Investing Assets & Markets Exchange-Traded Funds Best Cybersecurity ETFs for 2022 Investing in cybersecurity ETFs and which are the best to buy now By Kent Thune Updated on May 16, 2022 Reviewed by Chip Stapleton In This Article View All In This Article Why Invest in Cyber ETFs Best Cyber ETFs The Bottom Line Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Photo: kasto80 / Getty Images Investing in cybersecurity exchange-traded funds, also known as "ETFs," can be a smart way to profit from the growing threat of cybercrime. These crimes include cyberattacks, data breaches, and extortion. You get exposure to a basket of the top cyber stocks in the U.S. and around the world when you invest in a cyber ETF. Cyber ETFs are exchange-traded funds that invest in the stocks of companies in the cybersecurity industry. These may include those involved in the building and management of security systems designed to protect private and public computer networks. Here's what to look for in the best cyber funds. Note Two of the better-known companies involved in the cybersecurity industry are Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) and Cloudfare Inc (NET). Why Invest in Cyber ETFs Cybercrime is on the rise. This trend does not appear to be slowing down, which means that the businesses that help to protect against these crimes and those that aid in reacting to them are in greater demand than ever. The best way to profit from the trend in cybercrime is with cyber ETFs. Certain challenges and trends drive the demand for cybersecurity in the U.S. High Dependence on Information Technology (IT) Systems U.S. agencies and infrastructure sectors, such as energy, transportation systems, communications, and financial services, all depend on IT systems to process data. They carry out operations that are vital to business. Risks to IT Systems are Increasing Risks to IT systems can come in many forms. They can include untrained workers and new attacks. Other risks include the rapid development of technology, such as AI, as well as widespread internet and cellular connectivity. Need to Secure Personal Info The trend of the private sector to collect personal data, such as name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number, has been growing for decades. Securing that information is a top priority. Note The demand for the products and services for the prevention and recovery of these crimes is sure to rise with no end in sight. You can profit from it by investing in one of the best cyber ETFs. Best Cyber ETFs Cybercrime is a relatively new concept, so there are only a handful of cyber ETFs out there. We highlight two that offer you exposure to the stocks of companies in the cybersecurity industry. The best index funds and ETFs often have the lowest expenses. A low expense ratio often translates to better performance over time. Many ETFs within a category invest in the same or similar securities. Our cyber candidates have the same expense ratio in this case. Funds with higher assets, compared to similar ETFs, can offer greater liquidity. Assets of $500 million or more are considered large for cyber funds. Two cyber ETFs pass our screen test when keeping these factors in mind. ETFMG Prime Cyber Security ETF (HACK) HACK claims to be the first and largest cyber ETF on the market. It has about $2.2 billion in assets. The portfolio consists of roughly 60 stocks that have a direct or indirect relationship to the cyber industry. Top holdings include Cloudflare Inc (NET), Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO), Palo Alto Networks Inc. (PANW), and Fortinet Inc. (FTNT). The expense ratio for HACK is 0.60%, or $60 for every $10,000 invested. First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR) This ETF tracks the CTA Cybersecurity Index, which includes 36 stocks of companies that are mostly involved in the building, implementation, and management of cybersecurity for private and public networks, computers, and mobile devices. Assets under management are $5.5 billion. Top holdings include Palo Alto Networks Inc. (PANW), Accenture Plc (ACN), and Cisco (CSCO). Expenses for CIBR are 0.60%. The Bottom Line Cyber ETFs can have long-term growth potential, but the short-term market risk for funds investing in just one small sector of the market should be noted. ETFs that are highly focused on a narrow niche industry should represent just a small portion of a diversified portfolio, such as 5% to 10%. You should first determine whether they're suitable for your risk tolerance. Assess your goals before investing in sector funds like these. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) What do cybersecurity companies do? Cybersecurity companies are involved in the protection of digital data and devices. They can help an organization monitor its networks for security breaches and respond to cyberattacks when they happen. Other companies may research the latest technology and trends to help prevent cyberattacks before they happen. If it has to do with securing your internet-connected devices, then a cybersecurity company is involved. How many cybersecurity jobs are there? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 141,200 information security analysts in 2020. The job is highly in demand, and that figure is expected to grow by roughly 33% by 2030. The Balance does not provide tax, investment, or financial services and advice. The information is being presented without consideration of the investment objectives, risk tolerance, or financial circumstances of any specific investor and might not be suitable for all investors. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. EFTMG. "HACK: ETFMG Prime Cyber Security ETF." First Trust. "First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR)." Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Information Security Analysts."