Cybersecurity is big business, but the sector is under pressure in 2026, and the key reason is the real or imagined concern about the threat from artificial intelligence (AI). It’s well documented that AI will increase the threat landscape that companies have to deal with. It’s also clear that many cybersecurity companies like CrowdStrike (NASDAQ: CRWD) are using AI to fight fire with fire.
What’s less clear is if AI will unseat companies like CrowdStrike and Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ: PANW) as their cybersecurity provider. That’s a key reason that CRWD is down 6%in 2026, even after a 16% gain in the month ending April 29.
