we asked cybersecurity professionals to share their favorite cybersecurity books – here’s what they recommend for our newly expanded list
criminals. mystery. danger. money. technology. sextortion
While all of these things together sound like the makings of a best-selling fictional novel, the cybersecurity industry, and all the threats and dangers that exist within it, are all too real. that is one of the reasons why cyber security books are quite an interesting read both in academic and entertainment terms. That’s because the best cybersecurity books are those that are written to both inform and entertain. They hijack your attention as easily as a cyber attack and won’t let go until you hit the back cover.
You are reading: Best security+ books
Good cyber security books share insights gained from real-world situations and examples we can learn from as professionals. it is the big ones that teach us what we must take into account so that we are prepared to avoid falling prey to cybercriminals.
but which ones are considered the “best cybersecurity books” and why? This two-part question led me to reach out to many IT and cybersecurity experts within the industry to ask them about their favorite cybersecurity books and create a comprehensive list of “best cybersecurity books.” Wondering what titles made their lists?
let’s figure it out.
must read: the 25 best cybersecurity books you should read
For this updated article, we are going to break down the list of the best cybersecurity books by the computer security or cybersecurity expert who recommends them. To keep things fair, we’re not showing preferential treatment in the sense of who shows up first. we just listed the responses as they came in (sorry no chocolates or whiskey kickbacks for this lady!) so basically adding the new recommendations to the existing list we posted earlier.
oh, and just a quick note: this list of the best cybersecurity books doesn’t include any self-promotion.
Our first series of five book recommendations comes from Gabe Turner, Chief Content Officer at Security Baron. Turner is a lawyer and journalist with a self-proclaimed passion for home technology and finding ways to live safely and efficiently. he believed that creating stable and safe communities is imperative for a healthy and vibrant society. as such, it was that belief that led him to join the security baron.
1. Piracy: The Art of Exploitation (2nd ed.)
author: jon erickson
Hacking: The Art of Exploitation dives into the world of creative problem solving and exploitation. Instead of simply explaining how different exploits work, this book provides a holistic view of programming, network communications, and current hacking techniques. Unlike many cyber security books, this one comes with a LiveCD. The disk provides a complete Linux environment to help you get your hands dirty with programming and debugging code, all without compromising or modifying your operating system(s).
This book not only shows how hacking works on a technical level, but it’s also told from a hacker’s perspective, which is really helpful for IT professionals. I love how accessible the writing is; you don’t need a computer science degree to get something out of this!”
2. the art of invisibility: the world’s most famous hacker teaches you how to stay safe in the age of big brother and big data
author: kevin mitnick
the art of invisibility, written by the world’s most famous hacker, kevin mitnick, is one of those cyber security books that informs readers about what they can do to protect themselves and their information in the age digital “big brother” and “big data”.
according to turner:
With so many security breaches and invasions of privacy by big tech companies, this book is a helpful guide on how to stay safe online and why it matters. mitnick provides examples to show you examples of how our country and companies have invaded privacy, as well as providing easy step-by-step instructions on cyber security measures, from passwords to wi-fi.”
3. Ghost in the Wires: My Adventures as the World’s Most Wanted Hacker
author(s): kevin mitnick, william l. simon
Ghost in the Wires, the second title on mitnick’s list, is a brilliant first-hand account of his experiences accessing the networks and computers at some of the world’s largest corporations, including motorola, pacific bell and sun microsystems.
another book by kevin mitnick, this option is a memoir of his career as an it worker at big companies, dealing with the fbi. Even though he’s just writing about coding, at the end of the day, Mitnick’s witty prose makes it about as exciting as a thriller. Personally, I couldn’t put it down until I was done!”
4. the codebook: the science of secrecy from ancient egypt to quantum cryptography
author(s): simon singh
The codebook is an illuminating journey through the long history of encryption. shows how encryption has played a role in shaping the course of the world, from defeating hitler to making e-commerce possible (can you imagine how different the world would be if none of those events happened?) and everything in between. /p>
This book is a history of encryption dating back to ancient Egypt and also covers Mary, Queen of Scots, and Navajo code talkers, among other historical examples. the book not only provides technical explanations, but also puts encryption in historical context, which is quite rare in a cybersecurity book. Whether you’re interested in technology, history, or both, this book is a unique look at encryption through a historical lens.”
