Cybersecurity: 5 essential books

Much was written about cyber security. Novels, essays, articles, technical manuals: you can find anything! Here are 5 essential books to add to your reading list to dive deep into cybersecurity and hacking.

The Art of Intrusion: The Real Stories Behind the Exploits of Hackers, Intruders & Deceivers (Kevin Mitnick, 2005)

Kevin Mitnik, the famous hacker, delivers captivating tales of real people, whether they are white-hat or black-hat hackers. We also learn how the victims could have been spared. The reader emerges better informed and equipped to deal with industrial espionage or a hacker in search of thrills.

The Cuckoo’s Egg: Tracking a Spy Through the Maze of Computer Espionage (Clifford Stoll, 1989)

Even more than 20 years after its publication, this historical detective story is still relevant today. This is happening before the Internet is seen as a platform of choice for terrorists. In this first-person thriller, Clifford Stoll tells how he was alerted to the presence of an unauthorized user on his system while working at the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. His quest led him to “spy on the spy” and track down a network of individuals who threatened national security.

Countdown to Zero Day: Stuxnet and the Launch of the World’s (Kim Zetter, 2015)

Journalist Kim Zetter delivers a compelling story about the Stuxnet computer virus, which sabotaged Iran’s nuclear efforts. A real-life story that highlights that a digital attack can be as destructive as a physical weapon.

The Cyber Effects (Mary Aiken, 2017)

Cyberpsychology expert Marie Aiken discusses the influence of technology on the way we think, experience our emotions and behave. It provides a basis for better understanding the effects of the Internet on young people, development, social norms, privacy and our perception of the world. A troubling light on the digital revolution, but which provides us with some answers to ensure the safety and health of our children online.

Computer security – Ethical Hacking (2017)

This technical book is for anyone interested in learning more about information system security, vulnerabilities, and ethical hacking. The goal is to learn how to attack to better defend yourself. With this 800-page bible, the authors seek to make underground knowledge related to cybersecurity accessible.

Although the field of cybersecurity is constantly evolving, some books have stood the test of time. And you, what are your favorites? Which landmark books would you recommend to your colleagues in 2021?