Worldwide end-user spending on information security is projected to reach $213 billion in 2025, up from $193bn in 2024, according to Gartner.

Spending is estimated to increase 12.5% in 2026 to total $240bn, the analysis firm predicts.

“Established security spending will continue as normal, but some organisations are being more cautious with any new security spending in this highly uncertain and challenging climate,” said Ruggero Contu, senior director analyst at Gartner.

“However, higher defence budgets, rising threats, increasing regulatory pressure and better cybersecurity awareness – especially among small and medium-sized businesses – will keep cybersecurity spending strong in the medium to long term.”

Security software is the fastest growing segment because more companies continue to move from on-premises to cloud-based systems, which brings new security risks.

Cloud security posture management and cloud access security brokers are the main drivers in this segment.

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In the forecast period, rising threats and the expanding use of AI and generative AI (GenAI) — by both internal users of AI and attackers — will remain key growth drivers.

Network security is expected to reach $23.27m, with security services to reach $83.8m, and security software to reach $105.94m in 2025.

By 2026, network security is projected to reach $25.83m, with security services to reach $92.78m, and security software to reach $121.15m.