5. dead cow cult: how the original hacker supergroup could save the world
author(s): joseph menn
cult of the dead cow, if you didn’t know, refers to the oldest and most respected group of hackers in the us. uu. they helped develop tor and, through their hacktivist efforts, forced many Americans. corporations to take their security protections to the next level. this book is about their history and their impact on the world.
the cult of the dead cow is a hacking group that recently got a lot of attention because [beto] o’rourke, a former Democratic presidential candidate, was in it as a teenager. A largely anonymous group, the dead cow cult practically invented hacktivism and heavily influenced big business and its . The book describes the group’s past as well as its present activities in the fight against fake news and surveillance.”
Now, let’s explore some cybersecurity book recommendations from other IT and cybersecurity experts around the world:
6. social engineering: the science of human hacking
author(s): christopher hadnagy
social engineering shows both the creative genius and the laziness of hackers. Why go through all the gibberish and effort of breaking and climbing through a virtual window when you can walk through an open front door? This book looks at the vulnerabilities that exist within the human elements of an enterprise and explains how you can recognize, anticipate, and prevent social engineering attacks.
Any cybersecurity professional can tell you that some of the biggest attacks and data breaches have happened due to human error, even on the most secure and robust networks. what I like about this book is that it teaches you about human hacking and how someone can gain access to your entire database through social engineering. so it’s a great read even if you don’t understand the intricacies of hacking and cybersecurity, as it teaches you how to defend against non-technical cyber attacks. In my opinion, any company that is serious about data protection should include a copy of this book, or parts of it, during employee training. Social engineering attacks come in all shapes and sizes, from email spoofing to physically allowing access to company servers when they claim to be there to put a new plug in the wall.”
7. hands-on malware analysis
author(s): michael sikorski
Malware and Practical Analysis takes an in-depth look at the solutions and approaches professional analysts use to deal with malware threats. this hands-on approach to malware analysis takes you through everything from setting up secure virtual environments to developing methods for unpacking malware and analyzing specific cases.
Malware attacks can cost a company a lot of money if it gets into their systems. companies must be able to have a response ready to combat malware and mitigate risk. the hands-on malware scan reviews the best ways to scan for and remove malware and other dangerous software. not only provides approaches and best practices, but also recommends tools to help businesses get actionable advice on how to prevent malware attacks.”
8. the insider threat certification guide
author(s): dawn m. cappelli, andrew p. Moore, Randall F. trzeciak
The Cert Guide to Insider Threats is one of those cyber security books that breaks down the findings of the Cert Insider Threat Center at Carnegie Mellon University’s Software Engineering Institute (SEI). The authors share guidance and real-world methods that managers, IT security, and other employees within any organization can put to use to combat cybercrime and cybersecurity threats.
the cert guide to insider threats is a great book for cybersecurity experts. It covers an area that many people overlook and is one of the biggest security concerns an organization can have: an insider threat. We’re all concerned with external security issues, but this book looks at vulnerabilities within your system. describes a wide variety of insider attacks and provides tips on how to set up effective protection and, more importantly, how to find and discover potential threats. I wouldn’t recommend this book to someone new to the industry as it’s a difficult and highly technical read, but for cybersecurity experts it’s a valuable tool to protect your system from the inside out.”
9. the cybernetic effect
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author(s): mary aiken
the cyber effect is “a groundbreaking exploration of how cyberspace is changing the way we think, feel and behave.” The content is based on Aiken’s experience as a forensic cyberpsychologist who has worked with law enforcement agencies around the world. additional fun fact? His work was the inspiration for the popular television series Sci: Cyber!
Mary Aiken’s book The Cyber Effect is the best book to read if you want to understand the psychology behind technology. What are the effects that cybernetics has on our lives? what is the disinhibition effect? technology has invaded all aspects of our lives; it is changing social and private behavior, having a disproportionate impact on our children and facilitating types of criminal and antisocial behavior that are repulsive and sometimes frightening. The reality is that digital technology (like most technologies) is both good and bad. therefore, the only rational way forward is to figure out how to live intelligently with it. but to do that we need to understand it. what we lack is an informed understanding of the problems, dangers and pathologies to which it gives rise. this is the gap that dr. aiken seeks to fill. As a psychologist, her main interest is the scientific understanding of online behavior. this book is wonderfully written. Mary Aiken has done an excellent job of explaining otherwise difficult ideas in easy-to-understand language. it is very informative and changes a lot the way you visualize your behavior in front of your screen. highly recommended.”
