Top Cybersecurity books recommended by experts

At MentorCruise, we are all about making the most out of the experience of others. As part of that, we've connected and asked dozens of experts and professionals about their favourite Cybersecurity books – and here are the answers.

Table of Contents

Fundamentals of Cybersecurity

Understanding the concepts of Cybersecurity starts with understanding the fundamentals. On your way to mastery, it's crucial for you to understand how certain concepts were derived, and why things work like they do. Starting with these resources is the best way to do so.

The Web Application Hacker's Handbook: Finding and Exploiting Security Flaws

The highly successful security book returns with a new edition, completely updated. Web applications are the front door to most organizations, exposing them to attacks that may disclose personal information, execute fraudulent transactions, or compromise ordinary users. This practical book has been completely updated and revised to discuss the latest step-by-step techniques for attacking and d…

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Information Security Policies, Procedures, and Standards: A Practitioner's Reference

Information Security Policies, Procedures, and Standards: A Practitioner's Reference gives you a blueprint on how to develop effective information security policies and procedures. It uses standards such as NIST 800-53, ISO 27001, and COBIT, and regulations such as HIPAA and PCI DSS as the foundation for the content.

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Applied Cryptography

This new edition of the cryptography classic provides you with a comprehensive survey of modern cryptography. The book details how programmers and electronic communications professionals can use cryptography-the technique of enciphering and deciphering messages-to maintain the privacy of computer data.

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Countdown to Zero Day: Stuxnet and the Launch of the World's First Digital Weapon

A top cybersecurity journalist tells the story behind the virus that sabotaged Iran's nuclear efforts and shows how its existence has ushered in a new age of warfare—one in which a digital attack can have the same destructive capability as a megaton bomb.

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Penetration Testing: A Hands-On Introduction to Hacking

In Penetration Testing, security expert, researcher, and trainer Georgia Weidman introduces you to the core skills and techniques that every pentester needs. Using a virtual machine–based lab that includes Kali Linux and vulnerable operating systems, you’ll run through a series of practical lessons with tools like Wireshark, Nmap, and Burp Suite. As you follow along with the labs and launch at…

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Cybersecurity All-in-One for Dummies

Cybersecurity All-in-One For Dummies covers a lot of ground in the world of keeping computer systems safe from those who want to break in. This book offers a one-stop resource on cybersecurity basics, personal security, business security, cloud security, security testing, and security awareness. Filled with content to help with both personal and business cybersecurity needs, this book shows yo…

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Additional Cybersecurity Reading

These books are not required for you to learn Cybersecurity, but they are highly recommended for you to deepen your knowledge.

Broken Money: Why Our Financial System Is Failing Us and How We Can Make It Better

Broken Money explores the history of money through the lens of technology. Politics can affect things temporarily and locally, but technology is what drives things forward globally and permanently.
The book's goal is for the listener to walk away with a deep understanding of money and monetary history, both in terms of theoretical foundations and in terms of practical implications. From she…

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Cybersecurity: The Beginner's Guide: A comprehensive guide to getting started in cybersecurity

This book put together all the possible information with regards to cybersecurity, why you should choose it, the need for cyber security and how can you be part of it and fill the cybersecurity talent gap bit by bit. Starting with the essential understanding of security and its needs, we will move to security domain changes and how artificial intelligence and machine learning are helping to se…

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Network Security Essentials: Applications and Standards

Network Securities Essentials: Applications and Standards introduces readers to the critical importance of internet security in our age of universal electronic connectivity. Amidst viruses, hackers, and electronic fraud, organizations and individuals are constantly at risk of having their private information compromised. This creates a heightened need to protect data and resources from disclos…

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The Cuckoo's Egg

When Cliff Stoll followed the trail of a 75-cent accounting error at his workplace, the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, it led him to the presence of an unauthorized user on the system. Suddenly, Stoll found himself crossing paths with a hacker named “Hunter” who had managed to break into sensitive United States networks and steal vital information. Stoll made the dangerous decision to …

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Eat Sleep Cyber Security Repeat: Cyber Security Analyst Notebook

This lined notebook makes a funny cyber security gift for cyber security analyst.

