Cybersecurity resources come in all forms as that applies to blogs, podcasts, forums and much more. We have put together a comprehensive list of the most useful cybersecurity resources available to users of all skill levels. This is one extensive collection of resources that prove valuable to cybersecurity enthusiasts at all levels. Being able to quickly turn to useful resources can help in a variety of ways. Here is a look at our detailed list of cybersecurity resources that can be of great value.
Cybersecurity Groups
Cybersecurity groups are not limited to in-person meetups as enthusiasts and analysts from around the world can convene in all types of virtual groups. These groups range from official organizations to social media groups. Joining most groups is rather straightforward and many cybersecurity professionals belong to multiple groups. Here is a look at some of the cybersecurity groups that are open to welcoming new members.
As an ISF member, users have access to an extensive library of reports on cyber risk information. This group was created with the purpose of meeting a variety of security challenges that have the potential to impact businesses on a daily basis. It is also a resource to use for practice standards and industry insights.
This is one of the many cybersecurity groups on LinkedIn. With over 34,000 members, there is the ability to network and become familiar with other members of the cybersecurity community. Users must submit a request to join this group and many members also belong to other similar LinkedIn communities.
National Cybersecurity Student Association
The NCSA is the largest group of cybersecurity students anywhere in the world. This group helps to connect students with internships, employers and also lists upcoming conferences and seminars. Networking is another asset offered through this organization, which continues to grow every year.
This group has more than 72,000 members and averages 120 posts per day. This allows users the opportunity to read social media posts and interact with other members. While the group is moderated, there is no official organization that oversees this social media group.
Information Security Research Association
The ISRA has chapters all over the world with one in the United States. The chapter has designations for professionals, students and organizations. It also partners with research organizations to provide cybersecurity activities and awareness to all members.
Executive Women’s Forum on Information Security, Risk Management & Privacy
This is an excellent resource for females in the cybersecurity sector. This organization offers a variety of programs for women on all levels, in addition to leadership opportunities, networking possibilities as this group which continues to help pave the way for women in cybersecurity.
MESA International Cybersecurity Working Group
This group welcomes contributors who are open to developing original content for cybersecurity as it pertains to industrial or manufacturing systems. The first step to contributing is to join MESA as a member.
Open Web Application Security Project
Also known as OWASP, this group is 46,000 members strong. There are numerous chapters based on geographic regions throughout the country and it is also a vendor neutral group.
This is a LinkedIn group with a membership count of more than 22,000 people. It is a place for cybersecurity professionals to exchange ideas, share stories and collaborate against new and existing security threats.
There is the option to join several different communities that are all volunteer based. This provides the opportunity to learn, help and collaborate all in one online community.
Cybersecurity Contests and Competitions
Cybersecurity contests and competitions serve many purposes. They are a way for individuals to test their skills and also a way to identify the upcoming talent in the industry. These are often viewed as a means of workforce development. Some competitions can be done virtually and here is a look at some of the respected cybersecurity contests and competitions.
The NCL provides an open cyber competition that is performance based. These competitions are open to students at the college and high school level and typically run seasonally.
This is a program that has the full support of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It features cyber quests, which have different levels of competitions in a variety of areas.
National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition
This competition tests infosec skills in an elimination style format. Regional competitions allow competitors to qualify for national level showdowns in a virtual format that has been going on since 2004.
Instituted by the Department of Energy, this is aimed to be a workforce development competition for college students. Volunteers are also requested to play the part of hackers as there are a series of teams and a panel in the competition.
This tournament is sponsored by the SANS Institute as it tests competitors in an array of areas, including incident response, digital forensics, malware analysis, threat hunting, Windows forensics and more.
A global competition that features competitors from around the world. The premise is based on a financial disaster of catastrophic proportions as competitors must come up with specific policy recommendations and more.
CompTIA Student Cybersecurity Competition
There are both individual and team competitions which can exceed seven people. The competition tests several areas, including password cracking, log analysis, open source intelligence.
This site lists online hackathons which provide prize money to winners. Many of these hackathons have hundreds of participants and offer substantial payouts to the victors. The experience also allows contestants to learn new technologies.
Digital Forensics Security Treasure Hunt
There are several rounds in this digital forensics challenge as each step builds off the previous one. It is strictly an online activity with no prize money and is conducted for sheer enjoyment.