10. hacking exposed 7: network security secrets and solutions
author(s): stuart mcclure, joel scambray, george kurtz
Piracy Exposed 7 is an in-depth look at piracy from an academic point of view. covers everything from the basics of fingerprinting to exploring the “countermeasures cookbook”. The three cybersecurity experts help him learn what he doesn’t know so he can make informed decisions and take effective action.
Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field, making it difficult for certain books to remain relevant for long. but the right books offer readers an excellent foundation for learning about cybersecurity. My favorite cybersecurity book series, Hacking Exposed, accomplishes this while continuing to offer new editions to keep readers up to date. Hacking Exposed: Network Security Secrets and Solutions is an international bestselling series written by renowned security experts Stuart McClure, Joel Scambray and George Kurtz. Each issue exposes the latest hacking tactics and illustrates field-tested remedies through case studies. With each new edition, a new perspective and lesson is gained. Many times, cybersecurity books can sound redundant, but the exposed series on hacking is carefully designed to engage readers and teach experts how to think like a hacker to avoid security breaches.”
11. threat modeling: design for security
author(s): adam shostack
threat modeling is a book for cybersecurity professionals, developers, and administrators alike. This is one of the cyber security books that explores various threat modeling approaches and ways to address threats that have been effective for Microsoft and other major organizations.
offers an excellent approach to cybersecurity based on the idea of building security into systems during the design phase using a threat modeling approach, rather than something that comes later. shostack provides practical advice on how to deal with real threats and vulnerabilities that real-world security experts face every day.”
The following two recommendations for the best books on cyber security come from Matt Palmer, a seasoned CIS and IT leader who serves as Director of Cyberclaria. He specializes in strategic change and transformation within the technology and cyber fields and is an international speaker on cyber risk management and technology leadership.
12. countdown to day zero: stuxnet and the launch of the world’s first digital weapon
author(s): kim zetter
countdown to zero day is an informative look at the beginning of the digital war, delving into the launch of stuxnet and how it came to impact a nuclear facility in natanz, iran. This is one of those must-read cyber security books for experts and non-techies alike to gain insight into the power and impact of modern cyber tools and attacks.
I usually give kim zetter’s ‘countdown to day zero’ as a gift to non-cyber specialists, executives and information security novices as it is an absorbing and beautifully told story that explains how carry these risks in reality.”
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13. how to measure anything in cybersecurity risk
author(s): douglas w. hubbard & richard seiersen
how to measure anything in cyber security risk is an eye-opening look at the shortcomings of common cyber risk management methods. In addition to showing how desperately the industry as a whole needs to improve its existing security methodologies, the authors also offer information and alternative techniques on how to do so.
according to palmer:
I also offer cybersecurity specialists doug hubbard’s “how to measure anything in cybersecurity risk” as it shows how we can do a much better job than we do today. it is a wake-up call for the profession.”
sivan tehila, director of solution architecture at perimeter 81 and founder of cyber ladies nyc, also calls this book a “must have” for industry insiders.
I am teaching my students with this book all the basics of cybersecurity risk management. We really can’t build any cybersecurity plan and we can’t respond to any incident without doing a good risk assessment first, and this book covers everything the experts need to know.”
As a cybersecurity expert with over 14 years of experience, Tehila says she also recommends the following book for essentially the same reasons:
14. The Complete Guide to Cybersecurity Risks and Controls (Internal Audit and IT Audit), 1st Edition
author(s): anne kohnke, dan shoemaker and ken sigler
the complete guide to cybersecurity risks and controls is a training book that takes a practical approach to the control and governance of information and communication technologies (ict). Unlike other books, the authors view the topic through the lens of ICT operations, making it less of a technical problem than one of strategic governance.
15. click here to kill them all: safety and survival in a hyperconnected world
author(s): bruce schneier
click here to kill them all is a shocking look at the widespread adoption of “smart” devices around the world and the risks that come with it. The book goes beyond simply talking about the implications of such hyperconnected devices to explore the underlying forces that contribute to the growing list of insecurities we’re seeing in IoT technologies.
bruce schneier is an immensely respected and well-known cryptographer, author, and cybersecurity professional. If he’s familiar with Schnier’s work (and everyone in the cybersecurity field should be), the witty and sadly accurate title makes “Click Here To Kill All” a must-read. Fortunately, the book lives up to its catchy title, delving into the implications of an always-on, hyper-connected world where our physical and digital realities are merging because our devices are becoming “smart”; software-controlled and networked, as well as interdependent on each other.
schneier does an excellent job of pointing out both the potential benefits internet of things (iot) devices are already creating and the significant problems they are causing. Perhaps the biggest problem is that everything is a computer now (or soon will be) and, as we see in the headlines every day, every computer can be hacked.
