Cybersecurity Resources for Professionals and Students

Whether you are earning a degree in cybersecurity or already working in the field, cybersecurity resources are essential.

Cybersecurity websites, books, and media not only provide information about the latest technologies and techniques in the field, they also unite you with cybersecurity colleagues and peers.

Knowing which tools are right for you can be difficult — and no two cybersecurity resources are alike. Here are some cybersecurity resources and the rundown of how to use them.

Books, Manuals, and Guides

Cybersecurity books, manuals, and guides often provide comprehensive information and practical guidance. You can revisit these materials as needed. They may be in print, but online versions are also likely available.

In 2020, Infosecurity Magazine offered its list of 10 must-read cybersecurity books. Cyber Defense Magazine put out a similar list in 2021.

Below are some of the essential reading materials from those lists:

• The Code Book: The Science of Secrecy from Ancient Egypt to Quantum Cryptography by Simon Singh is a journey through time to look at the history of cryptography.
• Ghosts in the Wires: My Adventures as the World's Most Wanted Hacker by Kevin Mitnick and WIlliam L. Simon (forward by Steve Wozniak) provides Mitnick's firsthand account of hacking.
• Hacking: A Beginners' Guide To Computer Hacking, Basic Security, and Penetration Testing by John Slavio is a practical handbook for people of all skill levels.
• Hacking: The Art of Exploitation by John Erickson explores how hacking techniques actually work.
• Social Engineering: The Science of Human Hacking by Christopher J. Hadnagy focuses on the motivations for hacking to help thwart future cybersecurity threats.

Cybersecurity Websites

Cybersecurity websites give guidance, insight into the industry, and may even list additional resources. Bookmark these sites:

• Cybrary is a collection of training programs, podcasts, case studies, and other useful materials for people at all stages of their cybersecurity careers.
• Cyber Security Hub brings together cybersecurity professionals to talk about the latest threats.
• National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies is a collection of information on cybersecurity education, training, and careers.
• U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is the official cybersecurity-focused website of the federal government.

Industry Conventions and Conferences

Cybersecurity conventions and conferences bring together like-minded people to exchange ideas, network, and foster communities. They often feature product demonstrations, presentations and roundtables, and opportunities to speak directly with vendors.

Some credentialing groups host industry conventions and conferences. Those groups include:

the EC-Council, the InfoSec Institute, ISACA, the SANS Institute, and (ISC)².

Others are provided by professional organizations like Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

Still more groups like Cyversity and the collective body that organize the International Cyber Expo seek to expand understanding of cybersecurity across populations.

Here is a sample of some industry conventions and conferences available:

• For students and professionals:
• Cyversity's annual conference
• IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy
• International Cyber Expo
• WebexOne's annual collaboration
• WiCyS Annual Convention

• For professionals:
• EC-Council's Global CISCO Forum
• FutureCon
• InfoSec World
• ISACA
• (ISC)² SECURE Summits
• SANS Summits

Membership Organizations

Membership organizations bring together cybersecurity students, researchers, and practitioners. Membership organizations do not always offer cybersecurity certifications and comparable credentials.

What unites membership organizations is their dedication to expanding cybersecurity knowledge and fostering innovation in the field.

Some international and national cybersecurity organizations have opportunities for regional and local participation alongside broader membership to the group. Below are just a few of the leading membership organizations in cybersecurity.

International and National Organizations

• IEEE (for professionals and students)
• International Association for Cryptologic Research (IACR) (for students and professionals)
• (ISC)² (for professionals)
• The International Association for Privacy Professionals (IAPP)
• Information Systems Security Association (ISSA) (for professionals)
• The National Cybersecurity Association (NCS) (for professionals)
• The SANS Institute (for professionals)
• WiCyS (for professionals and students)

Regional or State Organizations

• AFCEA International offers engagement and networking opportunities for people who seek to advance knowledge and relationships in military, government, industry, and academic aspects of communication, intelligence, information technology, and global security.
• ISACA delineates chapters by global region, country, and local area for members dedicated to excellence and transparency in digital security.
• ISSA's chapter directory has information about regional and local chapters worldwide.
• The Online Web Application Security Project has a global network of chapters of technologists and developers who seek to make the internet a safer place.

Local Organizations

• Cloud Security Alliance's chapters focus on defining and raising awareness of best practices for cloud computing security.
• Cyversity houses chapters in major metropolitan centers throughout the U.S.
• (ISC)² has local chapters to unite members who live and work near each other to advance cybersecurity safety.
• NCSA provides opportunities for students to form chapters on college and university campuses across the U.S.

