Kate Moore
Citi Wealth Chief Investment Officer Kate Moore is making a bullish case for cybersecurity, arguing that businesses need to dramatically increase spending to keep pace with the growing risks created by artificial intelligence.
Speaking with CNBC, Moore said cybersecurity has become one of the most compelling long-term investment themes as AI adoption accelerates across industries. She contends that corporate technology budgets have not kept up with the expanding security challenges posed by AI-powered systems.
Moore said the rapid rise of AI agents is creating an unprecedented threat landscape.
“We’re not talking about a single kind of cyber attack or a series of people that could be engaging in it, but almost infinite AI agents across a huge attack surface,” she said.
According to Moore, AI-driven attacks have the potential to expose sensitive corporate data, disrupt business operations and inflict lasting reputational damage, making cybersecurity a higher strategic priority for companies.
Despite strong gains in cybersecurity and enterprise software stocks this year, Moore believes the sector still offers attractive long-term investment opportunities. She described cybersecurity as a durable secular growth theme that investors should continue adding to their portfolios.
Her outlook aligns with Citi Wealth’s broader investment strategy, which remains constructive on equities. Moore said stock market performance should continue to be driven primarily by earnings growth and corporate fundamentals rather than expanding valuations, noting that earnings have fueled much of this year’s market gains while valuation multiples have generally compressed.
Moore also pointed to the large amount of cash still sitting on the sidelines as investors wrestle with fears of buying after a prolonged rally. However, she cautioned that recent market pullbacks have been brief, limiting opportunities for investors waiting for significant corrections.
“Don’t blink,” Moore said. “The longer you sit on the sidelines, the fewer your opportunities to buy on pullbacks.”
Investors seeking exposure to the cybersecurity sector can do so through exchange-traded funds including the First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF (NASDAQ: CIBR), ETFMG Prime Cyber Security ETF (NYSEARCA: HACK), iShares Cybersecurity and Tech ETF (NYSEARCA: IHAK), Global X Cybersecurity ETF (NASDAQ: BUG), WisdomTree Cybersecurity Fund (NASDAQ: WCBR) and Themes Cybersecurity ETF (NASDAQ: SPAM).
