The Invisible War: When Hackers Outpace the Cybersecurity Industry

If the hacker economy were a country, it would be the third largest economy on Earth — just behind the U.S. and China.

CISOHACKERSMARKET

Roshan Yacob George C|CISO CISSP CISA CFE

5/19/20253 min read

Imagine a world where the "bad guys" aren't just keeping pace with the good guys — they're outpacing them, infiltrating their camps, wearing the same uniforms, and even getting a seat at the strategy table. That world isn't fictional anymore. It's our reality.

The Market Gap No One Is Talking About. In 2025, the global cybersecurity market is valued at approximately $310 billion. The broader information security market trails close behind at $273 billion. Meanwhile, the hacker economy — comprising cybercriminals, ransomware syndicates, state-sponsored attackers, and underground markets — is worth a staggering $10.5 trillion.

This isn't just a gap. It's a gaping chasm. And the implications are terrifying.

Infiltration: The Trojan Horse Within Our Ranks

The security industry once prided itself on rigorous certifications like CISSP, CISA, and CISM. These were badges of honor, proof of hard-earned expertise. But today, certified professionals are increasingly being sidelined for self-proclaimed experts — many of whom lack formal credentials, and some who may even be acting as plants from the hacker economy.

The rapid demand for cyber talent has led to a loosening of entry barriers. Many organizations now prioritize "hands-on experience" over verified certifications. While experience is crucial, this shift opens the door for actors from the dark web who pose as saviors, only to exploit from within.

Visual: Infiltration Funnel

  • Top: Hacker Market ($10.5T)

  • Funnel: Self-proclaimed cybersecurity experts without certification

  • Bottom: Entry into CISO/InfoSec/CyberSec roles

The Danger of Normalizing the Unvetted

  • Risk 1: Dilution of the profession and its credibility

  • Risk 2: Compromised national and corporate security

  • Risk 3: Erosion of trust among clients, consumers, and stakeholders

A Call to Action: Secure the Gates Before It's Too Late We must:

  • Re-emphasize the importance of globally recognized certifications

  • Build vetting protocols for security hires

  • Create industry-wide watchlists to flag and investigate anomalous entrants

When the fox is not just in the henhouse, but helping run the security cameras, it's not just time to upgrade the locks. It's time to burn down the illusion of safety we've built and start anew.

Because if we don't defend the defenders now, there may be no one left to defend us later.

In today’s hyperconnected world, cybersecurity is not just a technical concern—it’s a trillion-dollar battleground. Organizations are investing billions to protect their digital assets, while cybercriminals continue to evolve and expand their illicit operations. To understand the scale and complexity of this digital arms race, let’s compare the three major players in this ecosystem:

  1. The Information Security Market

  2. The Cybersecurity Market

  3. The Hacker (Cybercrime) Market

1. The Information Security Market

Size: Estimated to reach $273 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 12.8% from 2023 onwards.
Scope: Encompasses governance, risk, and compliance (GRC), security policies, training, audits, and strategic controls.

Information security (InfoSec) is the broader umbrella under which cybersecurity falls. It focuses not just on digital information, but also on physical and organizational measures to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CIA) of data. Think of it as the “why” behind security—setting the rules and frameworks that govern data protection.

Key components:

  • Risk assessments

  • Policy creation

  • Compliance (ISO 27001, NIST, PCI DSS)

  • Security awareness training

  • Internal audits

2. The Cybersecurity Market

Size: Estimated to exceed $310 billion by 2027, with aggressive growth due to digital transformation and cloud migration.
Scope: Focuses on technical measures to protect digital assets—networks, systems, and data—from cyber threats.

Cybersecurity is the execution arm of information security. It uses tools, platforms, and technologies to prevent, detect, and respond to cyberattacks. With a rise in ransomware, phishing, and APTs (Advanced Persistent Threats), companies are investing heavily in cybersecurity infrastructure.

Key components:

  • Firewalls, IDS/IPS

  • Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)

  • Cloud and network security

  • Threat intelligence

  • Vulnerability management

  • Security Operations Centers (SOCs)

3. The Hacker (Cybercrime) Market

Size: Projected to cost the global economy $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, according to Cybersecurity Ventures. If measured by GDP, cybercrime would rank as the 3rd largest economy in the world—only behind the U.S. and China.

This “dark market” includes ransomware gangs, data thieves, phishing scammers, and nation-state actors. It thrives on weaknesses in digital infrastructure, underinvestment in security, and widespread use of commoditized hacking tools.

Revenue streams include:

  • Ransomware payouts

  • Stolen data sales on the dark web

  • Cryptojacking

  • Phishing and Business Email Compromise (BEC)

  • Cybercrime-as-a-Service (CaaS)

Criminal groups are increasingly organized, leveraging RaaS (Ransomware-as-a-Service) and sophisticated evasion tactics, sometimes even outperforming legitimate tech vendors in speed and innovation.

Sources:

  1. Cybersecurity Market Size:

  2. Information Security Market Size:

  3. Hacker Economy Valuation ($10.5 Trillion):

  4. Credentialed vs. Self-Proclaimed Experts:

  5. Hiring Trends and Talent Shortage:

  6. Infiltration Risks and Insider Threats:

Contacts

ygroshan@gmail.com
0091-9886574088

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