15 Best Cybersecurity Books You Need in 2024 [Learn Cybersecurity NOW]

Today we’re looking at the best cybersecurity books of this year.

🧠 Did you know? According to Cybint, there’s been a 300% increase in reported cyber crimes since COVID-19.

What is cybersecurity?

Cyber attacks typically target sensitive information to access, change or destroy it. Cybersecurity is the protection of computer systems and networks from these digital attacks.

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TLDR: Best Cybersecurity Books This Year

🔥 Best Overall 🔥
Cybersecurity Ops with bash

💥 Best for Newbies 💥
How Cybersecurity Really Works: A Hands-On Guide for Total Beginners

💸 Best Value 💸
Tribe of Hackers: Cybersecurity Advice from the Best Hackers in the World

Best Cybersecurity Books

Now let’s dive into some of the best cybersecurity books of this year.

You’ll discover their:

• features
• core concepts
• layout
• comparisons

And more.

1. Cybersecurity Ops with bash: Attack, Defend, and Analyze from the Command Line

↘️ Ideal for: students, security practitioners, administrators
↘️ Topics covered: defensive security, penetration testing, security administration

Cybersecurity Ops with bash is a practical guide that shows you how to attack and defend from the command line.

➡️ Cybersecurity Ops with bash is one of the best cybersecurity books overall.

It shows you how to use the command line interface (CLI) and bash shell to perform tasks like:

✅ data collection and analysis

✅ intrusion detection

✅ reverse engineering

And administration.

The book is divided into four sections where you’ll learn the tools and techniques to monitor network:

1️⃣ foundations

2️⃣ defensive security operations

3️⃣ penetration testing

4️⃣ security administration

And more.

Bill found Cybersecurity Ops with bash to be incredibly helpful:

The authors have done a commendable job discussing and exploring the powerful capabilities buried in the command line language BASH.

– Bill

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2. How Cybersecurity Really Works: A Hands-On Guide for Total Beginners

↘️ Ideal for: students, business professionals
↘️ Topics covered: tactics and defense strategies

How Cybersecurity Really Works is similar to Cybersecurity Ops with bash.

But this guide to hacking basics is a little more beginner-friendly.

➡️ How Cybersecurity Really Works is one of the best cybersecurity books for students.

You’ll learn how to navigate:

✅ types of attacks

✅ tactics used by black hat hackers

✅ defensive strategies

And beyond.

With real-world examples and hands-on exercises, you’ll:

✅ analyze emails to detect phishing

✅ use SQL injection to attack a website

✅ use the command line to improve security

✅ create a risk management plan

And much more.

In all, How Cybersecurity Really Works teaches you how to implement cybersecurity measures on your devices.

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3. Tribe of Hackers: Cybersecurity Advice from the Best Hackers in the World

↘️ Ideal for: industry newbies, corporate climbers, consultants
↘️ Topics covered: cybersecurity misconceptions, cybersecurity credentials

Tribe of Hackers is different than Cybersecurity Ops with bash and How Cybersecurity Really Works.

Rather than learn the technical aspects of cybersecurity, you’ll find 70 interviews from cybersecurity experts.

➡️ Tribe of Hackers is one of the best cybersecurity books for students who want to learn from some of the world’s most notable hackers.

You’ll learn about:

✅ cybersecurity myths and misconceptions

✅ credentials you need for cybersecurity

✅ how social media and IoT has changed cybersecurity

And more.

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4. Cybersecurity and Cyberwar: What Everyone Needs to Know

↘️ Ideal for: beginners and experienced cybersecurity experts
↘️ Topics covered: how cybersecurity works, Anonymous, Stuxnet

Cybersecurity and Cyberwar is an easy-to-read manual using stories and anecdotes.

➡️ We think Cybersecurity and Cyberwar is one of those must-have cybersecurity books.

It answers some of the most pressing questions about cybersecurity such as:

✅ how it works

✅ why it matters

✅ what we can do

The book uses examples such as the Anonymous hacker group and the Stuxnet computer virus.

What cybersecurity students are saying about Cybersecurity and Cyberwar:

Anyone entering the cybersecurity field should read this book.

– Tiny

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5. Network Security Assessment: Know Your Network

↘️ Ideal for: beginners
↘️ Topics covered: vulnerabilities, techniques, countermeasures

Network Security Assessment explores how to perform network-based penetration testing.

➡️ Network Security Assessment is one of the best cybersecurity books showing you how to discover system vulnerabilities by attacking your own system.

First you’ll learn about common vulnerabilities.

Then you’ll discover attacker techniques and how to mitigate them.

Finally, you’ll explore how to test system components such as:

✅ Microsoft services

✅ TLS protocols

✅ Web server software

✅ database servers

✅ frameworks

And much more.

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6. Cybersecurity Incident Management Masters Guide

↘️ Ideal for: beginners and experienced cybersecurity experts
↘️ Topics covered: incident management

Cybersecurity Incident Management teaches you how to respond to cybersecurity threats using a well-planned and organized incident management program.

➡️ Cybersecurity Incident Management Masters Guide is one of the best cybersecurity books showing you how to be effective against most known and newly evolved cyber threats.

You’ll learn how to navigate the latest threats while examining:

✅ security controls

✅ regulatory requirements

✅ customer environment

✅ threat landscape

Developed over two decades, this incident management program will guide you through the incident response lifecycle.

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7. How to Measure Anything in Cybersecurity Risk

↘️ Ideal for: cybersecurity newbies
↘️ Topics covered: risk management approaches, methods

How to Measure Anything in Cybersecurity Risk takes a different approach to cybersecurity.

