TM editors' note: This article discusses a penny stock and/or microcap. Such stocks are easily manipulated; do your own careful due diligence.

The bull market has generally been very kind to investors over the past 5 years.  In that time, the S&P 500 index has climbed up 81.1%.  However, those who have chosen to allocate their capital towards stocks within the tech sector have outperformed the S&P 500 by a significant margin.  As a matter of fact, the S&P North American Technology Sector Index has surged over 91.5% in the last 5 years.

What if you could capitalize on the future today?  Well, in order to do this, you have to see where the future is.  We can identify several segments within the tech sector which show promise and potential in helping us live our lives with more security, efficiency, and productivity.  We feel that these three stocks can deliver in doing just that.  They have potential to emerge as leaders in their respective practices.  Thus, these companies have considerable potential in helping shape the world of tomorrow.

NetScout Systems-(NTCT - Snapshot Report)

This cloud computing stock engages in a range of cutting edge activities.  These actions seek to provide enterprise and service organizations with application and network performance management solutions.  These are provided to optimize user experience for business and mobile services.  Clients include 92% of Fortune 100 organizations. 

NetScout Systems is a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).  This buy rank coupled along with a positive Earnings Expected Surprise Prediction of 4.08% makes NTCT a favorable candidate to beat on our earnings consensus when it reports its earnings on 4/23/15.  In the past two months, the company has surged 31.1%.  NetScout Systems has beaten our EPS consensus in each of the last four quarters, and by an average of 21.46%.

Mitek Systems, Inc-(MITK - Snapshot Report)

Mitek Systems provides software products with an emphasis on intelligent character recognition.  Their technologies make it possible to deposit a check by just taking a picture.  It's no wonder why Mitek's technology is used in each of the top 10 retail banks.  Their image technology can also be applied with a drivers license, bills, W-2's, and more. 

MITK is a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).  The earnings estimate 60 days ago called for an EPS consensus of -$0.05 for this quarter.  Our consensus now calls for earnings of -$0.03 per share.  Mitek has beaten our earnings consensus in each of the last three quarters, and by an average of 123.05%.  The company reports its earnings on 5/7/15.

Northrop Grumman Corporation-(NOC - Analyst Report)

Northrop Grumman engages in providing innovative solutions in systems integration, defense electronics, and information technology for its U.S. and international military clients.  Over the last 70 years, the company has come to be known for making cutting edge aircraft, such as unmanned drones for the military.

Northrop is a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).  The company doles out a 1.72% dividend.  60 days ago, our earnings estimate called for a consensus EPS of $2.19 for this quarter.  Our consensus has updated since then, and now calls for earnings of $2.27 per share.  The company has posted positive surprises in each of the last two quarters, beating our consensus estimate by an average of 4.6% over those two quarters.  Northrop Grumman reports its earnings on 4/22/15.