Presidents’ Cup Cybersecurity Competition
This was established in 2019 and is sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security. There are individual challenges, as well as team challenges that draw from eight NICE framework roles.
Cybersecurity resources come in all forms as that applies to blogs, podcasts, forums and much more. We have put together a comprehensive list of the most useful cybersecurity resources available to users of all skill levels. This is one extensive collection of resources that prove valuable to cybersecurity enthusiasts at all levels. Being able to quickly turn to useful resources can help in a variety of ways. Here is a look at our detailed list of cybersecurity resources that can be of great value.
Cybersecurity Blogs
There is an abundance of blogs available on cybersecurity, although it is important to stay with the ones that are most credible. Most of the top blogs are overseen by cybersecurity professionals who are very well established and have a vast among of credibility. Here is a look at the top cybersecurity blogs to follow and stay updated on the latest news, trends and insights.
This blog has been around since 2013 and is regularly updated with relevant articles. These timely and well-written blog entries stay updated on the latest developments and occurrences in cybersecurity.
Brian Krebs is a former reporter for the Washington Post and has emerged as a leading investigative authority on computer security. His blog is considered one of the best in cybersecurity.
A visit to the site of computer security analyst provides more than just blog entries. It also offers podcasts, newsletters and more. Cluley has earned awards for his contributions to cybersecurity and is also a revered public speaker.
Bruce Schneier is known on the international landscape for his expertise in computer security. He is also an accomplished author and widely recognized name in the industry with a blog that provides fresh content.
This is a comprehensive collection of relevant news, articles and other industry-related topics. The blog utilizes a host of writers in the industry to contribute to what it is a heavy dose of daily information.
This site delivers multiple daily entries that highlight the latest developments in cyber security. This combines a host of contributing writers with a complete overview of the latest in cybersecurity.
The CSO blog has different varieties that concentrate on different regions of the world. The CSO United States version provides daily articles, which are designed top help the security industry stay ahead of the latest threats.
Quantity is king on this blog as it features a long list of daily entries. Users can visit this website daily to get a complete dose of the latest cybersecurity news while also being able to check out a video channel.
This is a blog produced by the security provider McAfee. The blog is also broken down into sections geared for businesses and individual users. The latest in emerging threats remain a constant focus on this site.
Every day, a new topic in cybersecurity is explored. The latest trends and research regularly show up in what is a useful collection of information for cybersecurity analysts and enthusiasts.
Cybersecurity Conferences and Conventions
Cybersecurity conferences and conventions occur throughout the year and even when events cannot take place in person, they can be switched over to a virtual format. These are an excellent way to enhance one’s overall knowledge base in cybersecurity. It also affords the opportunity to do a lot of valuable networking with other members of the cybersecurity industry. Many of the most popular conferences and conventions are recurring and take place on an annual basis. Here is a look at some of the more notable ones.
Def Con
This convention takes place mid-summer in Las Vegas and began in 1993. It features an assortment of events, competitions, scavenger hunts and other cybersecurity-related activities.
There are almost 2,000 annual conferences supported by the IEEE, which continues to be one the leaders in cybersecurity. Conferences are open all over the world and are comprised of industry experts offering the latest information on a multitude of infosec topics.
Every year, the SANS Institute holds a host of conventions that typically last a couple of days. Some of these events have switched to a virtual format, but remain intact as SANS continually puts together informative sessions all over the country.
There is a number of conferences sponsored by Black Hat around the world and many have gone to a virtual format. Black Hat has been providing briefings for the past 20 years on the latest in cybersecurity and it has become a valuable resource for security professionals.
This annual event offers free training, a job fair, game shows and more. There are also guest speakers offering expert insight and advice on a variety of topics.
This is a large-scale global event that draws a large audience from all over the world. Keynote speakers, networking opportunities and an abundance of demos highlight this popular event that is held annually.
This annual conference is an IBM-run event that features more than 1,000 technical demonstrations. Many of the top IBM security analysts and experts share their insight at this popular event.
This event has been running annually for more than a decade and is described as a hackers conference. Only attendees are given the whereabouts of the annual conference a few days before it begins. Thotcon is, however, set somewhere in Chicago.
