JPMorgan says Anthropic cybersecurity model to boost these two stocks
Two cybersecurity stocks are likely to gain ground following Anthropic’s release of an advanced artificial intelligence solution tied to Project Glasswing, its latest cybersecurity initiative, according to JPMorgan. The investment bank reiterated overweight ratings on CrowdStrike Holdings and Palo Alto Networks in a new report, setting a 12-month price target of $475 on the former and $200 on the latter. “The near-term read from Glasswing is constructive for Security, particularly for CRWD and PANW which were named founding partners and essential layers in the defensive stack, rather than competitive targets,” JPMorgan analyst Brian Essex wrote Wednesday. “We view the partnership as a logical step and an indication that Security vendors are essential partners in the effort to fight AI with AI.” Anthropic announced Tuesday its advanced AI model, Claude Mythos Preview, would become available to more than 40 companies , including Google and Apple, in connection with Project Glasswing. The model is designed to detect and patch critical vulnerabilities in software, with the goal of securing digital infrastructure against AI-related exploitation. The rollout comes weeks after Fortune magazine reported on the planned debut of Mythos, sending cybersecurity stocks lower as investors mulled over the potential disruption to existing security vendors. But CrowdStrike and Palo Alto Networks are unlikely to be hit by AI disruption risks because they are actively working with Anthropic on Claude Mythos Preview, according to JPMorgan. “Anthropic was entering the security tool space as a potential disruptor; today it is partnering with incumbents and restricting model access to vetted defensive use,” Essex wrote. AI is “compounding the security challenge,” the analyst wrote, adding that “over 50% of enterprise AI usage [happens] through personal instances outside IT visibility.” The risks posed by the emerging technology’s proliferation should boost demand for advanced cybersecurity solutions, Essex said. “Security vendors are beginning to capture portions of budgets outside of traditional security as enterprises begin to bring shadow AI under control or CISOs are asked to secure AI-driven projects for business groups outside of IT,” Essex said, referring to chief information security officers. “The data moats, network effects, and switching costs across PANW, CRWD … remain intact with these vendors positioned to benefit from AI-related demand.” JPMorgan’s matches the Street’s enthusiasm. Of 57 analysts covering Palo Alto Networks, 45 rate it buy or strong buy, while 42 of 56 analysts rate CrowdStrike the equivalent of buy. Both Palo Alto Networks and CrowdStrike are down about 5% so far in 2026, roughly matching the decline in the iShares Cybersecurity and Tech ETF .