Because of the increasing connection and control over our physical world, attackers can launch digital attacks that create chaos and wreak havoc in the real world. For example, the first known malware-related death was recently reported by a hospital in Germany. schneier deftly explores the risks of our new reality, including the technological, political, and economic reasons why we find ourselves in a situation where it is at least conceivable that one click could kill everyone.”
16. Comptia Network+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, 7th Edition
author(s): mike meyers
comptia network+ is the best-selling exam guide for certified professionals worldwide. Written by Comptia’s leading training and certification effort, this is one of those cybersecurity books that is known for talking about the subject in an engaging way while retaining a practical, real-world approach.
any of meyers books are always easy picks and come with high recommendations. they’re more of a textbook than relaxation reading, with certification tests assigned to them, but they’re still great reference manuals when working in this field. I recently picked these two to review: network + and security +.”
17. bulletproof ssl and tls: understanding and implementing ssl/tls and pki to protect servers and web applications
author(s): ivan ristic
bulletproof ssl and tls are often considered the bible of ssl/tls implementations. is written by the author of the ssl labs website, the go-to resource for statistics and other information related to ssl/tls implementations.
This book is an excellent field guide for anyone tasked with managing ssl/tls. It is a comprehensive book that is easy to read and understand. The book is well designed, making it ideal for reference, and the electronic version is regularly updated. It has been appreciated by my customers, both new to ssl and veterans.”
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Now for some more good news on this particular title… ristic announced on his blog that a second edition preview of his book is now available. so if he was looking for something a little more up-to-date, it looks like his latest version of the book is one you can check out.
okay, since we’re still talking about ssl/tls, there’s one more title worth mentioning in our list of the best cybersecurity books…
18. ssl/tls under lock and key: a guide to understanding ssl/tls cryptography
author(s): paul baka & jeremy schatten
ssl/tls under lock and key is a cybersecurity book that aims to reach and educate beginners and seasoned professionals alike. provides a combination of theoretical and practical information to help readers better understand ssl/tls cryptography and how it works.
Although this particular title was not technically highlighted by the experts who provided recommendations for this article, I think it is a valuable resource worth mentioning. Not only is this a great book for those working in the SSL/TLS industry, but it’s also a great resource for you and other cybersecurity professionals. and since ssl/tls is our area of interest and expertise… well, it seems only fitting that we include it in our list of the best books on cybersecurity.
19. cybersecurity essentials
author(s): charles j. brooks, christopher grow, philip craig and donald short
cybersecurity essentials is one of those cybersecurity books that introduces readers to the “knowledge” of the industry. it also helps prepare them for certification with real-world scenarios and breakdowns of essential concepts.
As a techie and business owner, in my opinion, the best book on security I’ve ever read and which I highly recommend would be Cybersecurity Essentials by Charles Brooks and Christopher Grow. This book wins its place on the list for its value to those new to cybersecurity. offers readers a compact and comprehensive introduction to the field of cyber security with foundational topics required by those exploring their first cyber security certifications. This book breaks cyber security down to four key hurdles: protecting infrastructure, protecting devices, protecting perimeters, and protecting local networks. By the time you finish reading this book, you will know where you stand in cybersecurity and be better equipped with the knowledge to take your first steps into the field.”
20. the pentester plan: starting a career as an ethical hacker
author(s): phillip wylie and kim crawley
If you’re looking for a new cybersecurity book that’s fresh off the press, look no further. The Pentester Plan is a deep dive into the world of white hat hacker activities. Just out in November 2020, this book serves as a guide to understanding how to make a career out of penetration testing. explores basic and advanced topics that are relevant to the job and helps you assess your current skills and knowledge.
phil and kim do a great job in this book of providing a “road map” for aspiring pentesters. they cover the real information people need to know, including pentesting certifications to consider getting.”
21. the cuckoo’s egg
author(s): clifford stoll
The Cuckoo’s Egg is author Cliff Stoll’s first-hand account of his time working as a systems manager at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory. he became aware that an unauthorized user was stealing sensitive military and security information and set out to stop it by any means necessary. But it wasn’t until he started digging that he discovered how far that rabbit hole would go, which ultimately led to the discovery of an international spy ring.
