In this article, I have carefully broken down the list of interesting books on Cyber Security by the IT Professionals and Specialists within the infosec/cybersecurity communities.
Knowing that books are the best way to go about learning in-depth knowledge, and it also applies to cybersecurity as well.
Before we jump-start, I would like to help you understand what cybersecurity actually is?
Cyber Security is the practice of defending computers, servers, mobile devices, electronic systems, networks, and data from malicious attacks. It’s also known as information technology security or electronic information security.
Cyber Security aims at protecting against Identity Theft, Cyberattacks, Data breach and the common principles followed by organisations is known as CIA triad. Which is (Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability) referred to as pillars of security and needs to be followed severely.
List Of The Best Cyber Security Books
- The Art of Deception
- Tribes of hacker
- The Art of Invisibility Hacking
- Cyber Security for Beginners
- The Art of Exploitation
- Cult of the Dead Cow
- Ghost In The Wires
- The Code Book
- Countdown to Zero Day
- Practical Malware Analysis
- Social Engineering
- Hacking Exposed 7
- The Cyber Effect
- The CERT Guide to Insider Threat
- Bug Hunter Diary
1# The Art Of Deception
Written By: Kevin Mitnick
The Art of Deception, It is a must-read, the book relies on the insights of its author – Kevin Mitnick, who is widely renowned as the world’s most famous hacker. The book explains the importance of social engineering in any attack.
The book also shows that human is the weakest link in the cybersecurity chain, and the art of social engineering allows to exploit it.
The book includes real stories and social engineering cases and demonstrates how to chain them in real hacking scenarios.
The reading of the book is suggested also to non tech-savvy people, it can help them understand social engineering and how to avoid being a potential victim of attacks.
2# Tribe of Hacker: Cybersecurity Advice from the Best Hackers in the World
Written By: Marcus J Carey, Jennifer Jin
Tribe of Hacker, This book is a must-read for any Cyber Security Enthusiasts or anyone looking to venture into cybersecurity. It entails advice from the world’s most noteworthy hackers and influential security specialists.
Tribe of Hackers offers the practical know-how, industry perspectives, and technical insight you need to succeed in the rapidly growing information security market.
This unique guide includes inspiring interviews from 70 security experts, including Lesley Carhart, Ming Chow, Bruce Potter, Robert M. Lee, and Jayson E. Street.
3# The Art of Invisibility: The World’s Most Famous Hacker Teaches You How to Be Safe in the Age of Big Brother and Big Data
Written By: Kevin Mitnick
The Art of Invisibility, written by the world’s most famous hacker, Kevin Mitnick, who is widely renowned as the world’s most famous hacker.
He shared his knowledge and experience on cybersecurity which will help readers understand what they can do to protect themselves and their information in the digital age of “Big Brother” and “Big Data.”
This book contains step by step instructions on measures to be taken to protect yourself from the Digital age of “Big Brother” and “Big Data” from your passwords to Public Wi-Fi and also to be fully vigilant.
4# Cyber Security for Beginners
Written By: Raef Meeuwisse
Cyber Security for Beginners, written by Raef. Its an easily understandable introduction to cybersecurity even for the people who do not have a technical background.
It is suitable for people who are looking for ways to learn what Cyber Security is or improve their knowledge as an information security geeks or employee. Raef believes, that the world is not the same as it used to be.
Technology became something that is no longer our servant, now it is the main thing that shapes our every-day lives and we need to learn how to make it safer.
Who Needs To Read It: Everyone
5# Hacking: The Art of Exploitation (2nd Ed.)
Written By: Jon Erickson
Hacking: The Art of Exploitation, This book is written in simple text devoid of any technical jargon. So anyone of any background can read and digest well.
This book explores how hacking and different exploits works from the hackers perspective.
This provides a comprehensive look at programming and current hacking techniques. The second edition of this book comes with a Live CD.
The CD has a complete Linux environment to help you get your hands dirty with programming and debugging code. Without tampering or compromising your operating system (OS).
6# Cult of the Dead Cow: How the Original Hacking Supergroup Might Just Save the World
Written By: Joseph Menn
Cult of the Dead Cow, Hearing Cult? Getting scared? Lol.. don’t be. This book refers to one of the oldest and most respected hacking groups in the U.S.
They aided in the development of TOR and, through their hacktivist efforts, forced many U.S. corporations to take their security protections to the next level.
This book is all about their history and their impact on America snd the world.
7# Ghost In The Wires
Written By: Kevin Mitnick, William L. Simon
Ghost In The Wires, another from the author we’ve mentioned before. It’s a brilliant book of the true story of his experience of hacking to access networks and computers of some of these big corporations, which few of them are Motorola, Pacific Bell and Sun Microsystems.
