratings">view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Piper Sandler raised the price target for Mondelez International, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MDLZ#NASDAQ">MDLZ</a>) from $56 to $59. Piper Sandler analyst Michael Lavery maintained a Neutral rating. Mondelez shares closed at $66.33 on Wednesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MDLZ/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Deutsche Bank increased the price target for Celanese Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CE#NYSE">CE</a>) from $70 to $75. Deutsche Bank analyst David Begleiter maintained a Buy rating. Celanese shares closed at $59.16 on Wednesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CE/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Needham cut Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/STZ#NYSE">STZ</a>) price target from $240 to $215. Needham analyst Gerald Pascarelli maintained a Buy rating. Constellation shares settled at $184.11 on Wednesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/STZ/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>B of A Securities raised Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CHKP#NASDAQ">CHKP</a>) price target from $230 to $260. B of A Securities analyst Tal Liani upgraded the stock from Neutral to Buy. Check Point Software shares closed at $227.87 on Wednesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CHKP/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Telsey Advisory Group increased Dollar Tree, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DLTR#NASDAQ">DLTR</a>) price target from $75 to $82. Telsey Advisory Group analyst Joseph Feldman maintained a Market Perform rating. Dollar Tree shares closed at $69.21 on Wednesday.  <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/DLTR/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Jefferies cut the price target for Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>) from $135 to $120. Jefferies analyst Blayne Curtis downgraded the stock from Buy to Hold. AMD shares settled at $110.19 on Wednesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AMD/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Wells Fargo cut Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNP#NYSE">UNP</a>) price target from $265 to $260. Wells Fargo analyst Christian Wetherbee maintained an Overweight rating. Union Pacific shares closed at $238.03 on Wednesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/UNP/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
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AXSM

CTAS

DLTR

MDLZ

PAYX

Celanese To Rally Around 27%? Here Are 10 Top Analyst Forecasts For Thursday

Top Wall Street analysts changed their outlook on these top names. For a complete view of all analyst rating changes, including upgrades, downgrades and initiations, please see our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings">analyst ratings page</a>.
<ul>
<li>Morgan Stanley analyst Connor Lynagh upgraded the rating for Liberty Energy Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LBRT#NYSE">LBRT</a>) from Equal-Weight to Overweight and raised the price target from $20 to $25. Liberty Energy shares closed at $15.42 on Wednesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AFRM/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Mizuho analyst John Roberts upgraded The Chemours Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CC#NYSE">CC</a>) from Neutral to Outperform and maintained the price target of $19. Chemours shares closed at $13.83 on Wednesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AFRM/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>B of A Securities analyst Tal Liani upgraded the rating for Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CHKP#NASDAQ">CHKP</a>) from Neutral to Buy and raised the price target from $230 to $260. Check Point Software shares closed at $227.87 on Wednesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AFRM/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
</ul>
Considering buying CHKP stock? Here&#8217;s what analysts think: 
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</ul>

LBRT

This Check Point Software Analyst Turns Bullish; Here Are Top 3 Upgrades For Thursday

B of A Securities analyst Tal Liani upgrades Check Point Software (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CHKP#NASDAQ">CHKP</a>) from Neutral to Buy and raises the price target from $230 to $260.

B of A Securities Upgrades Check Point Software to Buy, Raises Price Target to $260

Live On CNBC: Final Trades DELL, VRT, GOOG, And CHKP

Morgan Stanley analyst Hamza Fodderwala maintains Check Point Software (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CHKP#NASDAQ">CHKP</a>) with a Equal-Weight and raises the price target from $200 to $235.

Morgan Stanley Maintains Equal-Weight on Check Point Software, Raises Price Target to $235

Check Point Software shares are trading higher after Wells Fargo upgraded the stock from Equal-Weight to Overweight and raised its price target from $200 to $280.

Wells Fargo analyst Andrew Nowinski upgrades Check Point Software (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CHKP#NASDAQ">CHKP</a>) from Equal-Weight to Overweight and raises the price target from $200 to $280.

Wells Fargo Upgrades Check Point Software to Overweight, Raises Price Target to $280

