Cybersecurity outlook 'cautiously optimistic' as AI drives spending, Scotiabank says

Bank of Nova Scotia

27/03/2026 10:57

** Scotiabank says 2026 cybersecurity outlook is "cautiously optimistic" with AI as an accelerating tailwind

** Application Programming Interface (API) security, non-human identity management and AI detection & response are expected to drive spending this year - brokerage

** Scotiabank is "tactically bullish" and feels better about SailPoint's SAIL.O setup for FY27; SAIL has an advantage in protecting AI agent and non-human identities

** Brokerage "incrementally more positive" on CrowdStrike CRWD.O; Scotiabank's latest checks suggest that CRWD is landing big strategic commitments

** Scotiabank is "near-term nervous" about Fortinet FTNT.O; says firm looks to be less well-placed to capture new spending in growing areas of cybersecurity

** Customers are liking Palo Alto Networks' PANW.O buyout of CyberArk, saying the combinations can lead to better deals together under the same vendor than individually - brokerage

** Brokerage says it made checks on Qualys QLYS.O, Tenable TENB.O, and Rapid7 RPD.O; says vulnerability management is not a spending priority for chief information security officers

 (Reporting by Jaspreet Singh in Bengaluru)

 ((Jaspreet.Singh@thomsonreuters.com ; https://twitter.com/i_jass))