Since Cisco CSCO provides high-end hardware that connects computing devices at both the edge and core of the network, it can add value to its offerings by making the network more secure.

What’s Going for the Market Right Now

With Internet of Things (IoT) devices continuing to grow and enterprises increasingly adopting policies like bring-your-own device (BYOD), the number of network end-points is increasing rapidly. On the other side, the concept of shared resources in the cloud to be accessed by these devices has greatly increased the need for adequate security at the core.

The changing work environment has greatly increased data flow between devices and the cloud and between each other. The advent of autonomous cars will increase these data flows exponentially, as each car will generate a huge amount of data.

Data is extremely important these days because when analyzed, it can help businesses make better-informed decisions. So securing the data is in the interest of individuals on account of privacy concerns, corporations on business considerations and the government on intelligence considerations.

President Obama recently increased the budget for cybersecurity. But with President Trump taking office last month, cybersecurity is expected to become an area of even greater focus. The draft cybersecurity order, which he has yet to sign, seeks to overhaul a policy under which each government agency was responsible for its own networks.

The responsibility for hacks will now be placed on the White House's Budget and Management Office after a comprehensive review of the most critical hacking vulnerabilities in military, intelligence and civilian government computer systems is completed within 60 days of the day the order is signed. What’s more, the Commerce Secretary will do the necessary to push the private sector to increase “investments in cybersecurity tools, services and software."

Cybersecurity Ventures reportedly estimates that the global cybersecurity space will grow at a CAGR of 9.8% from around $106.3 billion in 2015 to around $170.2 billion by 2020. Approximately $1 trillion is expected to be spent globally on cybersecurity from 2017 to 2021.

IDC estimates that worldwide businesses will spend $101.6 billion on cybersecurity in 2020, a 38% increase from the estimated $73.7 billion spend in 2016 with the banking sector spending the most. Geographically, the U.S. will lead with $31.5 billion on cybersecurity tools and services and Western Europe will be second with $19.5 billion.

The Asia/Pacific region, while still a smaller contributor, will grow the fastest in spending by 2020. (India will be one of the fastest-growing countries, with the Data Security Council of India [DSCI] estimating that the market will grow from $4 billion in 2015 to $35 billion in 2025.) Middle East, Africa and Western Europe will follow Asia.

As a result of the solid prospects, venture funding for security startups is on the rise. CB Insights estimates that VC firms invested $3.1 billion in a record 279 cybersecurity startups in 2016.

The Cisco Solution

Being the dominant provider of high-end networking gear, Cisco has been under pressure to make some big changes. The most important factors driving these changes are increased competition from smaller companies offering traditional products and a fresh challenge from companies selling industry standard hardware coupled with sophisticated software (software-defined networking, or SDN).

Cisco has the resources to expand into adjacencies, and it has had mixed success with these initiatives. One area that has paid dividends and is likely to continue to do so is security as seen in the table below:

Cisco Security Revenue Growth Trajectory