Rather than point out best practices and risk management, you’ll find their shortcomings. Then you’ll learn how to patch these holes and increase your security.

➡️ How to Measure Anything in Cybersecurity Risk is one of the best cybersecurity books for learning quantitative processes and techniques.

In fact, it will steer you away from dangerous risk management methods. And instead leave you with powerful protection.

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8. Cybersecurity and Third-Party Risk: Third Party Threat Hunting

↘️ Ideal for: beginner to intermediate cybersecurity practitioners
↘️ Topics covered: third-party risk management fundamentals, on-site due diligence, software supply chain security

Cybersecurity & Third-Party Risk teaches you how to squash vulnerabilities created by third parties.

➡️ Cybersecurity and Third-Party Risk will show you how to strengthen the weakest links in your cybersecurity chain.

Instead of a low-level checklist, you’ll create an active system of third-party cybersecurity risk minimization by practicing:

✅ third-party risk management fundamentals

✅ due diligence

✅ securing your software supply chain

✅ monitoring third-party vendors

And much more.

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9. Cybersecurity – Attack and Defense Strategies

↘️ Ideal for: penetration testers, security consultants, ethical hackers
↘️ Topics covered: security foundations, policies, security monitoring

Cybersecurity – Attack and Defense Strategies is for IT professionals looking for the latest techniques and skills for threat hunting.

➡️ Cybersecurity – Attack and Defense Strategies is ideal for cybersecurity professionals who want to understand cyber attacks through the lens of the attacker.

Going into the mind of a Threat Actor, you’ll learn how systems become compromised and how to exploit vulnerabilities in your own system.

You’ll also explore:

✅ attack strategy

✅ cyber resilience

✅ defense tools

✅ types of cyber attacks

✅ the disaster recovery process

And beyond.

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10. Cybersecurity: The Insights You Need from Harvard Business Review

↘️ Ideal for: companies, individuals
↘️ Topics covered: cybersecurity, case studies, hacking prevention

Cybersecurity: The Insights you Need covers cybersecurity foundations with practical case studies.

➡️ Cybersecurity: The Insights You Need from Harvard Business Review features cybersecurity precautions you can take to avoid becoming a hacking victim.

Looking into data security practices and identifying suspicious activity, you’ll gain the necessary insight to prepare for an inevitable hacking attempt.

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11. Cybersecurity Blue Team Toolkit

↘️ Ideal for: IT security professionals, technical analysts, program managers
↘️ Topics covered: best practices, security assessment, defense strategies

Cybersecurity Blue Team Toolkit has a useful blend of technical and non-technical aspects of cybersecurity to keep readers of all levels engaged.

➡️ Cybersecurity Blue Team Toolkit was created by a former Department of Defense employee.

While using best practices and tools, you’ll discover:

✅ security assessment

✅ protection strategies

✅ offensive measures

✅ remediation

And beyond.

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12. Cybersecurity: The Beginner’s Guide

↘️ Ideal for: cybersecurity newbies
↘️ Topics covered: security certifications, practice labs

Cybersecurity: The Beginner’s Guide is a hands-on approach to transitioning into the field of cybersecurity.

➡️ Cybersecurity: The Beginner’s Guide is one of the best cybersecurity books for beginners looking to transition into the field of cybersecurity.

In addition to practice labs, you’ll explore real-world use cases.

You’ll also become familiar with security certifications.

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13. Cybersecurity Essentials

↘️ Ideal for: cybersecurity newbies
↘️ Topics covered: fundamentals, defense, protocols

Cybersecurity Essentials is a comprehensive introduction to cybersecurity.

➡️ Cybersecurity Essentials is one of the best cybersecurity books for learning the basics of cybersecurity.

Here you’ll discover effective defense methods such as securing:

✅ infrastructure

✅ devices

✅ local networks

✅ the perimeter

You’ll find plenty of real-world scenarios and hands-on exercises.

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14. Cybersecurity for Beginners

↘️ Ideal for: non-technical newbies
↘️ Topics covered: risks, technical terms, the cloud

Cybersecurity for Beginners takes a non-technical approach to cybersecurity.

➡️ Cybersecurity for Beginners is one of the best cybersecurity books for non-technical newbies.

You’ll discover the importance of companies using cybersecurity in today’s technological landscape.

In addition, you’ll explore the risks associated with the cloud and smart devices.

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15. Cybersecurity Resilience Planning Handbook

↘️ Ideal for: executive & IT management, security administrators
↘️ Topics covered: cyber threats, building resilient systems

The Cybersecurity Resilience Planning Handbook helps you identify cyber threats and build resilient, secure systems.

➡️ Cybersecurity Resilience Planning Handbook is one of the best cybersecurity books you’ll find for high-level system defense.

There are over 150 workflow tools including:

✅ risk assessment worksheets

✅ forms

✅ checklists

✅ policies

With these tools, you can improve your cybersecurity program and stop cyber threats in their tracks.

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Best Cybersecurity Books: Conclusion

Let’s recap what we’ve looked at today.

Today we showed you the best cybersecurity books including:

🔥 Best Overall 🔥
Cybersecurity Ops with bash

💥 Best for Newbies 💥
How Cybersecurity Really Works: A Hands-On Guide for Total Beginners

💸 Best Value 💸
Tribe of Hackers: Cybersecurity Advice from the Best Hackers in the World

So whether you’re a total newbie or are looking to improve your cybersecurity skills, we think there are cybersecurity books for just about everyone.

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Cybersecurity buffs are also reading:

• 6 Best Cybersecurity Courses You Need
• 9 Best Hacking Courses & Books for This Year
• 13 Best Cryptography Books
• 11 Best IoT Books

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