Why You Should Invest in Internet Security (No, Really Invest)

According to a study from the end of 2017, a new specimen of malware emerges online every 4.2 seconds. There are billions of malware variants floating around the Web, and there is little that cybersecurity professionals can do to eradicate any of it. Instead, you and other users like you must fend for yourselves, building defenses rather than encouraging any sort of offense against the hordes of cybercriminals around the world.

It should go without saying that you need some kind of Internet security software to keep your devices safe while you navigate the Web, but many are finding that protection from attack isn’t the only benefit of Internet security. In fact, the recent explosion of malware has kicked the infosec industry into high gear, creating a brand new, booming market ripe for investment.

All About the Internet Security Market

Markets around the world have been booming, and the tech industry at large is growing by leaps and bounds. However, many investors are hard-pressed to find lucrative investment opportunities at rock bottom prices; many of the most obvious themes, such as the cloud, Big Data and artificial intelligence, have been growing steadily for years now, and it seems unlikely that investment at current prices will pay off big — except, of course, for Internet security.

Though cybersecurity has been increasing in prominence for decades — indeed, ever since the first intrepid hackers broke into businesses in the ‘80s and ‘90s — Internet security is still a relatively new enterprise.

While computer security includes protecting devices from infiltration, and scanning for signs of malicious code, Internet security relates specifically to protecting devices from threats coming through the Web. As the importance of the Internet has grown, so, too, has hackers’ interest in using the Web to gain access and information illicitly.  As a result, there’s been a frenzied move by businesses and consumer users alike toward securing this front.

As any investor knows, the best investments are those that everyone needs and that won’t lose value any time soon. Internet security targets both of those requirements squarely: Not only will the Internet remain an invaluable tool for society, but rates of cybercrime have skyrocketed in recent years — increasing by more than a third every year.

Already, hundreds of billions of dollars are invested in online assets, $43.3 billion in cloud computing alone, and now we are likely to see a race toward protecting all this information that is easily accessible through the Web. That’s why Internet security is poised to receive significant growth in coming years — and why you should invest in cybersecurity tech stocks ASAP.

What You Can Do Today

Investing in any market requires either some firsthand experience or extensive research. In this case, it doesn’t hurt to do a little of both.

You can start by acquiring Internet protection for your devices and network, which will require you to survey available Internet security providers, become familiar with their product and service offerings and understand their business models. Ideally, you will come out of this experience knowing more about what Internet security entails, so you can then make informed investment decisions.

Next, you should cast your net wider. You can subscribe to Internet security publications to gain awareness of existing and emerging market trends — plus, knowledge of current outbreaks of malware that will drive most users to purchase greater protection for their systems. You might also follow a few prominent infosec professionals on social media to glean what is important to experts in the field and gain an edge when predicting how the market will move.

Finally, you should extend your research to the actual market. Perhaps the safest action for inexperienced investors is putting money into a mutual fund, which offers greater stability thanks to the diversity of stocks included.

Mutual funds come in all shapes and sizes, and you should be able to find an enticing option within the cybersecurity realm — but it is unlikely you will find one so specific as merely Internet security.

For a slightly more lucrative investment, you can look to exchange-traded funds, or ETFs. An ETF tracks an index or a basket of assets, like a mutual fund, but it is traded like a common stock and boasts higher liquidity and lower fees. Recently, a number of attractive ETFs have made attractive moves, including ETFMG Prime Cyber Security (HACK) and EFT First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity (CIBR).

Investment in any market is a risk, but given the dire need for enhanced protection across the Web, Internet security seems like a safe bet.