The Best Publications in Cybersecurity Right Now

The information security (InfoSec) industry is always changing, and staying on top of the latest threats and cybersecurity best practices can be daunting. Whether you'd rather pore over online content or you like the feel of a real hardcover book, reading the latest cybersecurity publications is a great way to keep your skills fresh, no matter where you are in your career. There is a ton of information out there, and it can be a challenge to keep track of where to look for what you need. We've broken down some of the most popular cybersecurity books and websites that can keep you up to date with trends, threats, and overall best practices.

Cybersecurity Blogs

If you want the latest information out there, online cybersecurity publications are your best bet. We've curated a list comprising the top blogs and websites, including those that cover security threats, breaches, and industry news.

Bookmark some of these expert-approved cybersecurity blogs:

Dark Reading

Part cybersecurity news website and part online community for security professionals, this website is one of the most trusted sources of IT security information around.

Krebs on Security

Brian Krebs blogs regularly about news and investigation in the cybersecurity world, covering everything from skimming devices to data breaches.

The Hacker News

One of the most trusted InfoSec channels for many years, this website discusses hacking, cyber attacks, malware, spying, and much more. You can also find deals on education and merchandise.

Schneier on Security

Bruce Schnier has published countless books and articles on information security technology. He's a trusted expert in the field and his security site comprises numerous publications and opinions from across the web.

Graham Cluley

An independent podcaster, blogger, public speaker, and IT security analyst, Graham has been discussing InfoSec for years. His site is a great central resource for all sorts of relevant content about cybersecurity, including articles, videos, and podcasts.

TaoSecurity

If you've got an interest in government security and strategy, follow renowned security expert and author Richard Bejtilch's blog, which has been a leading InfoSec site for over 15 years.

CyberArk

Created by an organization that works to prevent cybersecurity attacks at over 50% of Fortune 500 companies, you'll find two blogs on the website: one on threat research and a news one. Both are worth following to stay up-to-date with all things cybersecurity.

Threat Post

This site is an independent news source that provides continuous updates about cybersecurity and business security, including information breaches, vulnerability, and privacy matters.

Security Affairs

This site is run by Pierluigi Paganini, who is both a member of ENISA (European Union Agency for Network and Information Security) and a contributor to The Hacker News. His site covers data breaches, cyber crimes and warfare, hacking, the deep web, hacktivism, laws and regulations, and more.

Cybersecurity Books

Whether you're a cybersecurity beginner or you've been in the industry for years, you'll want to keep some key books on hand that you can reference throughout your career. Although books may not deliver breaking news as quickly as a blog can, they are relevant resources for industry strategy, history, and more detailed research.

Here are some of the best cybersecurity books to add to your bookshelf.

Practical Malware Analysis: The Hands-On Guide to Dissecting Malicious Software

by Michael Sikorski and Andrew Honig

This book is one of the top-rated cybersecurity books by quite a few experts in the field. It provides comprehensive coverage of basic and in-depth malware analysis techniques.

Cybersecurity for Beginners

by Raef Meeuwisse

This is one of the best cybersecurity books for beginners. Even if your background is non-technical, you'll be able to follow these steps to keeping your information secure.

Cybersecurity: A Business Solution: An Executive Perspective on Managing Cyber Risk

by Rob Arnold

This book is geared toward anyone in an executive or leadership position — technical or non-technical — and it explains the importance of informed decision making when creating cybersecurity plans.

Applied Cryptography: Protocols, Algorithms, and Source Code in C

by Bruce Schneier

Although this book recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, it's still one of the best-selling cybersecurity books, and is considered the definitive guide to cryptographic protocols and techniques.

The Art of Computer Virus Research and Defense

by Peter Szor

While the book is considered a bit dated, it's still the most comprehensive text on the subject of computer viruses and how to fight them.

Network Security Assessment: Know Your Network

by Chris McNab

This invaluable text enables you to perform penetration tests on your existing network in a structured manner, exposing vulnerabilities that need to be addressed.

Malware Analyst's Cookbook: Tools and Techniques for Fighting Malicious Code

by Michael Leigh and Steven Adair

This is one of the best cybersecurity textbooks out there — it provides the tools you need to fight the onslaught of viruses, spyware, rootkits, adware, Trojan horses, and worms.

Books about Hacking

Hacking Exposed 7: Network Security Secrets and Solutions 7th Edition

by Stuart McClure, Joel Scambray, and George Kurtz

This network security book delves into the actions hackers take when they attack, as well as the countermeasures required to fight back.

Black Hat Python

by Justin Seitz

This book teaches essential hacking strategies using Python. Whether you're an ethical hacker or someone who is chasing unethical ones, this book is a must-read.

Gray Hat Hacking: The Ethical Hacker's Handbook, 5th Edition

by Daniel Regalado, Shon Harris, Allen Harper, Chris Eagle, Jonathan Ness, Branko Spasojevic, Ryan Linn, and Stephen Sims

This is an industry-standard security text that explains how to use ethical hacking techniques to support and protect computer networks.

Hacking: The Art of Exploitation, 2nd Edition

by Jon Erickson

This cybersecurity hacking book examines the fundamentals of C programming, network communications, and machine architecture, all from a hacker's perspective.

The Shellcoder's Handbook: Discovering and Exploiting Security Holes

by Chris Ansley, John Heasman, Felix Lindner, and Gerardo Richarte

Much of cybersecurity is preemptive — knowing where your systems are weak and penetrable. This text shows you how to find these weaknesses before hackers are able to exploit them.

While it may be a bit overwhelming to see such a long list of cybersecurity resources, remember — you can take in new information at your own pace. Plus, your individual career path will influence which of these websites, blogs, and books are the best picks for your unique needs. As long as you're constantly learning and self-improving, you'll enjoy a successful and fulfilling career in cybersecurity.