Cybersecurity-focused ETFs are back in the spotlight following a <a href="https://therecord.media/hegseth-orders-cyber-command-stand-down-russia-planning">report </a>by The Record that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered a halt to offensive cyber and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/russia">information operations against Russia</a>. 
The Pentagon <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-03-04/pentagon-denies-report-of-halt-in-cyber-operations-versus-russia">denied</a> these claims. Still, the news has reignited interest in cybersecurity investments. As cyber threats escalate, organizations worldwide are ramping up efforts to protect their digital assets, making cybersecurity companies and ETFs holding them, attractive investment opportunities.
For investors looking to gain diversified exposure to the cybersecurity sector without the hassle of studying and choosing individual stocks, here are three <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs">noteworthy cybersecurity ETFs</a>:
<ul>
<li>Global X Cybersecurity ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BUG#NASDAQ">BUG</a>): This ETF provides investors access to a portfolio of 22 cybersecurity companies. It includes leading firms like Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PANW#NASDAQ">PANW</a>), Zscaler (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ZS#NASDAQ">ZS</a>), Fortinet (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FTT#NASDAQ">FTT</a>), and CrowdStrike (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRWD#NASDAQ">CRWD</a>). While the ETF primarily focuses on U.S.-based companies, it also includes firms from Israel, Japan, and South Korea. It has an expense ratio of 0.5%, which is relatively standard for sector-specific ETFs.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CIBR#NASDAQ">CIBR</a>): This fund tracks the Nasdaq CTA Cybersecurity Index and includes companies actively involved in cybersecurity operations. CrowdStrike is one of its major holdings, along with other key players such as Check Point Software (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CHKP#NASDAQ">CHKP</a>), Fortinet, and Palo Alto. CIBR has over $8 billion in assets under management and an expense ratio of 0.6%.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>ETFMG Prime Cyber Security ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HACK#NYSE">HACK</a>): The <a href="https://amplifyetfs.com/hack/#:~:text=Launched%20in%202014%2C%20HACK%20is,within%20the%20growing%20cybersecurity%20industry.">first </a>ETF focused on cybersecurity and remains one of the most popular choices among investors. It provides exposure to a mix of established cybersecurity companies and emerging players. Its holdings include CrowdStrike, Palo Alto Networks, and Cisco (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CSCO#NASDAQ">CSCO</a>), among others.</li>
</ul>
HACK follows a tiered, equal-weighted approach, ensuring that no single company dominates the portfolio. This diversification helps mitigate risk while still capturing growth potential in the cybersecurity industry. The fund has an expense ratio of 0.6% and has consistently performed well as cyber threats continue to increase globally.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/sector-etfs/25/02/43632056/3-etfs-for-cybersecurity-investors-as-ai-driven-threats-grow">3 ETFs For Cybersecurity Investors As AI-Driven Threats Grow</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Growing Importance Of Cybersecurity</h2>
The increasing reliance on digital infrastructure across industries has made businesses, governments, and individuals more vulnerable to cyberattacks. High-profile breaches targeting financial institutions, healthcare providers, and government agencies have demonstrated the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures.
Companies are now investing heavily in AI-driven security solutions, zero-trust architectures, and threat intelligence platforms to stay ahead of evolving threats. As a result, cybersecurity firms are experiencing strong revenue growth, making them attractive investment opportunities.
According to a Bloomberg Intelligence research report, the total cybersecurity market will likely hit $338 billion by 2033. That&#8217;s up from about $152.5 billion in 2023.
Cybersecurity has become one of the fastest-growing sectors in the market. High-profile cyberattacks in recent years have led to massive data breaches, infrastructure failures, and financial losses amounting to billions of dollars. 
According to a research report by CrowdStrike:
<ul>
<li>China-linked cyber activity rising by 150% across all sectors in 2024. </li>
<li>Vishing attacks experienced an explosive 442% increase between the first and second half of the year.</li>
<li>The fastest recorded eCrime breakout time was just 51 seconds, emphasizing the speed at which cybercriminals can compromise systems.</li>
<li>79% of detected cyber incidents were malware-free, indicating a shift toward advanced attack techniques. </li>
<li>26 newly named adversaries emerged</li>
<li>52% of vulnerabilities identified were linked to initial access methods, underscoring the ongoing challenge of securing entry points against persistent cyber threats.</li>
</ul>
As cyber threats continue to evolve, businesses and governments are prioritizing investments in cybersecurity to safeguard their networks and data. This growing demand positions cybersecurity ETFs and companies for sustained long-term growth.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43886224/bybit-founder-confirms-1-4-billion-ethereum-hack-blames-masked-transaction">Bybit Founder Confirms $1.4 Billion Ethereum Hack, Blames &#8216;Masked&#8217; Transaction</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Renewed Interest Fueled By Stalled Cyber Operations</h2>
Hegseth&#8217;s move was reportedly aimed at fostering diplomatic talks between the U.S. and Russia regarding Ukraine. 
U.S. cyber operations against Russia have historically included disrupting ransomware groups, countering disinformation campaigns, and targeting networks used by Russian intelligence agencies. These operations have played a critical role in reducing cyber threats that could impact American infrastructure, financial institutions, and national security. A halt or pause in such actions could enable Russian state-backed hackers and cybercriminal groups to escalate their activities against U.S. and European targets.
According to a New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/02/us/politics/hegseth-cyber-russia-trump-putin.html">report</a>, former intelligence officials have noted that pauses in military and cyber operations during sensitive diplomatic negotiations are not uncommon, as they can prevent tensions from escalating further. 
Critics argue that scaling back offensive cyber capabilities, even temporarily, risks weakening U.S. deterrence and response mechanisms. 
Regardless of the conflicting narratives, cybersecurity remains a critical national security and business priority. The alleged pause in U.S. cyber operations against Russia has raised concerns about potential vulnerabilities, further underscoring the need for robust cybersecurity solutions.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/sector-etfs/25/03/44120598/broken-deal-big-consequences-how-etfs-and-stocks-will-react">Broken Deal, Big Consequences: How ETFs And Stocks Will React</a></li>
</ul>
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