Analysis of Investment Value and Replicability of Success Models in the Cybersecurity Sector for 2026

In 2025, the cybersecurity sector delivered positive returns. The Amplify Cybersecurity ETF (HACK) had a year-to-date return of 11.96%, and the First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR) had a 1-year return of 14.62%—though both were below the tech sector average of 22.33% [2][3]. In terms of market size, the global cybersecurity market is projected to reach $272.62 billion in 2025 and grow to $500.7 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 12.9% [5].

The cybersecurity industry is still in a relatively early stage with broad future growth space [4]. Growth drivers include increasing frequency and complexity of cyberattacks, widespread adoption of cloud services and hybrid work models, enhanced global regulatory compliance requirements, digital transformation progress, and AI-driven demand growth [5][6][7]. The generative AI cybersecurity market will achieve a CAGR of 33.60% from 2026 to 2033, with new technology areas like AI security and Zero Trust architecture becoming key growth engines [1][6][7]. Leading companies such as CrowdStrike, Fortinet, and Zscaler still have growth potential [7]. Although the current 12-month forward price-to-sales ratio (12x) is higher than that of the S&P 500 (5.3x) and the computer technology sector (6.69x), the high growth potential may support the valuation [10].

The success model of the cybersecurity sector (driven by high demand, technological innovation, and regulatory support) can be replicated by industries with similar characteristics:

1. Healthcare Data Security
   : Accelerated digitalization of medical data has led to a surge in demand for data privacy and security [5].
2. Artificial Intelligence Security
   : Highlighted security issues of AI models and systems indicate huge market potential [1][7].
3. IoT Security
   : Widespread adoption of IoT devices drives growth in demand for device and data security [6].
4. Connected Car Security
   : Development of autonomous driving and smart cars boosts demand for cybersecurity.
5. Data Privacy-related Services
   : Strengthened data protection regulations increase demand for related services [5][8].

1. AI Integration Will Be a Core Growth Driver
   : The application of generative AI in cybersecurity will significantly improve detection efficiency and protection capabilities, driving high industry growth [1][7].
2. Regulatory Compliance Is a Long-term Support
   : Continuous improvement of global data protection regulations will keep driving enterprises’ cybersecurity investments [5][8].
3. Vertical Expansion Is a Trend
   : Cybersecurity technologies are penetrating vertical sectors like healthcare, automotive, and IoT, expanding market space [5][6][11].

1. Valuation Risk
   : Current sector valuation is higher than market average; need to monitor whether future growth can support the valuation [10].
2. Technology Risk
   : Rapid iteration of cybersecurity technologies may render existing solutions obsolete.
3. Competition Risk
   : Intense industry competition; new entrants may disrupt the existing market structure.

1. AI Security Niche Market
   : High growth potential of generative AI cybersecurity market [1].
2. Zero Trust Architecture Promotion
   : Enterprise digital transformation drives demand growth for Zero Trust [6].
3. Vertical Sector Expansion
   : Explosive demand for cybersecurity in healthcare, automotive, IoT, etc. [5][6][11].

The cybersecurity sector performed steadily in 2025 and will continue to grow in 2026 and beyond supported by multiple drivers. New technology areas like AI security and Zero Trust will be industry growth points, and leading companies still have investment value. Industries such as healthcare data security, AI security, and IoT security have the potential to replicate the cybersecurity sector’s success model, but adjustments need to be made based on their respective technical characteristics and regulatory environments.

The overall sentiment of the cybersecurity sector is optimistic. Analysts generally believe the industry will continue to grow, with AI-driven demand as the main growth driver, and leading companies still have significant growth potential [2][3][7].

• Need to closely monitor the matching degree between current industry valuation and future growth [10].
• Rapid technological iteration may affect the competitiveness of existing solutions.
• Intensified industry competition may squeeze corporate profit margins.