Top 15+ Cyber Security Books To Read In 2023

Cybersecurity is all about safeguarding sensitive information and critical systems from digital attacks. It involves implementing measures to protect networked systems and applications, whether the threats come from within the organization or externally.

With the rise in the number of users, devices, and programs in businesses today and the abundance of sensitive data, cybersecurity has become a crucial and pressing concern. The challenges have grown more intricate as cyber-attacks and attack techniques have become increasingly sophisticated and diverse.

The integration of modern technologies has brought about significant changes in workplaces. To become future-ready, you must ace these skills from industry experts at PW IOI.

If you want to delve into cybersecurity and ethical hacking, we’ve got some great book recommendations for beginners and professionals. These books will help you better understand cybersecurity and the art of ethical hacking. Plus, don’t miss out on the best courses available for Ethical Hacking and Cyber Security to kickstart your career in this exciting field.

Cyber Security Books

1. Cybersecurity For Beginners by Raef Meeuwisse:

This book covers various aspects of cybersecurity in each chapter. The best part is that you can read them in any order, as they are independent. Meeuwisse ensures that he defines all the important terms you need to know, making it easy for beginners to follow. Published on May 14, 2015, by Lulu Publishing Services.

2. Social Engineering:

The Science Of Human Hacking by Christopher Hadnagy: Hadnagy explores different social engineering techniques in this intriguing book. He backs up his explanations with real-world examples, making it easier for readers to grasp the concepts. If you’re fascinated by cyber warfare, this book is a must-read. Published on June 25, 2018, by Wiley.

3. The Art Of Invisibility by Kevin Mitnick:

Mitnick offers practical online and real-life tactics in this book, presenting them step-by-step. You’ll learn various privacy protection tactics and ways to avoid leaving a digital footprint. Published on February 14, 2017, by Little, Brown and Company.

4. Hacking for Beginners:

A Step By Step Guide For You To Learn the Basics of Cybersecurity And Hacking by Ramon Nastase: Geared towards those interested in penetration testing, this book dives into the minds of hackers, their motivations, and the various hacking techniques they employ. Published on August 6, 2018, by Independently Published.

5. Blue Team Handbook:

Incident Response Edition by Don Murdoch: If you want to explore Blue Teams, SOCs, or incident response, this book is a great starting point. Murdoch provides insights into responding to cybersecurity incidents and explains the tools used in detail. Being part of the blue team means understanding your organization inside out. Published on August 3, 2014, by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.

6. Hacking:

The Art of Exploitation by Jon Erickson: This cyber security textbook not only explains hacking but also delves into it from a hacker’s perspective. The book covers current programming and hacking techniques and even includes a Live CD with a complete Linux environment in its second edition. Published on October 8, 2004, by No Starch Press.

7. Cult of the Dead Cow:

How the Original Hacking Supergroup Might Just Save the World by Joseph Menn: This book uncovers the story of one of the earliest and most respected hacking groups formed in the United States. It discusses the development of TOR and its efforts in compelling US corporations to enhance their security protocols. Published on June 4, 2019, by Public Affairs.

8. Ghost In The Wires:

My Adventures as the World’s Most Wanted Hacker by Kevin Mitnick and William L. Simon: This mind-blowing true story reads like a thrilling fiction novel. Kevin Mitnick takes you on a wild ride through his experiences hacking into prestigious corporations like Motorola, Pacific Bell, and Sun Microsystems. Starting as a novice IT worker, he eventually becomes the FBI’s most wanted hacker. Published on August 15, 2011, by Little, Brown and Company.

9. The Code Book:

The Science of Secrecy from Ancient Egypt to Quantum Cryptography by Simon Singh: In this fascinating book, Simon Singh unravels the history of encryption, tracing it back to ancient Egypt. He provides a detailed account of how encryption has shaped our world, from enabling e-commerce to contributing to the downfall of the Nazi regime. The book connects encryption with many famous historical events and individuals. Published on August 29, 2000, by Anchor.