The primary aim of this annual conference are to provide collaboration, education and innovation in cybersecurity, This is accomplished through the provision of a detailed curriculum with a long list of keynote speakers.
This group hosts more than two dozen cybersecurity events every year throughout the United States. There is even a FutureCon app available to stay updated on the latest conferences and events.
Cybersecurity Training
One great part about the digital age is that training of all types does not have to be done in person. Cybersecurity training is no different as there is a variety of avenues to choose from. Training does not have to be affiliated with a college or university. It also does not have to come with tuition costs or high membership fees. Furthermore, training is available for beginners as well as experienced professionals. Here is a look at some valuable training resources in the cybersecurity sector.
International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium
This is a worldwide association that provides certifications and continuing education in the field of cybersecurity. Also known as (ISC)2, provides certification test preparation in addition to other types of training as it is recognized as one of the most reputable sources for cybersecurity certifications in the world.
This is a familiar name to all those in the cybersecurity industry. SANS is considered to be the premiere provider of security information research and offers online training as well as in-person training. SANS offers a myriad of certifications and continues to be highly respected in the cybersecurity community.
This group provides more than 200 free webinars that are available online. A Knowledge Center provides insight to users anywhere in the world. Users can register for free and take advantage of the abundance of educational resources offered through this website.
National Cyber Security Alliance
The goal of this organization is to enhance digital security for individuals and businesses. This provides detailed steps that cover threat protection, detection and response. There are detailed steps involved as users can ascertain this valuable knowledge through an online format, which is free.
The IEEE Cybersecurity Initiative brings together professionals, students, researchers and many others as one of the leading organizations in the world. There is a detailed amount of training, research and other resources available to members.
Cybrary IT
A variety of training courses and certifications are available through this website. There are even free courses that can be taken completely online. Some courses require a fee but there are a lot that do not require payment.
Federal Virtual Training Environment
Free online cybersecurity training is available through this website for veterans and government employees. There are also some free online courses available to the general public.
There are free online training programs available at Fortinet as this website offers a wide range of services, which also includes certifications, webinars, data sheets and more.
This website is an affordable way to learn a great deal about cybersecurity. There are minimal fees for a variety of training courses that can be taken on the comfort of one’s own home.
This is an online platform that offers individuals and companies the opportunity to test their pen testing skills. New challenges are unveiled on a weekly basis as this is an excellent way for ethical hackers to sharpen their skills.
Cybersecurity Podcasts
Cybersecurity podcasts are becoming increasingly popular as it is one more way to convey ideas and insights into the latest industry trends and threats. Podcasts are available on different platforms, most of which are free to download. More podcasts are emerging, although not all carry the same level of respectability. Here is a look at some cybersecurity podcasts that are highly recommended.
Security Weekly
Renowned expert Paul Asadoorian highlights the assortment of IT security podcasts on Security Weekly. There are podcasts focusing on all different types of security, including applications, enterprise, compliance and more.
Rafal Los and James Jardine host this weekly podcast that deals with the balancing act of security and usability. The dup touches on the latest security industry news and occurrences as well.
The Privacy, Security & OSINT Show
There are close to 200 archived podcasts available for free. Michael Bazzell hosts the podcast and relies on industry expertise to introduce a variety of relevant topics in cybersecurity.
Industry expert Graham Cluley teams up to host this weekly podcast. He is joined by fellow expert Carole Theriault as they host weekly guests and discuss the latest in cybersecurity.
This is a community podcast network that brings together a collection of podcasts about cybersecurity. There is an array of options when listening with all sorts of episodes to choose from.
Cybersecurity and Social Media
Cybersecurity experts and analysts continue to share their knowledge on all different platforms. Twitter has become one of the more popular spots for many of the industry elite as they continue to provide valuable insight and information. Twitter feeds of cybersecurity professionals can be extremely useful as well as entertaining. Here is a look at some of the cybersecurity specialists worth following on Twitter.
With more than 164,000 followers, Hunt is very active on Twitter, He constantly provides insightful information on data breaches, along with links to his own original content available on his personal website.
This man really does it all as he is one of the more active and prominent analysts in the public eye. Following him on twitter is another thing on the to-do list for cybersecurity aficionados.
One of Europe’s top infosec advisors, Honan is extremely active on Twitter. His daily tweets provide a plethora of insight news and information that can benefit those at all levels of cybersecurity.