News and Opinion

Keeping current in the world of cybersecurity is a lot of work. Industry leaders and membership organizations may offer newsletters and updates.

Additional outlets like newspapers, magazines, and other opinion pieces can help cybersecurity students and professionals keep their fingers on the pulse of all-things cybersecurity.

Here are a few top news and opinion cybersecurity websites:

• CSO Online includes blogs, articles, and research papers on security and risk management.
• Cyber Magazine serves as a community for global cybersecurity executives.
• Dark Reading, provided by Informa Tech, explores the latest stories related to cybersecurity.
• The Hacker News publishes breaking news and in-depth articles about hacking, cybersecurity, and data security vulnerabilities.
• The New York Times Cybersecurity section is a collection of articles about data safety and technology protection.
• Security Magazine serves physical and cybersecurity professionals alike.
• SecurityWeek explores cybersecurity news and information from a global perspective.
• TechCrunch focuses on startup and technology news for entrepreneurs and investors.
• Threatpost provides independent news and analysis of cybersecurity worldwide.
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security cybersecurity updates keep subscribers informed about the latest news and updates from the federal government.
• Unsupervised Learning serves up technology security news and updates each Monday morning.
• WeLiveSecurity provides cybersecurity news written by experts at its host company, ESET.

Podcasts, Blogs, and Social Media

Podcasts, blogs, and social media offer instant information on cybersecurity. With video, audio, and written content at the ready, much of this type of content overlaps with newsletters and opinion resources.

There are additional cybersecurity resources in these media, however. Told from the perspectives of professionals, former hackers, and experts in the field, these resources may include comedy and drama to make them as entertaining as they are informative:

Podcasts

• Darknet Diaries offers a look at cybersecurity through true stories about the dark side of the internet.
• Malicious Life tells stories about cybersecurity with insights from hackers and security experts.
• Risky Business is a weekly podcast about the biggest stories in cybersecurity.
• Smashing Security integrates comedy into conversations with cybersecurity experts.

Blogs

• The Cofense security blog covers topics including phishing, risk management, and cyberdefense.
• The Digital Shadows blog provides insights from cybersecurity experts and actors alike.
• SecureLink's blog focuses on critical access management, cybersecurity trends, and best practices in the cybersecurity industry
• The State of Security from Tripwire includes news and blog contributions from experts across the cybersecurity industry.

Social Media

• BleepingComputer on Twitter
• Thecybersecurityhub on Instagram
• CISA's Twitter account
• VX-Underground's Twitter account

Security Contests and Challenges

Security contests and challenges give cybersecurity students and professionals access to skill-testing activities.

Contests and challenges may be for fun, but prizes and prestige in the field commonly accompany participation. Schools, colleges, and universities often hold contests and challenges of their own, too.

Here are some noteworthy cybersecurity contests and challenges for people of all ages and skill levels:

• EC-Council University's Cyber Challenge offers the winner of this contest a $200 scholarship.
• National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition organizes its competition regionally for teams to participate.
• The National Cyber League hosts two online challenges each year.
• SANS Institute's Netwars has cybersecurity tournaments and continuous cybersecurity activities alike.
• CISA holds its President's Cup Cybersecurity Competition annually, online.

Training and Education

Having a career in cybersecurity means training and education never ends. Classes, certifications, and professional development all help students and professionals learn new technologies and skills.

Here are some cybersecurity training and education programs:

• CISA
• Cybersecurity bootcamps
• EC-Council
• InfoSec Institute
• (ISC)²
• ISCAC
• Programs offered by colleges and universities
• SANS Institute

Additional Cybersecurity Resources

This guide is not exhaustive. You can find cybersecurity resources through public libraries, college and university departments and tools, and from specific vendors.

Here are additional links, all dedicated to a specific topic within the discipline. If you want to know more about government jobs in cybersecurity or diversity in the field, check out the information below.

Questions About Cybersecurity Resources

Which cybersecurity websites are helpful to students?

Students benefit from cybersecurity websites that provide foundational information like definitions and answers to common questions. Websites that bring together communities of students also prove helpful.

What are the best resources for learning cybersecurity?

The best resources for learning cybersecurity are the ones that give you information you seek. Some resources provide information about earning a degree or training in cybersecurity, while others offer materials for self study.

What kind of resources do cybersecurity experts use?

Cybersecurity experts use resources that bring them the latest information about the field, like newsletters and blogs. They also network with colleagues and peers through professional organizations.

Are there cybersecurity podcasts that I should listen to?

Cybersecurity podcasts can be a fun way to learn about the field while staying informed and current. Follow cybersecurity podcasts that match your listening preferences and intellectual needs.

Reviewed by: Monali Mirel Chuatico