10. Practical Malware Analysis:

In today’s modern world, malware and viruses pose real threats. Security experts and IT professionals are constantly seeking ways to combat new malware lurking around the corner. This book equips readers with valuable insights on dealing with these threats and provides essential cybersecurity tools to help companies fight and eliminate virus attacks. Published on February 29, 2012, by No Starch Press.

11. Metasploit:

The Penetration Tester’s Guide by David Kennedy, Jim O’Gorman, Devon Kearns, and Mati Aharoni: This comprehensive book dives into the Metasploit framework, covering its interfaces, module system, and advanced penetration testing techniques. You’ll learn everything from network reconnaissance and client-side attacks to wireless attacks and targeted social engineering. Discover how to integrate NeXpose, Nmap, and Nessus with Metasploit for automated discovery—published by No Starch Press on July 22, 2011.

12. The Hacker Playbook 3:

Practical Guide To Penetration Testing by Peter Kim: Packed with new strategies, attacks, and tips, this book simulates real-world, advanced attacks to challenge your organization’s defensive teams. Improve your offensive hacking skills, explore attack paths, and delve into real-world attacks, exploitation, custom malware, and persistence. Published on May 1, 2018, by Secure Planet.

13. Applied Cryptography:

Protocols, Algorithms, and Source Code in C: This cybersecurity book offers an overview of modern cryptography, explaining how professionals use cryptography to encrypt messages while solving security problems with various algorithms. Published on November 2, 1995, by Wiley.

14. Penetration Testing:

A Hands-On Introduction to Hacking by Georgia Weidman: Gain valuable insights into penetration testing as you explore security vulnerabilities in operating systems, networks, and applications. Learn the essential skills and techniques required for a successful penetration tester. Published on May 22, 2014, by No Starch Press.

15. Social Engineering:

The Science of Human Hacking by Christopher Hadnagy: Christopher Hadnagy demystifies various social engineering techniques, using real-world examples to make them easier to understand. Published on June 25, 2018, by Wiley.

16. The Web Application Hacker’s Handbook:

Finding and Exploiting Security Flaws by Dafydd Stuttard and Marcus Pinto: This book provides valuable insights on exposing and defending ever-evolving web applications from attacks. It covers new remoting frameworks, HTML5, UI redress, and hybrid file attacks, among other topics.

17. Hackers & Painters:

Big Ideas From The Computer Age by Paul Graham: Through thoughtful prose and historical examples, the author delves into the technological world and the motivations of hackers. Discover why hackers hack, what drives them, and why it matters—published by O’Reilly Media on May 25, 2004.

18. BackTrack 5 Wireless Penetration Testing

This beginner-friendly book covers wireless attacks, offering lab exercises with rich illustrations and detailed steps. It assumes a basic understanding of wireless concepts and Backtracks. Published on September 9, 2011, by Packt Publishing.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Should I learn cyber security in 2023?

Ans. Yes, studying cyber security is worth it in 2023 and beyond due to the ongoing demand in the field.

Q2. What is the cybersecurity trend for 2023?

Ans. In 2023, there will be a greater focus on targeting users in cyber attacks, using tactics like phishing and social engineering to gain unauthorised access to an organisation’s user base.

Q3. What is the future of cybersecurity in 2025?

Ans. In 2025, over half of major cyber incidents will result from human error or a lack of skilled personnel. Hackers increasingly target individuals through social engineering tactics, exploiting people’s vulnerability as the weakest link in security measures.

Q4. What are the three most significant trends in cyber security?

Ans.

Multi-Factor Authentication
International State-Sponsored Attackers
Identity and Access Management
Real-Time Data Monitoring
Automotive Hacking
AI Potential

Q5. What is the future of cybersecurity?

Ans. Preparing for security incidents and data breaches is crucial. Incident response playbooks will likely become more common. Employee training at all levels can help reduce the impact of human error.

Top 15+ Cyber Security Books to Read in 2023

Cyber Security Books