Best Cyber Podcasts for Learners

The world of cybersecurity is dynamic, complex, and constantly evolving. Staying on top of the latest threats, technologies, and best practices can feel like a full-time job in itself. For aspiring cybersecurity professionals, seasoned experts, or simply curious minds, podcasts offer an incredible, accessible way to learn, stay informed, and get inspired. Whether you’re commuting, working out, or just relaxing, these audio resources transform passive listening into active learning.

But with so many cybersecurity podcasts out there, how do you know which ones are best for learners? We’ve curated a list of top-tier podcasts that offer a blend of news, deep dives, storytelling, and practical advice, perfect for anyone looking to build or advance their knowledge in cybersecurity.

1. The Storytellers: Immersive Learning Through Real-Life Narratives

Sometimes, the best way to grasp complex concepts is through engaging stories. These podcasts excel at making cybersecurity feel relatable and exciting by diving into real incidents and the human element behind the headlines.

Darknet Diaries

• What it is: Hosted by former network security engineer Jack Rhysider, Darknet Diaries explores true stories of hackers, breaches, cybercrime, and shadowy government activities. It’s less about technical tutorials and more about the thrilling narratives of the digital underworld.
• Why it’s great for learners: Jack’s exceptional storytelling makes complex technical concepts understandable for a broad audience. You’ll learn about different attack vectors, motivations behind cybercrime, and the human drama involved in major security incidents without needing a deep technical background. It’s an excellent gateway to understanding the broader cybersecurity landscape and its impact.
• Best for: Anyone interested in the human side of cybercrime, real-world case studies, and compelling narratives.

Malicious Life

• What it is: Hosted by author Ran Levi and sponsored by Cybereason, Malicious Life delves into the untold stories and historical accounts behind major cybersecurity incidents, hacks, and figures. It often features interviews with people who were directly involved.
• Why it’s great for learners: This podcast offers a unique historical perspective on cybersecurity, tracing the evolution of threats and defenses. By understanding the past, learners can better grasp the present and anticipate future challenges. The focus is on the “story” rather than overly technical details, making it highly accessible.
• Best for: History buffs, those who enjoy in-depth explorations of specific events, and learners looking for context on how the cybersecurity industry developed.

Hacking Humans (by CyberWire)

• What it is: A focused podcast from the CyberWire network, Hacking Humans explores the world of social engineering, phishing schemes, business email compromise (BEC), and other human-centric cyber exploits.
• Why it’s great for learners: Since the human element is often the weakest link in security, understanding social engineering is paramount. This podcast breaks down how attackers manipulate individuals, providing crucial awareness for both personal and organizational security. It’s practical and immediately applicable.
• Best for: Everyone, especially those who want to understand how cyber threats exploit human psychology and how to protect themselves and their organizations from these common attacks.

2. The Daily Dose: Staying Current with News and Trends

Cybersecurity is a fast-moving field. These podcasts are excellent for keeping up with daily or weekly headlines, emerging threats, and industry analysis, often delivered in digestible formats.

CyberWire Daily

• What it is: The flagship podcast from the CyberWire network, CyberWire Daily providing a daily rundown of the most important cybersecurity news and analysis from around the globe.
• Why it’s great for learners: This podcast is a fantastic way to start your day informed. Dave Bittner’s clear and concise delivery makes complex news stories easy to understand, even for newcomers. It often features interviews with experts, giving diverse perspectives on current events.
• Best for: Anyone who wants a quick, reliable, and consistent update on the latest cybersecurity news and developments.

Risky Business

• What it is: Hosted by Patrick Gray, Risky Business is a highly respected weekly information security news and current affairs podcast, featuring in-depth interviews with industry luminaries.
• Why it’s great for learners: While it can sometimes delve into more technical discussions, Risky Business offers comprehensive coverage of weekly cybersecurity news, often providing insightful analysis and dissecting major security events. It’s known for its “no-waffle” approach.
• Best for: Learners ready for a slightly deeper dive into weekly news, analysis, and expert opinions on the biggest cybersecurity stories.

SANS Daily StormCast

• What it is: A very brief, daily podcast from the SANS Internet Storm Center, offering a quick summary of current network security-related events and alerts.
• Why it’s great for learners: At just a few minutes long, this podcast is perfect for busy individuals who want to stay updated on critical alerts and vulnerabilities without a huge time commitment. It’s a great way to build the habit of daily security awareness.
• Best for: Those who need quick, actionable daily updates on current threats and security news.

