AI driven cyber attacks are getting smarter, faster and harder to spot, and that is reshaping how investors think about digital risk, insurance and defense. When supply chains, critical infrastructure and even senior executives can be targeted or impersonated, the financial impact can run well beyond a single breach. This article focuses on how that shift ties back to real stocks, using a screener built around AI cyber risk, cyber insurance and advanced IT defense. Below, you will find 3 stocks from this screener that appear positioned as potential beneficiaries of these evolving threats.

Aon (AON)

Overview: Aon is a global professional services firm that helps companies manage risk and people, from arranging complex insurance and reinsurance programs to advising on employee health benefits, pensions, and investment strategies.

Operations: Aon generates about US$11.6b from its Risk Capital segment and US$5.9b from Human Capital, with most revenue coming from the United States (US$8.3b), Europe, Middle East and Africa outside the UK and Ireland (US$3.4b), and the United Kingdom (US$2.3b).

Market Cap: US$78.4b

For investors watching rising AI driven cyber threats, Aon stands out because it sits at the crossroads of cyber insurance, risk analytics, and corporate resilience. The company is investing heavily in tools like cyber analyzers, Claims Copilot, and a US$5b data center lifecycle insurance program that directly targets AI and cloud related risks, while maintaining strong profitability metrics such as a roughly 22.5% net margin and high reported ROE. At the same time, its high debt load, executive pay levels, and exposure to softer commercial insurance pricing mean the story is not risk free. The real question is how these strengths and pressure points balance out as cyber risk and insurance demand keep evolving.

Aon’s push into AI focused cyber analytics, backed by a roughly 22.5% net margin and high reported ROE, looks powerful. However, the real tension is how its high debt and softer pricing shape that story in the 2 key rewards and 1 important warning sign

Zscaler (ZS)

Overview: Zscaler is a cloud security company that routes employee and application traffic through its own platform so that users can securely access the internet, private apps, and AI tools without relying on traditional on site firewalls or VPNs. Its Zero Trust approach aims to hide applications from attackers, inspect data in real time, and stop threats and data loss as work shifts to the cloud and remote locations.

Operations: Zscaler generates about US$3.2b from sales of subscription services to its cloud platform and related support, with revenue primarily from the United States (US$1.7b), Europe, Middle East and Africa (US$887.9m), Asia Pacific (US$493.0m), and other regions (US$112.2m).

Market Cap: US$24.2b

Zscaler sits at the center of rising AI driven cyber risk, securing internet access, private apps, and AI agents for large enterprises while concerns grow about automated attacks and deepfake style breaches. The company is still reporting losses, yet forecasts for faster earnings growth, a path toward profitability, and a large run rate of subscription revenue have caught analyst attention, especially as new AI focused products like Risk360 and Project AI Guardian gain traction. At the same time, a premium valuation, heavy insider selling, and reliance on higher risk funding sources mean execution and financing risk remain important considerations. The tension between those AI security tailwinds and the current loss making profile is where the most interesting part of the Zscaler story lies.

Zscaler’s AI security story is accelerating, but the real twist is how that growth profile stacks up against expectations in the analyst forecasts for Zscaler and what that implies for a loss making stock chasing a premium AI narrative.

International Business Machines (IBM)

Overview: International Business Machines is a global technology company that provides hybrid cloud, AI, cybersecurity and IT services, helping enterprises modernize core systems, manage data and run AI workloads across both on site and cloud environments.

Operations: IBM generates about US$30.7b from Software, US$21.3b from Consulting, US$16.2b from Infrastructure and US$0.8b from Financing, with total revenue supported by clients across the Americas (US$34.0b), Europe/Middle East/Africa (US$22.9b) and Asia Pacific (US$12.0b).

Market Cap: US$199.9b

IBM sits at the intersection of AI, cybersecurity and critical infrastructure, which is where rising AI driven cyber threats are pushing some corporate budgets. Its hybrid cloud and AI software, Red Hat platform, and security offerings such as QRadar XDR and attack surface tools give clients one vendor for both AI adoption and protection. Profit margins around 15.6% and a 3.18% dividend provide a mix of income and participation in the company’s strategic initiatives. The recent share price drop after weaker software and infrastructure results, along with high leverage and dependence on external borrowing, illustrates how quickly sentiment can shift if clients delay projects or change spending priorities. For investors, the balance between cash generation, AI and quantum initiatives, and these funding and execution risks is a key factor when comparing IBM with more focused cybersecurity companies.

IBM’s mix of 15.6% profit margins, a 3.18% dividend and heavy borrowing suggests the headline story may be masking a different risk reward profile, and the real twist sits in the International Business Machines financial health report

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Seeking Fresh Alternatives Beyond Cybersecurity?

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.