Cybersecurity spending has soared since the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizations have faced new security challenges as cloud computing and remote work have become essential and widely used. As a result, many cybersecurity stocks were top performers in 2020 and 2021, boosted by strong demand for next-gen security software.
A bear market in 2022 clobbered some of the highest-flying stocks, followed by a wide range of shifting results. However, cybersecurity often bounces back quickly from sudden market challenges, and the industry remains a top investment theme for the decade.
Why should you consider investing in cybersecurity stocks?
According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, the number of data breaches set a record in 2023, with the number of incidents jumping 71% from the previous high in 2021. At the same time, the total number of individual victims affected decreased by 16%, reflecting a shift from mass attacks to more targeted fraud and scams. The attack volume stayed at this elevated level in 2024, though the victim count tripled year over year. The hackers are quick to adjust their tactics as the cybersecurity defenses get tougher.
It shouldn't be surprising that global spending on cybersecurity is expected to exceed $200 billion per year by 2028 and will likely continue to be a high-growth industry for years, according to research from IDC. Cybersecurity stocks are a red-hot niche of the tech industry, so knowing how to invest in them can yield some big returns in the decade ahead.
Top cybersecurity stocks in 2025
Here are some of the top cybersecurity stocks to own in the long run:
| Name and ticker | Market cap | Dividend yield | Industry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ:PANW) | $145.1 billion | 0.00% | Software |
| CrowdStrike (NASDAQ:CRWD) | $126.5 billion | 0.00% | Software |
| Fortinet (NASDAQ:FTNT) | $65.0 billion | 0.00% | Software |
| Zscaler (NASDAQ:ZS) | $49.1 billion | 0.00% | Software |
| Datadog (NASDAQ:DDOG) | $54.5 billion | 0.00% | Software |
| Okta (NASDAQ:OKTA) | $15.8 billion | 0.00% | IT Services |
| Akamai Technologies (NASDAQ:AKAM) | $10.9 billion | 0.00% | IT Services |
| SentinelOne (NYSE:S) | $5.9 billion | 0.00% | Software |
Cloud security, identity management, and legacy security vendors
As cloud computing has quickly grown into an industry worth hundreds of billions annually, sales of cloud-native (built-in and for the cloud) security software have skyrocketed. The leaders in this space have some of the best long-term potential:
1. CrowdStrike Holdings
NASDAQ: CRWD
Key Data Points
A cloud-native software company, CrowdStrike Holdings (CRWD -0.63%) provides endpoint security -- protection for devices such as laptops, PCs, smartphones, and any other device connected to a network. Because it's cloud-based, CrowdStrike is particularly well suited for supporting remote work.
CrowdStrike's software uses machine learning to detect security breaches and hunt down threats. It's also easy to deploy to the millions of people working from home and the billions of machines connected to the internet.
The company has steadily increased the number of modules on its platform to help its customers. It also has new integration agreements with other tech companies to make data protection more consistent across an organization's IT infrastructure.
The premium-priced stock was hit hard in 2022, and its security network suffered a painful outage in July 2024. CrowdStrike's sales have been booming nonetheless, and the artificial intelligence (AI)-driven stock rose 16% in 2024 despite the outage. The company is also highly profitable in terms of free cash flow. In an increasingly mobile world with more devices continually coming online, CrowdStrike is poised to continue growing at a brisk rate.
2. Zscaler
NASDAQ: ZS
Key Data Points
Another cloud-native security vendor, Zscaler (ZS -0.80%), works in tandem with endpoint security services to help keep data secure. The company has been increasing its sales at a rapid pace and is another of the largest pure-play cybersecurity stocks as measured by market cap. The stock sold off sharply in 2022, bounced back in 2023, and took another hit the next year. The roller coaster ride notwithstanding, Zscaler continues to deliver profitable revenue growth.
Zscaler started with a software-as-a-service (SaaS) product designed for network protection in the modern cloud computing era, but it has since added new internet security and end-user monitoring products. End-user monitoring is increasing with so many people now working remotely. With global spending on cloud computing expected to exceed $1 trillion annually this decade, Zscaler is well positioned to profit from a massive secular growth trend.
3. Okta
NASDAQ: OKTA
Key Data Points
Okta (OKTA -2.72%) is a pioneer of identity and access management, which rethinks traditional security by using zero-trust architecture. This type of identity management constantly requires user verification before allowing access to data and applications. If legacy security is a castle with a wall and a moat, zero-trust security acts more like a counterspy agency.
