It is no news that cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility and not just an IT department’s problem. Due to the incredible speed of the advancements in the cybersecurity field, new job opportunities are flourishing. That is why cybersecurity skills continue to be on top of the lists as technology in-demand skills.
If you are interested in entering this world of opportunities, these books will be a great source and will introduce you to the information you need to get started and be ahead of the game. This article will take you through the top books that you should read in 2021. These books are packed with insights from real-world situations and examples that will teach us what to look out for so that we are equipped with the right information and prevent ourselves from falling prey to cybercriminals.
Ghost in the Wires: My Adventures as the World’s Most Wanted Hacker by Kevin Mitnick and William L. Simon
Ghost in the Wires is a fascinating book covering a very important topic: Social Engineering. This book has been written by the world’s most wanted hacker, in a way that most people can understand. It presents thrilling true stories on how he got started, his successes, betrayals, and lessons learned. It provides an understanding of social hacking and insights on the rise of information technology, which will help you understand a hacker’s mindset. Kevin and his co-author provide valuable insights on how to be aware of the security risks of today’s digital world.
Cult of the Dead Cow: How the Original Hacking Supergroup Might Just Save the World by Joseph Menn
Cult of the Dead Cow is a highly informative book, suitable for non-IT readers too, which engages readers that are interested in the history of computer hacking at the beginning of the internet. The author does a very impressive job in telling the story of one of the most influential hacker groups, Cult of the Dead Cow. Readers will have the chance to explore the deeper impacts of the early hacker culture as told by people that lived it. It provides insights into how companies, governments, and criminals came to hold immense power over individuals and how they fought against them.
The Code Book: The Science of Secrecy from Ancient Egypt to Quantum Cryptography by Simon Singh
This is a perfect book for individuals that like science and history. It is an interesting introduction to the world of cryptography where the author offers a glimpse of the codes and cryptography world, from ancient text to computer encryption. The author provides portraits of the remarkable personalities who wrote and broke the world’s most difficult codes as well as technical and mathematical explanations.
Social Engineering: The Science of Human Hacking by Christopher Hadnagy
It is known that targeting a human is sometimes the easiest way to gain access to computer systems, because it is easier to only ask for access than to hack into something. This is a well-written book and perfectly combines useful knowledge together with actionable techniques. In this book, the author explains the most used methods, and the psychology behind each interaction, which in some cases fooled even the most experienced security employees. Packed with examples, personal stories (successes and failures), and the latest methods, this book shows you how to identify, predict, and avoid social engineering. By gaining a thorough understanding of this book, you will be able to protect yourself as well as your company from potential cyber attacks.
