Cybersecurity is a massive challenge. According to IBM's (IBM 0.11%) Cost of a Data Breach 2024 report, the average cost of a data breach has risen 10% over the past year alone to $4.88 million, the biggest one-year jump since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

A steady migration to cloud-based IT infrastructure and a hybrid workforce that spends significant time outside the office aren't making security any easier. As a result, cybersecurity is a big and fast-growing industry.

Someone using a computer, an illustrated lock is in the foreground.
Image source: Getty Images.

While there is clearly an opportunity here, picking the best cybersecurity stocks can be tricky. Plus, individual cybersecurity stocks can be rather volatile, especially in the event of a data breach or other high-profile incident.

It can also be tough to know where to look. There are a lot of companies operating in this space, each with its own take on structuring a security platform. That's why investing in a cybersecurity ETF (exchange-traded fund) might make sense for you.

Top cybersecurity ETFs

Six top cybersecurity ETFs for 2024

Given the growing demand for cybersecurity, it's no surprise there are a number of ETF options to choose from. Here are the top choices for 2024 and beyond. 

Data source: First Trust, ETF Managers Group, Global X, WisdomTree, iShares, and Vanguard. Data as of Aug. 19, 2024. 
Exchange-Traded Fund Number of Stocks in Fund Annual Expense Ratio Assets Under Management
First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF (NASDAQ:CIBR) 29 0.59% $6.97 billion
Amplify Cyber Security ETF (NYSEMKT:HACK) 24 0.6% $1.74 billion
Global X Cybersecurity ETF (NASDAQ:BUG) 23 0.5% $794 million
iShares Cybersecurity and Tech ETF (NYSEMKT:IHAK) 34 0.47% $891 million
WisdomTree Cybersecurity Fund (NASDAQ:WCBR) 25 0.45% $108 million
Vanguard Information Technology ETF (NYSEMKT:VGT) 318 0.1% $88.6 billion

1. First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF

1. First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF

With almost $6.6 billion in assets under management, the First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF is by far the largest pure-play ETF in this part of the technology sector. First Trust is a large financial services firm offering a variety of investment products, and its cybersecurity offering is one of the longest-tenured in the ETF world. Its inception dates back to 2015, and shares of the fund have more than doubled since then.

The First Trust Cybersecurity ETF is currently made up of 29 cybersecurity company stocks, almost all of which are listed on a U.S. stock exchange. A handful of stocks are in adjacent industries, such as aerospace and defense, where security services are prominently featured.

At the time of this writing, the top three holdings (which make up about 27% of the fund's assets) are large tech companies Infosys (INFY 0.39%), Broadcom (AVGO -0.27%), and Palo Alto Networks (PANW 1.3%). The ETF is rebalanced quarterly and has an annual expense ratio of 0.59% ($5.90 in fees are deducted from the fund's performance each year for every $1,000 invested). 

2. Amplify Cybersecurity ETF

2. Amplify Cybersecurity ETF

The Amplify Cybersecurity ETF has been around since 2014 and has amassed $1.7 billion in assets. It is also rebalanced quarterly and has performed very well since its inception. Its annual expense ratio is 0.6%. 

The big difference between it and First Trust's offering, though, is that the Amplify Cybersecurity ETF is made up of just 24 stocks. That means more portfolio concentration of top names in the industry and less of the fund's investments spread out into smaller companies and international investments. There is significant overlap in the portfolios, as Broadcom and Palo Alto Networks are the Amplify fund's two largest holdings.

3. Global X Cybersecurity ETF

3. Global X Cybersecurity ETF

A relative newcomer, the Global X Cybersecurity ETF was launched in late 2019. It has quickly scaled to $763 million in investor funds and has outperformed both First Trust and ETFMG since it launched.  

The Global X Cybersecurity ETF is one of the most concentrated on this list, with just 23 stocks. It is heavily weighted toward large cybersecurity software companies. At the time of this writing, Palo Alto Networks, Fortinet (FTNT 9.42%), and Check Point Software (CHKP -0.55%) make up over 20% of the fund's total assets. Like the other ETFs here, Global X's product pays little in the way of dividends since the cybersecurity industry is focused primarily on growth. However, it has outperformed its peers in its short history.

4. iShares Cybersecurity and Tech ETF

4. iShares Cybersecurity and Tech ETF

Also launched in 2019, the iShares Cybersecurity and Tech ETF comes from one of the largest financial institutions in the world, BlackRock (NYSE:BLK). It is composed of 40 different cybersecurity company stocks and other tech companies involved in cybersecurity, and BlackRock charges a lower annual fee than many of its peers, at just 0.47%.  

This ETF also isn't the most security-focused ETF around. While many of the large cybersecurity players are in the portfolio, it also has a smattering of cloud computing names that are in security-adjacent niches, such as networking equipment designer Juniper Networks (JNPR -0.21%).

5. WisdomTree Cybersecurity Fund 

5. WisdomTree Cybersecurity Fund 

The WisdomTree Cybersecurity Fund is the newest ETF on this list, with an inception date of January 2021. While the company has only accumulated just over $100 million in assets so far, it has a competitively priced offering at only 0.45% in annual fees.

This ETF is one of the most concentrated funds here and is spread across just 25 cybersecurity stocks. Hashicorp (HCP 0.03%) is the largest position, while Palo Alto Networks (PANW 1.3%) and CommVault Systems (CVLT -0.72%) round out the top three spots. The stocks within this ETF are rebalanced twice a year.

6. Vanguard Information Technology ETF

6. Vanguard Information Technology ETF

Vanguard, whose founder, Jack Bogle, invented the index fund in 1976, doesn't have a specific ETF solely focused on cybersecurity. However, the Vanguard Information Technology ETF is worth mentioning. It is a broad-based index of the U.S. technology sector and is full of cybersecurity companies and other large businesses involved in security in some form.

With an annual expense ratio of just 0.1% and 318 total holdings, the Vanguard Information Technology ETF is a great way for investors to get passive exposure to the development of cybersecurity, along with other growth trends in technology, such as cloud computing and semiconductor designers. The fund has been around since 2004 and has averaged 13.5% annually in total returns.

Related investing topics

Cybersecurity is a long-term investment

With computing technology infiltrating every corner of the global economy, cybersecurity is poised to be one of the most important secular growth trends of the next decade and beyond. Individual stocks that develop security technology services will be volatile, but investing in a basket of them could yield big returns over the long term. An ETF is a quick and easy way to get investment portfolio exposure to this critical segment of the tech sector.

FAQ

Cybersecurity ETF FAQ

What is the best cybersecurity ETF?

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There are several great cybersecurity ETFs. The best fit for you depends on a few factors, such as whether you want a pure-play cybersecurity ETF, how much portfolio concentration you want, and how concerned with expense ratios (fees) you are.

Are cybersecurity ETFs a good investment?

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The global cybersecurity market is expected to grow rapidly over the next decade or so. Cybersecurity ETFs can be a great way to get exposure to this exciting market opportunity without too much reliance on any individual company.

How do I invest in cybersecurity ETFs?

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To buy shares of a cybersecurity ETF, you'll need to open and fund a brokerage account. The best bet is to research several top brokers and see which has the platform and features that are the best fit for you.

Matt Frankel has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Check Point Software Technologies, Fortinet, and Palo Alto Networks. The Motley Fool recommends Broadcom and International Business Machines. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.