In an increasingly mobile and cloud-based world, Okta's identity management software has been in high demand. Businesses often have a complicated web of stakeholders, including employees, third-party contractors, suppliers, and customers.
Okta is a leader in this branch of security. However, a cyberattack in January 2022 affected two of its largest customers, accelerating the stock's decline during the inflation-driven bear market. Even so, Okta remains in a long-term growth mode as new customers adopt its software to manage identity and access security.
4. SentinelOne
NYSE: S
Key Data Points
SentinelOne (S -2.61%) is another recent pure-play cybersecurity company to be publicly listed. Its initial public offering (IPO) in June 2021 raised $1.2 billion in cash and valued the company at $10 billion, making SentinelOne's IPO the largest ever for a cybersecurity company.
A rough go for the stock market in 2022 and slowing revenue growth at SentinelOne sent the stock below its IPO price, and an 88% price jump in 2023 was not enough to regain the IPO level. Despite the slowdown, this small company still more than doubled its sales in 2022, followed by strong increases in 2023 and 2024.
As a result of this rapid expansion, SentinelOne is also making steady progress toward turning a profit. It operates a cloud-based endpoint security platform, which puts it in direct competition with CrowdStrike. Its ability to automatically detect and resolve cybersecurity threats is well-received in the market.
5. Palo Alto Networks
NASDAQ: PANW
Key Data Points
Hailing from an era that predates cloud technology, Palo Alto Networks' (NYSE:PANW) specialty is rooted in firewalls -- devices that protect traffic into and out of physical locations such as offices and data centers. While its legacy services still experience plenty of demand, the real growth is in the cloud.
The company's highly profitable platform has helped it acquire more than a dozen smaller cloud-native businesses in the past few years. As a result, Palo Alto Networks has given its security operations a serious makeover.
Management predicts double-digit percentage revenue growth in the years ahead for its next-gen security portfolio geared for the cloud era. This steady growth and market leadership helped make its stock one of the best performers among cybersecurity companies in the post-COVID-19 era.
Palo Alto Networks is the largest pure-play cybersecurity operation in terms of revenue and market cap. Now also a leading cloud security provider, this legacy business is highly competitive in the cybersecurity industry. Shares trade for a relative value compared to its younger, high-flying, cloud-native rivals.
6. Fortinet
NASDAQ: FTNT
Key Data Points
As a high-growth segment of the tech industry, cybersecurity offers investors lots of upside in the decade ahead.
Fortinet is also a top provider of firewalls. Its best-in-class hardware continues generating more revenue as many organizations turn to Fortinet for help building new data centers and 5G mobile networks. For investors seeking a balance of sales and profitability growth, Fortinet stands out as one of the best security stocks on the market.
Infrastructure monitoring and content delivery networks
Cloud computing creates, uses, and stores more digital data, and an organization's IT infrastructure can quickly become more complex by an order of magnitude. Companies that help monitor these cloud-based operations are critical to cybersecurity, as are companies that manage the web content and apps themselves. Here are some top names to consider:
1. Datadog
NASDAQ: DDOG
Key Data Points
2. Akamai
NASDAQ: AKAM
Key Data Points
Top cybersecurity ETFs in 2025
If you'd rather not have to choose among individual cybersecurity stocks, you can consider several exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that enable investors to participate in the growth of the cybersecurity industry as a whole. Our top picks for cybersecurity ETFs include:
1. First Trust NASDAQ CEA Cybersecurity ETF
NASDAQ: CIBR
Key Data Points
2. Amplify Cybersecurity ETF
3. Global X Cybersecurity ETF
How to invest in cybersecurity stocks
When considering how to identify the best cybersecurity stocks, remember that cloud-native companies have a natural competitive advantage with the latest software technology. However, legacy companies generate ample profit margins and have the cash to make updates. Companies monitoring cloud-based operations and those managing web content and apps are also increasingly important to companies' online security.
Cybersecurity ETFs are another great option and can be purchased with your favorite cybersecurity stocks. For all your investments, stay focused on the long-term potential of these fast-growing companies since individual stock prices can be highly volatile. Technology that helps the digital world stay safe is rapidly evolving and proliferating, and cybersecurity companies will reap the financial benefits accordingly.
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