First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF is an exchange-traded fund (ETF) in the financial sector, within the thematic index fund subsector focused on cybersecurity, with shares traded on Nasdaq. The fund is structured by First Trust Advisors L.P., a U.S.-based asset manager, in partnership with Nasdaq, which is responsible for the methodology of the underlying benchmark index.
The fund was established in a private setting, without direct government involvement. Its initial rationale was to create an investment vehicle providing sector-specific exposure to cybersecurity companies, in response to rising digital risks and the strategic importance of data and systems protection.
The core product consists of an ETF designed to replicate the performance of the NASDAQ CTA Cybersecurity Index. The portfolio is composed of equities of publicly listed companies operating in areas such as network security, data protection, cybersecurity software, authentication services, and digital infrastructure.
The investment scope is international, with predominant exposure to companies headquartered in the United States, alongside holdings in firms based in countries such as Israel, Japan, the United Kingdom, and other relevant technology hubs. The ETF shares are traded in the U.S. equity market.
Market drivers include the expansion of economic digitalization, the increase in cyberattacks, corporate and government spending on information security, evolving data protection regulations, technological innovation, and competition among specialized digital solution providers.
Operational scale is defined by assets under management, the number of institutional and retail investors, and average daily trading volume. The fund does not employ its own staff and operates through specialized financial service providers.
The operational structure relies on passive portfolio management, with periodic rebalancing in accordance with the index methodology, asset custody, fiduciary administration, independent auditing, and market makers responsible for providing liquidity.
The primary trading ticker is CIBR, listed on Nasdaq, representing the shares of the First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF in the U.S. equity market.
History and foundation
The ETF was launched in 2015 in the United States, with the introduction of the First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF by First Trust Advisors L.P., aligned with the development of thematic indices focused on technology and digital security.In its early years of operation, key challenges included building liquidity, increasing market awareness, and adapting the portfolio to the rapid evolution of the cybersecurity sector. Early achievements included a gradual expansion of the investor base and growth in assets under management.
Expansion and growth were driven by rising institutional interest in thematic investment strategies, increased visibility of the cybersecurity sector, and the inclusion of new eligible companies in the benchmark index, enhancing sector diversification.
Historical milestones include the ETF’s launch in 2015, periodic methodological reviews of the NASDAQ CTA Cybersecurity Index, and the fund’s consolidation as one of the thematic vehicles dedicated exclusively to cybersecurity in the U.S. market.
Between 2020 and 2024, notable developments included heightened financial market volatility, stronger demand for digital security-related assets, the impact of the pandemic on global digitalization, portfolio adjustments resulting from mergers within the technology sector, and variations in share performance influenced by technology cycles and global macroeconomic conditions.
Additional Information
The Company First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF (United States), is listed on Nasdaq with a market value of $ -, having an equity of $ -.
The Company is listedthe in the sector of Others and categorized in industry of Others.
In the last 12 months the Company had a revenue of $ -, which generated a loss in the amount of $ -.
As for its main indicators, the Company has a P/E ratio of -, a P/BV ratio of - and in the last 12 months the Company did not pay dividends.
The Company is traded internationally through the ticker CIBR.