3. The Technical Deep Dives: For the Aspiring Techies

If you’re looking to understand the mechanics behind cybersecurity and delve into more technical discussions, these podcasts offer invaluable insights.

Security Now

• What it is: Co-hosted by cybersecurity guru Steve Gibson and technology journalist Leo Laporte, Security Now offers weekly in-depth analyses of technical security topics, vulnerabilities, and solutions.
• Why it’s great for learners: Steve Gibson’s deep technical explanations are legendary. While episodes can be long, they provide unparalleled insight into how security mechanisms work, why certain vulnerabilities exist, and practical steps for protection. It’s an education in itself.
• Best for: Learners with some foundational technical understanding who want to dive deep into the inner workings of cybersecurity threats and defenses.

Paul’s Security Weekly

• What it is: A popular podcast hosted by Paul Asadoorian, Paul’s Security Weekly covering a wide range of information security topics, often including technical segments, product reviews, and interviews.
• Why it’s great for learners: Paul’s Security Weekly often features live demonstrations and discussions of security tools and techniques, making it very hands-on. It’s a great way to learn about penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, and other offensive and defensive security practices.
• Best for: Those interested in technical demonstrations, practical applications of security tools, and a broader understanding of the offensive and defensive aspects of cybersecurity.

Unsupervised Learning

• What it is: Hosted by Daniel Miessler, Unsupervised Learning condenses hours of research into a concise weekly summary of the most interesting developments in security, technology, and society.
• Why it’s great for learners: Daniel Miessler provides high-level insights and connections between disparate topics, helping listeners understand the bigger picture. His “five-minute update” segments are perfect for quick learning, and the longer analysis sections offer deeper understanding of trends.
• Best for: Learners who want a concise, intelligent summary of overarching trends in security and technology, without getting bogged down in excessive detail.

4. The Industry Insights: Exploring Career and Community

Beyond the technical aspects, understanding the industry, career paths, and the community is vital. These podcasts offer insights into the cybersecurity profession itself.

Hacker Valley Studio

• What it is: Hosted by Ron Eddings and Chris Cochran, Hacker Valley Studio explores the human element in cybersecurity, featuring conversations with industry leaders about their careers, challenges, and insights.
• Why it’s great for learners: This podcast offers valuable perspectives on career paths in cybersecurity, leadership, and the softer skills needed to succeed in the industry. It’s inspiring and helps learners understand the diverse roles within the field.
• Best for: Aspiring cybersecurity professionals, those seeking career guidance, and anyone interested in the human side of the cybersecurity industry.

CISO Series Podcast

• What it is: Hosted by cybersecurity journalist David Spark and veteran CISOs Mike Johnson and Andy Ellis, this weekly podcast, known as the CISO Series Podcast, delves into cybersecurity leadership, challenges, and the complex relationship between security practitioners and vendors.
• Why it’s great for learners: For those interested in the strategic and leadership aspects of cybersecurity, this podcast offers a unique perspective from top industry executives. It discusses real-world challenges CISOs face and how they approach security strategy.
• Best for: Learners interested in security leadership, governance, risk, and compliance (GRC), and understanding the executive perspective on cybersecurity.

Smashing Security

• What it is: Hosted by Graham Cluley and Carole Theriault, Smashing Security offers a lighthearted yet informative take on weekly cybersecurity news, covering everything from cybercrime to hacking and privacy.
• Why it’s great for learners: The hosts’ engaging banter and humorous approach make learning about security enjoyable. They simplify complex topics and provide practical advice, making it accessible for a wide audience.
• Best for: Those who prefer a more entertaining and conversational style of learning, while still gaining valuable security insights.

Getting Into Infosec

• What it is: This podcast focuses specifically on helping individuals break into and grow within the information security field, featuring interviews with professionals about their career journeys. You can find it on various podcast platforms, often under “Getting Into Infosec” or via the Infosec Institute’s podcast section.
• Why it’s great for learners: If you’re wondering how to start your cybersecurity career, this podcast is tailor-made for you. It provides practical advice, personal stories, and insights into different entry points and specializations.
• Best for: Absolute beginners and those actively planning their cybersecurity career path.

Pro-Tip for Learners: Don’t just listen! Take notes, look up unfamiliar terms, and follow the hosts and guests on social media (especially LinkedIn) to expand your network and continue your learning journey. Podcasts are a fantastic complement to formal education, certifications, and hands-on practice, providing an always-on source of knowledge and inspiration in the exciting world of cybersecurity.

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