In fact, you can call it Kevin hacking diary. How he began his career as a simple novice IT worker and went on to become the world’s most notorious hacker with the FBI on his heels.
8# The Code Book: The Science of Secrecy from Ancient Egypt to Quantum Cryptography
Written By: Simon Singh
The Code Book, is a book that will walk you through the entire history of encryption. It shows how encryption has shaped the world we know today. from defeating Hitler to making eCommerce industry possible and everything in between.
This book talks very much about encryptions of the modern-day that we are.
sprawling back to Ancient Egypt, Yes, you heard it right.
According to Simon, the foundations for cyber security protocols that we cherish today could be traced back to the scriptures and antiquated espionage tactics associated with ancient Egyptian culture.
9# Countdown to Zero Day: Stuxnet and the Launch of the World’s First Digital Weapon
Written By: Kim Zetter
Countdown to Zero Day, This book is a good pick for those looking to start in InfoSec, non-cyber specialists it is a book that explains how the security risks behave in reality.
The book tells the story behind Stuxnet’s planning, execution and discovery. In this excerpt from the book, which will be released November 11, Stuxnet has already been at work silently sabotaging centrifuges at the Natanz plant for about a year.
10# Practical Malware Analysis
Written By: Michael Sikorski and Andrew Honig
Practical Malware Analysis, This book provides an in-depth insight at the way professionals analysts deal with malware threats. From setting up safe virtual environments to studying specific cases and developing methods of unpacking malware, the book dives deep into this and so much more.
Companies are the most targeted victims of malware attacks. And if an attack does happen successfully. It can cost a lot of money to fix them.
That’s why companies need to be prepared with good response and mitigation towards such attacks. Practical Malware Analysis goes over the best ways to deal with such threats. It also recommends tools to help companies get actionable advice on how to prevent malware attacks.
11# Social Engineering: The Science Of Human Hacking
Written By: Christopher Hadnagy
Social engineering, this book focuses on the life of hackers rather than focus on the actual practice of hacking.
Showcasing both the genius and the lazy hackers who go through the rigmarole and effort of breaking through a virtual wall instead of simply walking through the front door.
The book looks into the most vulnerable aspect of hacking humans. It walks you through their weak spots and helps you identify, anticipate, exploit and prevent yourself from social engineering attack.
12# Hacking Exposed 7: Network Security Secrets and Solutions
Written By: Stuart McClure, Joel Scambray, George Kurtz
Hacking Exposed 7, This book deep dives into hacking from the viewpoint of an academic and scholarly perspective. It covers everything about footprinting from basics to exploring the countermeasures cookbook manual.
It presents interesting remedies to combat hacking by putting its reader in the shoes of a hacker. It makes you think like them.
13# The Cyber Effect
Written By: Mary Aiken
The Cyber Effect, An experience-based written book on how cyberspace is changing the way we humans feel, think and behave.
The author has worked with law enforcement agencies throughout the world. Also, she is the inspiration behind the famous TV series: SCI: Cyber, which explains the books enthralling prose.
This book gave fascinating answers to questions like What are the Effect of Technology in Our Lives? What is its effect on our lives, our children’s lives?, Is there even a thing called privacy anymore?.
It worth reading for both techies and non-techies.
14# The CERT Guide to Insider Threat
Written By: Dawn M. Cappelli, Andrew P. Moore
The CERT Guide to Insider Threat, again written by three cybersecurity experts. This book is only for the Eyes of cybersecurity experts and professionals who can understand the heavy jargons and technical grammars used in the book.
This book breaks down better on internal threats a company can face and outline how they can combat this cybersecurity threat.
15# A Bug Hunter Diary
Written By: Tobias Klein
A Bug’s Hunter Diary, is a must-read book for people who want to understand what vulnerability research is, without having to learn to do it themselves, will find it the perfect book for them.
Though, on a condition that you have to be able to read programming languages in order to fully understand the gravity of what he does.
Conclusion
That’s it all about our list of best Cybersecurity books that you can read. But there are many great books out there concerning the cybersecurity industry and IT as a whole.
For the 1337 Guys, then Kevin Mitnick’s Ghost in the Wire and The Art of Invisibility will be a great one to start with, in fact, I will say all Kevin’s Books is a must-read.
Also, these are good books for beginners to kick start their career in cybersecurity.
You can as well share with us your own favourite in the comment section your best Cyber Security Books you’ve read or recommended to you by your colleagues.
