How you can cash in on cybersecurity (without becoming a hacker yourself)

If you’ve ever tried to reset a password and ended up locked out of your own account after swearing at the screen, the cat, and possibly at two-factor authentication, congratulations—you already understand why cybersecurity is booming. The world has never been more digital, more connected, or more vulnerable to someone called “xX_DarkLord47_Xx” trying to steal your details. And because of that, cybersecurity has quietly become one of the most resilient, fastest-growing, and downright essential investment themes—even for everyday investors

NMTBP shows you how to get a slice of the action, without needing to wear a hoodie in a dark basement, tapping away at code

Why Cybersecurity is big business

Britain is a global target for cyber criminals. Why? Because:

We’re a financial hub
We love online banking
Half the country apparently still uses ‘password123’

And when the NHS, of all institutions, gets hit by ransomware (WannaCry 2017), it becomes painfully clear: cybersecurity is no longer optional. It’s an economic necessity

For investors, that means one thing: huge, reliable demand. Even when markets wobble, companies can’t slash security spending unless they want to see their CEO on the 10 o’clock news explaining why every customer’s data is now on the dark web

How you can profit (without breaking the law)

Buy shares in UK Cybersecurity companies

You don’t need to be a tech whiz to own part of the companies protecting Britain’s digital underpants

A few UK-listed choices:

Darktrace (DARK) – Cambridge boffins doing AI-powered threat detection. Think ‘robot bouncer’
NCC Group (NCC) – The cyber bodyguards of the business world
BAE Systems (BA.) – Not just jets and submarines. They also run a massive cyber division

Think of this approach as owning part of the digital fire brigade

Prefer a safer (and lazier) option? Buy a Cybersecurity ETF

If you prefer your investments reliably diversified, then ETFs are your friend.

These UK-friendly, UCITS-approved ETFs give you global exposure to dozens of cyber companies:

They’re like buffet plates loaded with cyber goodness: a bit of CrowdStrike, a dash of Palo Alto, a sprinkle of Okta. No need to pick the winner—just own the whole race

Feeling adventurous? UK Cybersecurity Startups

The UK has a thriving cyber startup scene, especially in:

London
Cambridge
Manchester
Belfast

And because many startups qualify for EIS/SEIS tax relief, your risk is cushioned.
Think Dragons’ Den—but with fewer egos and more code

These include:

AI security
Fraud detection
Identity verification
Quantum-safe encryption

Not for the faint-hearted, but the upside can be chef’s kiss

Why this sector is recession-proof

Companies don’t cut Cybersecurity budgets. Ever
Cut marketing?

Even during downturns, companies must:

keep hackers out
keep regulators happy
keep customers from panicking

This is why cyber stocks and funds tend to be remarkably resilient compared to many tech sectors

How much should I invest?

A sensible starting point:
5–10% of a growth-oriented portfolio
(Or more if you’re tech-savvy and enjoy a bit of higher-risk satellite investing)

Use the “three-layer” approach:

Core: ETF like ISPY or CYBR
Support: A couple of UK shares (Darktrace, NCC)
Spice: A small punt in an EIS/SEIS cyber startup

Balanced, diversified, and suitably British

A Touch of Humour: The Cybersecurity Irony

Let’s be honest: We spend thousands protecting ourselves from hackers…while still clicking ‘Remind me later’ on every software update

Investing in cybersecurity means you’re at least making money off your own bad habits

Cybersecurity isn’t just the future—it’s the present, the infrastructure, and the unsung hero keeping us all online. For private investors, it offers a rare combination of: