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Palo Alto Networks' shares dropped over 8% on Monday after the fourth-quarter billings forecast tainted investor expectations. In an environment where corporations are pulling back on their cybersecurity spending, these kinds of shockwaves might become more frequent. Compounding the issue is the rise of a diversification strategy, with enterprise firms spreading their cybersecurity across multiple services.

A look at the numbers shows that this could also be a case of slight overreaction, as it plays into this larger narrative of contracting cybersecurity spending. For instance, Palo Alto announced they expect billings in the fourth quarter to fall somewhere between $10.13 and $10.18 billion. This isn’t significantly different from the $10.10 and $10.20 billion range investors were predicting.

Incognito Market was a global, dark web marketplace where users buy illicit drugs, and the US Department of Justice (DOJ) just announced they arrested the owner, Rui-Siang Lin of Taiwan. The scale of Incognito Market before it was closed in March was astounding. Hundreds of kilograms of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, MDMA, ketamine, and prescription drugs moved through the website.

Lin made a 5% commission off every sale, amassing a fortune given the sheer size of the $100 million marketplace. But now, he faces life in prison for engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, not to mention numerous other charges.

Google released a provocative alarm on Monday about the widespread use of Microsoft products within governments, claiming that software “monoculture” leaves them wide open to cybersecurity risks. The search engine juggernaut says, “Governments should adopt a multi-vendor strategy and develop and promote open standards to ensure interoperability, making it easier for organizations to replace insecure products with those that are more resilient to attack.”

This all happens in light of recent attacks on US government emails using Microsoft accounts, which were discussed in a US Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB) report. It also nicely coincides with Google’s roll out of a new and allegedly more secure Google Workspace.

Interesting Read

If you are reading this, you probably already know that there are few entry-level openings in the world of cybersecurity. In this commentary for DarkReading, Rex Booth outlines the ways that the woes of incoming professionals and the cybersecurity teams that are complaining about a talent shortage can both be solved.

The good news? Booth argues for “how artificial many of the most common barriers to entry are” on both sides of the equation.

Employment Tip: Work on Your LinkedIn

Professional social media platforms like LinkedIn are a great way to open yourself up to good luck. While not a silver bullet, having an impressive presence could get you scouted for an opening at your dream job.

For the latest openings in cybersecurity careers, check CybersecurityHQ.

Stay Safe, Stay Secure.

The CybersecurityHQ Team