Palo Alto Networks CEO Says AI Is Forcing $1 Trillion Cybersecurity Overhaul

According to CNBC, Palo Alto Networks CEO Nikesh Arora said AI is forcing companies to modernize about $1 trillion of aging cybersecurity infrastructure built before the AI era. He said systems deployed seven or 10 years ago are not ready to handle AI at machine speed and that companies must rethink their cyber architecture. Arora said Palo Alto's fiscal fourth-quarter results beat estimates and that the company issued a strong outlook for its new fiscal year. He also said the opportunity is expanding as AI helps attackers find and exploit vulnerabilities faster, and that roughly $1 trillion of global cybersecurity debt must be updated to defend against automated threats. Arora said Palo Alto has spoken with about 2,000 companies about its Frontier AI Critical Defense Program, which uses advanced AI models to test defenses, identify vulnerabilities and help customers modernize security infrastructure. The company introduced the initiative in August. Shares of Palo Alto have risen 113% since April 7.