Security stocks

The best security stocks depend on your portfolio and investment goals — while volatility can be ideal for day traders, long-term investors will want to look to stocks with steadier gains over time.

How to buy security stocks

Sign up with an online broker or platform to invest in one of more of these security stocks.

1. Compare share trading platforms. If you're a beginner, look for a platform with low commissions, expert ratings and investment tools to track your portfolio. Use our comparison table to narrow down top brokers by fees and bonuses.
2. Open and fund your brokerage account. Complete an application with your personal and financial details, like your ID and bank information. Fund your account with a bank transfer, credit card or debit card.
3. Search for the stock you're interested in. Find the stock by name or ticker symbol, like NSSC or OSIS. Research its history to confirm it's a solid investment against your financial goals.
4. Purchase now or later. Invest in the online and physical security industry today with a market order or use a limit order to delay your purchase until the stock reaches your desired price. To spread out your purchase, look into dollar-cost averaging, which smooths out buying at consistent intervals and amounts.
5. Decide on how many to buy. Weigh your budget against a diversified portfolio that can minimize risk through the market's ups and downs. You may be able to buy fractional shares, depending on your broker.
6. Check in on your investment. Congratulations, you own a part of a security company. Optimize your portfolio by tracking how your stock — and even the online and physical security sector as a whole — performs with an eye on the long term. You may be eligible for dividends and shareholder voting rights on directors and management that can affect your stock.

Compare security stocks

We round up a selection of stocks in or related to the online and physical security industry, weighting the list more heavily towards popular mid- and large-cap US stocks.

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1. Napco Security Technologies (NSSC)

Napco Security Technologies, Inc. develops, manufactures, and sells security products in the United States and internationally. The company offers access control systems, door-locking products, intrusion and fire alarm systems, and video surveillance systems for commercial, residential, institutional, industrial, and governmental applications.

Napco Security Technologies stock opened the day at $35.67 after a previous close of $35.27. The latest price was $34.86 (25 minute delay). Napco Security Technologies is listed on the NASDAQ, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD99.6 million and employs 1,161 staff.

• Market capitalization: $608,950,208
• P/E ratio: 85.3213
• PEG ratio: 16.27

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2. OSI Systems (OSIS)

OSI Systems, Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells electronic systems and components worldwide. It operates through three segments: Security, Healthcare, and Optoelectronics and Manufacturing.

OSI Systems stock opened the day at $98.70 after a previous close of $98.36. The latest price was $98.11 (25 minute delay). OSI Systems is listed on the NASDAQ, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$1.1 billion and employs 6,758 staff.

• Market capitalization: $1,776,182,656
• P/E ratio: 28.7547
• PEG ratio: 1.9263

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3. NICE (NICE)

NICE Ltd. provides enterprise software solutions worldwide. The company operates in two segments, Customer Engagement, and Financial Crime and Compliance.

NICE stock opened the day at $230.00 after a previous close of $226.12. The latest price was $233.81 (25 minute delay). NICE is listed on the NASDAQ and has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$1.6 billion.

• Market capitalization: $14,740,371,456
• P/E ratio: 76.7785
• PEG ratio: 2.9535

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4. Verint Systems (VRNT)

Verint Systems Inc. provides actionable intelligence solutions worldwide. It operates through Customer Engagement and Cyber Intelligence segments.

Verint Systems stock opened the day at $48.79 after a previous close of $48.06. The latest price was $49.34 (25 minute delay). Verint Systems is listed on the NASDAQ, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$1.3 billion and employs 6,300 staff.

• Market capitalization: $3,135,384,576
• P/E ratio: 239.4737
• PEG ratio: 1.5477

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5. Alarm-com (ALRM)

Alarm. com Holdings, Inc. provides cloud-based solutions for smart residential and commercial properties in the United States and internationally.

Alarm-com stock opened the day at $89.82 after a previous close of $88.28. The latest price was $91.59 (25 minute delay). Alarm-com is listed on the NASDAQ, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$618 million and employs 1,404 staff.

• Market capitalization: $4,609,093,120
• P/E ratio: 60.7516
• PEG ratio: 2.7351

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6. FLIR Systems (FLIR)

FLIR Systems, Inc. , together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, markets, and distributes thermal imaging systems, visible-light imaging systems, locater systems, measurement and diagnostic systems, and threat-detection solutions worldwide. The company operates in two segments, Industrial Technologies and Defense Technologies.

FLIR Systems stock opened the day at $58.46 after a previous close of $58.53. The latest price was $58.56 (25 minute delay). FLIR Systems is listed on the NASDAQ, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$1.9 billion and employs 4,179 staff.

• Market capitalization: $7,657,440,768
• P/E ratio: 36.4313
• PEG ratio: 3.1885

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Bottom line

While it’s possible to turn a profit investing in security stocks, keep in mind that — like any investment — security stocks are not immune to risk. These stocks are subject to fluctuating conditions — both in the market and in the online and physical security industry, so carefully vet your picks before you invest. And if you’re new to investing, or if it’s been awhile since you’ve taken a critical look at your investing accounts, compare brokers to make sure you’re getting the best features in your trading account.