Another must follow in the cybersecurity industry. Krebs needs little introduction as the best-selling author has hundreds of thousands of followers on Twitter.
She is currently the Director of Cybersecurity for the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Her Twitter activity is valuable for many of the links she provides, along with industry insight of her own.
An expert security consultant, Mitnick is a veteran in the field of cybersecurity. He is also an accomplished public speaker, who regularly provides links to his public appearances, videos and more.
This security expert brings a bit of levity and light-heartedness with his tweets. This is combined with informative links on relevant subjects as his twitter activity is unique when compared to similar consultants and analysts.
A self-proclaimed cyber feminist, Chilly will provide your Twitter feed with a different outlook. She celebrates women in the industry as that is a common theme within a lot of her tweets.
His tweets link to some very authoritative articles he has written on relevant topics that have recently surfaced. Following Steinberg will provide a wealth of useful information on a regular basis.
Informative and entertaining, Whittaker will not disappoint. Whittaker introduces new findings and combines those tweets with a sense of humor that makes his Twitter feed a rather enjoyable one to follow.
Open Source Cyber Tools
Open source cybersecurity tools enable the public to modify and design their cybersecurity. Mostly all open source tools remain free of charge, although not all are created equal. There are differences in functionality, performance and overall capabilities. That is why it is important to go with one that meets specific needs and here is a look at some highly recommended open source tools.
One of the most recognized open source tools, this provides a host of benefits, including single sign on, automated provisioning and more. There are also no enforceable time limits when it comes to user subscriptions.
The open source management tools available on Gluu are rich in features. The perks of Gluu include two factor authentication, directory integration and it is also built to scale.
This caters more towards enterprise environments and is revered for its access management capabilities. There is also monitoring available for third-party apps which boosts its overall security capabilities.
Produced by Evolveum, the Midpoint offers a host of helpful downloads while also catering to the education, financial and government sectors. Midpoint is scalable and has an assortment of unique features.
With the ability to adequately enforce user authentication requests, enterprises who chose this option can scale their growth. Supplying a metadata aggregator is another benefit of choosing Shibboleth.
Cybersecurity Forums
Various online forums give individuals the chance to interact with other like-minded cybersecurity enthusiasts. There is an assortment of forums available that allow users to post topics and respond to others 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Another benefit is that most cybersecurity forums are free and require a simple registration to get going. Here is a look at some of the popular online forums dealing with cybersecurity.
This forum is dedicated to the many different certification exams that exist. Users ask questions and offer feedback as there are a number of categories highlighting relevant topics.
This is an active forum that features many different security topics. There are hundreds of thousands of posts regarding a wide range of security topics as users can spend a lot of time perusing and learning on this forum.
Hosted by the security provider Comodo, this forum features categories on enterprise services, security products and much more. It is highly trafficked with an extensive forum population that makes for a wealth of conversation.
This community boasts over 50,000 members and has an immensity of categories to choose from. There is something for all users on this site as time could fly by while getting immersed within so many discussions.
The Cyber Security & Information Systems Information Analysis Center features a forum that has close to 4,000 members and delves into different cybersecurity topics.
Cybersecurity Associations
The field of cybersecurity continues to expand and with it are emerging organizations dedicated to the prevention of new threats. However, deciphering which organizations are most reputable is something that will help security analysts on all levels. Here is a look at some of the more integral associations to become familiar with in the industry.
The International Association for Cryptologic Research
The IACR is tasked with continuing cryptology research and that combines to form a host of publications. The IACR is also open for new members as it brings together a myriad of cryptology resources.
Information Systems Security Association
ISSA was created to provide a one-stop shop for cybersecurity professionals to add to their overall body of knowledge with a variety of online resources. It also provides a platform for peer interaction.
Association of Information Security Professionals
This association has a minimal membership fee and requires an application that must be approved in order to become a member. Memberships are available on a corporate, academic and individual level.
CompTIA Association for Information Technology Professionals
Membership is free for students and there is a $100 annual fee for other members. A membership opens up networking possibilities and also offers access to valuable industry research as this is considered very beneficial for students.
This association now features a portal that provides a variety of resources for women in the cybersecurity industry. There is also an annual conference, along with other beneficial resources available throughout the year.