Anthropic’s recent launch of its Claude Code Security offering has stirred volatility across cybersecurity stocks, but analysts at Wedbush say market fears may be misplaced.
Anthropic last week launched Claude Code Security, a new AI-driven offering aimed at addressing software code and cybersecurity risks as enterprises expand their use of artificial intelligence.
Wedbush noted that the release “has caused chaos on the cybersecurity sector and stocks have been crushed accordingly on the fears this code-focused tool will change the industry.”
On the news, shares of CrowdStrike Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:CRWD) fell 11.6%, Zscaler Inc. (NASDAQ:ZS) was down 11.3%, and Palo Alto Networks Inc (NYSE:PANW, XETRA:5AP) fell 3.2%.
However, the firm wrote that its conversations with chief information security officers and IT professionals suggest the longer-term impact could be more constructive for the sector.
Wedbush said Anthropic’s move into the market reinforces its broader view that cybersecurity will be a key beneficiary of the artificial intelligence boom. The firm added that it expects other major AI developers, including OpenAI, to pursue similar strategies.
According to the analysts, the rapid adoption of AI is already reshaping the threat landscape by lowering the barriers to launching sophisticated cyberattacks while increasing their scale and precision. They pointed to risks such as highly convincing spear-phishing, real-time social engineering, polymorphic malware, automated vulnerability discovery, and faster exploit development cycles.
At the same time, the analysts wrote that AI-driven enterprise adoption is expanding the attack surface through APIs, cloud workloads, models, and data pipelines, creating new vectors that require additional protection.
Despite the recent selloff in cybersecurity shares, Wedbush maintained that established vendors remain well-positioned. The firm said CrowdStrike’s standing as a leading cybersecurity platform “remains firmly unchanged” amid the market reaction, citing the strength of its Falcon platform as AI-powered threats grow.
Wedbush also reiterated a positive stance on Palo Alto Networks, saying its platform strategy and the recently completed CyberArk acquisition could strengthen its position in AI-driven security.
Zscaler was similarly highlighted as well-positioned due to its product innovation and exposure to Zero Trust and AI security demand.
“We believe these stocks selling off is all on the ‘AI Ghost Trade’ fears...but it will prove to be the wrong reaction in the long-term for clear winners such as Palo Alto, CrowdStrike, and Zscaler as they prove it out in 2026 in our view,” the analysts wrote.
Wedbush added that CrowdStrike, Palo Alto Networks, and Zscaler remain among its preferred technology names for 2026 and continue to be included on the firm’s IVES AI 30 list.