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Dark Wire: The Incredible True Story of the Largest Sting Operation Ever

The inside story of the largest law-enforcement sting operation ever, in which the FBI made its own tech start-up to wiretap the world, shows how cunning both the authorities and drug traffickers have become, with privacy implications for everyone.
In 2018, a powerful app for secure communications called Anom took root among organized criminals. They believed Anom allowed them to conduct bu…

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Specializations and Deeper Cybersecurity Knowledge

You've got your basics in order – time to move on to some advanced and specialized concepts. Cybersecurity is evolving every day, these books can help you master it.

Cybersecurity Career Master Plan: Proven Techniques and Effective Tips to Help You Advance in Your Cybersecurity Career

The book starts by helping you gain a foundational understanding of cybersecurity, covering cyber law, cyber policy, and frameworks. Next, you'll focus on how to choose the career field best suited to you from options such as security operations, penetration testing, and risk analysis.

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Enterprise Cybersecurity: How to Build a Successful Cyberdefense Program Against Advanced Threats

Enterprise Cybersecurity empowers organizations of all sizes to defend themselves with next-generation cybersecurity programs against the escalating threat of modern targeted cyberattacks. This book presents a comprehensive framework for managing all aspects of an enterprise cybersecurity program. It enables an enterprise to architect, design, implement, and operate a coherent cybersecurity pr…

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Cybersecurity Career Master Plan: Proven techniques and effective tips to help you advance in your cybersecurity career

Cybersecurity is an emerging career trend and will continue to become increasingly important. Despite the lucrative pay and significant career growth opportunities, many people are unsure of how to get started. This book is designed by leading industry experts to help you enter the world of cybersecurity with confidence, covering everything from gaining the right certification to tips and tool…

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(ISC)2 CISSP Certified Information Systems Security Professional Official Study Guide 9th Edition

(ISC)2 Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) Official Study Guide, 9th Edition has been completely updated based on the latest 2021 CISSP Exam Outline. This bestselling Sybex study guide covers 100% of the exam objectives. You'll prepare for the exam smarter and faster with Sybex thanks to expert content, knowledge from our real-world experience, advice on mastering this …

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CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) Cert Guide

CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CSA+) Cert Guide is a best-of-breed exam study guide. Expert technology instructor and certification author Troy McMillan shares preparation hints and test-taking tips, helping you identify areas of weakness and improve both your conceptual knowledge and hands-on skills. Material is presented in a concise manner, focusing on increasing your understanding and rete…

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The CERT Guide to Insider Threats: How to Prevent, Detect, and Respond to Information Technology Crimes (theft, Sabotage, Fraud)

Since 2001, the CERT® Insider Threat Center at Carnegie Mellon University’s Software Engineering Institute (SEI) has collected and analyzed information about more than seven hundred insider cyber crimes, ranging from national security espionage to theft of trade secrets. The CERT® Guide to Insider Threats describes CERT’s findings in practical terms, offering specific guidance and countermeasu…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

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Hello, I'm Abhishek Koserwal, a Principal Software Engineer at Red Hat and a dedicated mentor ready to guide you on your career journey. Whether you're just starting as a software engineer or trying to identify your best career path, I'm here to help you succeed. Designing your career: Together, we'll …

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Welcome to Your Next Step in Information Security Mastery! In a field as dynamic and critical as information security, your journey from learning the ropes to mastering the domain requires more than just technical knowledge—it demands a roadmap tailored to your unique career aspirations and challenges. That's where I come …

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Results-driven technology leader with over a decade of experience leading cloud transformation initiatives for Fortune 500 companies. As a former leader at AWS, I spearheaded high-profile projects that achieved 99.99% system uptime and cut incident resolution times by 40%. I specialise in transitioning organisations to cloud-native architectures across AWS, Azure, …

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My journey as a cybersecurity leader in innovative tech companies has provided me with invaluable insights into the intersection of cutting-edge technology and robust security measures. Through mentorship, I aim to impart these insights to aspiring cybersecurity professionals, helping them understand how to adapt cybersecurity strategies to the rapidly evolving …

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I'm a lifelong cybersecurity technologist turned entrepreneur. In 2016, I founded Sentant as my "side hustle" security consulting practice. It grew to over 30 employees, ~$6MM in revenue and was acquired in 2022. I've worked directly with dozens of startups over the years, both as a consultant and in-house. This …

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