Involving the layman requires readability, however, while fiction can be helpful in understanding the subcultural elements of cybersecurity, I’m not sure I’ve found a novel that is particularly effective in illustrating the basic principles of cybersecurity. clifford stoll’s cuckoo’s egg is a timeless and eminently readable nonfiction account of real-world computer espionage involving early use of techniques (weak passwords, honey traps, threat intelligence, etc.) that are still relevant today at present”.
22. sandworm
author(s): andy greenberg
sandworm is a title that deserves to be on a list of the best cybersecurity books. That’s because it gives readers an innovative look at the Russian Sandworm hacking group and one of the most shocking cyberattacks in history that caused a massive blackout in Kyiv, Ukraine.
This book should be required reading for everyone working in the security industry.
another amazing book that covers many of the major recent cyber incidents and attacks. Being in Estonia during the 2007 cyber war, which I survived, this book was one of the few that got the technical details right, which I always appreciate and respect. Andy’s coverage of these events makes this book exciting to read. this should be required reading for all security professionals.”
read more: what is a ddos attack?
23. little brother
author(s): cory doctorow
little brother is a work of fiction with a powerful message about cybersecurity, social networks, surveillance and digital disobedience. follows the story of a teenage hacker who finds himself and his friends living in a community turned police state where everyone is suspected of terrorism, and what they do to combat it.
This novel outlines numerous key concepts in modern computing and cybersecurity, told from the perspective of a high school student who gets caught up in a government surveillance program. Unlike George Orwell’s “1984” Big Brother concept, which was about a police state that put cameras in everyone’s homes, Little Brother tells the story of how social media and the age of the smartphone, the smart speaker and the internet of things (iot) lead to us leaking thousands of little data points about ourselves every day. has an excellent overview of data privacy, the fundamentals of encryption, and hacker/cypherpunk culture.”
24. the hacker and the state: cyberattacks and the new normality of geopolitics
author(s): ben buchanan
The Hacker and the State is a chillingly insightful and accurate look at the impact of information security and cyber warfare on the geopolitical climate. covers major nation-state cyberattacks and is packed with anecdotes and key insights gleaned through interviews, reports, and declassified data.
The Hacker and the State: Cyber Attacks and the New Normal of Geopolitics by Ben Buchanan was a book I picked up earlier this year, planning it to be my book on planes and layovers. since everything changed, I ended up reading it all one weekend and enjoyed it.
The book is sometimes overly simplistic on the technical side, but it reviews the most significant cyber warfare incidents of the last decade and identifies the key players involved. With the ongoing fireeye/solarwinds/federal government hack still in the works, this is a great book to help you get up to speed as the next round of attacks and counter-attacks begins to unfold.
A quote I took from the book that stuck with me is: “the damage hackers can do spreads faster than deterrence or defenses against them.” As someone who helps companies protect their systems, this quote packs a punch. when someone like ben buchanan talks about it in terms of nation-states funding hackers with “unlimited” resources and a defined target, but this really isn’t true for your average corporation that isn’t being targeted specifically like research we have done in recent years have pointed out.”
25. the cybersecurity playbook: how every leader and employee can contribute to a culture of security
author(s): allison cerra
okay… last but not least on our list of the best cybersecurity books is the cybersecurity handbook. This is about helping employees at all levels of an organization identify weaknesses and assess threats. it also highlights the importance of having effective policies in place to help protect organizations against vulnerabilities associated with the human factor: their employees.
any computer technical book is obsolete in a few months; some become obsolete before they are even published. It happens because the software is updated regularly, adding new features, just as hackers discover new vulnerabilities. the cyber security manual is not the technical guide. steers our culture in the right direction by embedding good safety habits with every employee, manager or board member.
security challenges require the right attitude. the right attitude is based on the principles of shared responsibility and cybersecurity awareness. this book provides a clear guide on how to achieve it. the principles presented by allison cerra will remain relevant for many years to come.”
Looking for other cybersecurity book recommendations?
There are many excellent books on the cybersecurity industry and in general. what are some of your favorite cybersecurity books? be sure to share them in the comments section below.
If you’ve already checked out all these books on cybersecurity and are looking for other ways to fill your evenings, be sure to check out our list of the best movies on cybercrime and hacking. In this article, we share the top 40 hacker movies and cybercrime movies, along with insights from industry experts.
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