Zscaler's AI Security Play: A Growth Rocket You Can't Afford to Miss!

Wesley ParkFriday, May 30, 2025 8:07 am ET
8min read

The cybersecurity space is on fire—and Zscaler (NASDAQ: ZS) isn't just lighting matches, it's building a bonfire. With its Q3 fiscal 2025 results, this cloud security powerhouse has delivered jaw-dropping growth, strategic AI-driven moves, and a recurring revenue machine that's primed to dominate the next wave of enterprise tech. If you're not already in this stock, here's why you should be sprinting to your broker—now.

The Numbers Are Blazing: 23% Revenue Growth, and That's Just the Start

Let's start with the cold, hard facts. Zscaler reported $678 million in revenue for Q3, up a staggering 23% year-over-year. But the real magic is in the recurring revenue metrics. Deferred revenue hit $1.985 billion, up 26% YoY, while calculated billings soared 25% to $784.5 million. This isn't just growth—it's a cash-generating juggernaut.

ZS Total Revenue YoY, Total Revenue

And let's not forget the free cash flow: $119.5 million, or 18% of revenue, proving this isn't a flash-in-the-pan story. The company's cash reserves are now $3 billion, giving it the ammo to fuel acquisitions and innovation.

Why AI Security Is Zscaler's Secret Weapon

Here's where it gets even more exciting: AI is the new battlefield for cybersecurity, and Zscaler is leading the charge. The company's Zero Trust Everywhere strategy isn't just buzz—it's backed by hard data. Its 2025 AI Security Report revealed a 3,000% surge in enterprise AI/ML tool usage over the past year. With that comes a tidal wave of new threats, from AI-powered phishing attacks targeting HR departments to ransomware exploiting outdated VPNs.

Zscaler's answer? AI-powered defenses that outthink the bad guys. Take its Zscaler Asset Exposure Management, part of its Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) suite. This tool doesn't just block threats—it maps every asset in an enterprise's network, identifies vulnerabilities, and stops attacks before they strike. Pair that with the acquisition of Red Canary, a top-tier MDR (Managed Detection and Response) firm, and Zscaler now has real-time, AI-driven threat hunting at scale.

This isn't just about patching holes—it's about building an unbreachable fortress for businesses in the AI era. And the market is paying attention: Zscaler was named a Leader in Gartner's 2025 Security Service Edge (SSE) Magic Quadrant for the fourth straight year.

The AI Threat Landscape? It's a Goldmine for ZS

The numbers don't lie. 92% of organizations are now worried about ransomware due to outdated security protocols, per Zscaler's 2025 VPN Risk Report. Meanwhile, 81% of companies are racing to adopt Zero Trust strategies—a market Zscaler owns.

ZS, CRWD, PANW Deferred Revenue Liabilities (Current)

And let's not forget the $784.5 million in calculated billings—a metric that screams customer expansion and retention. This isn't a company clinging to legacy systems; it's a SaaS powerhouse with recurring revenue streams that will keep growing as enterprises sink deeper into AI adoption.

The Playbook: Leadership, Partnerships, and Global Scale

Zscaler isn't resting on its laurels. The appointment of Kevin Rubin as CFO and Raj Judge to the Board/EVP of Strategy brings decades of tech and finance expertise to the table. Meanwhile, partnerships like the T-Mobile deal—which uses Zscaler's Zero Trust Exchange to secure remote workers—prove its platform's scalability.

Even the government sector is on board: Zscaler's inclusion in the AWS Marketplace for the U.S. Intelligence Community signals a strategic win in a market that demands the highest security standards.

The Bottom Line: This Is a Buy—Now

Zscaler isn't just riding the AI wave; it's surfing it like a tsunami. With $2.66 billion in full-year revenue guidance, non-GAAP net income rising to $3.19 per share, and a 23% non-GAAP tax rate boosting margins, this stock is primed to explode.

Historically, buying ZS on earnings announcement dates and holding for 20 days since 2020 has delivered an average return of 30%, though with a maximum drawdown of nearly 40%, underscoring the need for risk management in volatile markets.

Yes, there are risks—geopolitical tensions, macroeconomic slowdowns—but in a world where every company is racing to adopt AI while fearing cyberattacks, Zscaler's Zero Trust + AI defense stack is the ultimate insurance policy.

ZS Trend
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Bottom line: This is a growth stock with the wind at its back. If you're in tech investing, this is your shot to own the future of cybersecurity. Don't wait—act now before the next earnings report sends this stock soaring.

Backtest the performance of Zscaler (ZS) when buying on the announcement date of quarterly earnings reports and holding for 嘲20 trading days, from 2020 to 2025.

Investor Takeaway: Zscaler's combination of recurring revenue strength, AI-driven innovation, and strategic acquisitions makes it a must-own name in cybersecurity. With a market ripe for disruption and a product suite that's unassailable in its space, ZS isn't just a stock—it's a security blanket for the AI age. Buy now.