As hacking incidents targeting the financial sector and major corporations increase, opportunities for the domestic security industry are expanding. Large companies in sectors such as semiconductors and defense, which already have security systems in place, are significantly boosting their investments. Meanwhile, local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), previously hesitant to invest in security, are now seeking to adopt new solutions.
According to the security industry on November 11, growth trends are evident in the performance of major domestic security firms. An analysis of the first half of this year for 27 publicly listed cybersecurity companies in South Korea revealed that 22 of them (81.5%) experienced revenue increases compared to the same period last year.
Security firms report a rise in inquiries from both existing clients looking to enhance their security systems and new clients seeking solutions. Notably, industries with high export ratios, such as semiconductors and defense, are showing a strong push to reinforce their existing security frameworks. These companies have consistently invested in security in the past, but as cyberattacks become more sophisticated, they are actively working to supplement their systems and broaden the application of security solutions.
Significant changes are also occurring among local SMEs. Companies that previously did not prioritize security investments are now inquiring about related solutions. Export-oriented manufacturers are finding it increasingly difficult to delay security investments as global clients and primary contractors demand a certain level of information security standards from their partners. Failing to meet these standards could impact their business relationships and entry into supply chains.
Performance improvements are being observed across major security firms. AhnLab reported consolidated revenues of 79.5 billion won and an operating profit of 10.9 billion won for the third quarter, marking increases of 23.1% and 38.7%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. Cumulatively, the operating profit for the first three quarters reached 18.2 billion won, up 47.3% year-on-year.
Genieus achieved its highest-ever performance in the first half of this year, with a consolidated operating profit of 4.31 billion won, a staggering increase of 294.3% compared to the previous year. Notably, revenue from small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) doubled, indicating a growing demand for security solutions beyond large corporations and the financial sector. Fasoo AI also reported a revenue of 22.1 billion won in the first half, reflecting a 15.7% growth, and turned a profit with an operating income of 1 billion won.
Industry insiders note that the direction of corporate investments is changing. In the past, the focus was primarily on network security to prevent hacking or external intrusions. However, there is now a growing interest in technologies that protect data from being accessed or utilized externally, even if information is leaked. This shift acknowledges the reality that completely preventing attacks is increasingly difficult.
Document security (DRM), a key focus for Fasoo AI, exemplifies this trend. DRM applies encryption and access controls to documents, preventing unauthorized users from opening or utilizing files. Even if an attacker infiltrates internal systems and attempts to exfiltrate documents, they would find it challenging to access the content without the necessary permissions.
An industry representative stated, "Given the realistic limitations in completely blocking hacking attempts, there is a growing demand for technologies that can protect data even if it is leaked. Recently, inquiries have also increased regarding potential information leaks that could occur when internal documents or personal data are transmitted to external AI services."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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