Off the Fox Den Bookshelf: Security and Tech Books We Love

To make sure you aren’t outfoxed by cyber criminals, we have polled our team and are back with our 2024 cybersecurity book recommendations to help you level up your cybersecurity skills. This isn’t your typical book recommendation list; it’s a curated collection of books that our team has found to be the most engaging and valuable related to cybersecurity topics. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or just starting your journey, this curated list offers something for everyone.

Make sure to check out our last book recommendation post as well for more good reads: Selections From the Fox Den: Security and Tech Books We Recommend (and Enjoy!).

Cybersecurity Field Manual - Matthew Twells

From Bishop Fox's very own Senior Solutions Architect Matt Twells, the Cybersecurity Field Manual covers is everything from what popular cybersecurity jobs look like day-to-day, advice on getting the job, interview tips, rough career progression charts, and enough IT theory and explainers to get you well on your way to success.

“AI’s Best Friend” – Robert Hansen

AI has taken centerstage this year, and Robert Hansen, a hacker better known as RSnake, has become a pivotal figure in shaping the future of AI. In this book, he explores the potential risks and rewards of this symbiotic relationship and argues that what nascent AI needs is a true ally to aid its development into something that is beneficial to society.

MacOS and iOS Internals Series (Volume I: User Mode, Volume II: Kernel Mode, Volume III: Security and Insecurity) – Jonathan Levin 

Levin’s *OS Internals trilogy is engaging, well-researched and a delight to read. The trilogy uses reverse engineering and practical examples to deep dive into Apple's operating systems.

“Writing an Interpreter in Go” – Thorston Ball

“Writing an Interpreter in Go” is a step-by-step guide to making your own programming language. Learning to write your own programming language will help you understand how computers work – from the CPU to the operating system.

“Evading EDR: The Definitive Guide to Defeating Endpoint Detection Systems” – Matt Hand

“Evading EDR” is a fantastic resource that breaks down complex concepts into easy-to-digest bites. Matt Hand demystifies EDR by breaking down its components, explaining how it detects attacks, and revealing evasion techniques.

“The Art of Software Security Assessment: Identifying and Preventing Software Vulnerabilities” – Mark Dowd, John McDonald, Justin Schuh

This book is a classic. “The Art of Software Security Assessment” is a comprehensive guide to evaluating software security. Authored by leading experts in the cybersecurity field, this book will equip you with the skills to uncover the most subtle vulnerabilities and security flaws in software.

“The Tangled Web: A Guide to Securing Modern Web Applications” – Michal Zalewski

“The Tangled Web” is another classic that is back on our book recommendation list. This is an impressive book that gives a deep dive into browser security and breaks down how to perform complex tasks, use modern security features, and avoid common pitfalls.

“Serious Cryptography – A Practical Introduction to Modern Encryption” – Jean-Philippe Aumasson

“Serious Cryptography” is an accessible guide to modern cryptography. In this book, Aumasson, a noted cryptographer himself, covers fundamental concepts, practical applications, and the most common cryptographic algorithms. It's a valuable resource for both beginners and experienced practitioners.

“Adversarial Tradecraft in Cybersecurity: Offense Versus Defense in Real-Time Computer Conflict

“Adversarial Tradecraft” provides a wealth of knowledge about understanding and countering real-time cyberattacks. It covers techniques for both attackers (red team) and defenders (blue team), focusing on deception and live conflict. The book will teach you how to gain an advantage over opponents, disappear from detection, and uncover their motivations.

“Red Team Development and Operations: A Practical Guide” - Joe Vest and James Tubberville

Vest and Tubberville are seasoned professionals who leverage their extensive knowledge to deliver a structured approach to red team operations. This book provides comprehensive guidance on all aspects of red team operations, including planning, execution, and the use of TTPs to simulate real-world threats. Think of it as your ultimate guide to outsmarting threat actors and protecting your organization.

“CISSP for Dummies” – Lawrence C. Miller and Peter H. Gregory

Our team said it best: “Of all the ‘industry’ books that I've read, I thought that ‘CISSP for Dummies’ was the most well-written book that gives the best outline of the basic principles of infosec. Always smart to build on a strong foundation.” Plus, this book gives you access to online study tools and digital flashcards to help you prepare if you are planning to take the CISSP certification.

“Security Engineering, 3rd Edition” – Ross Anderson

This 2001 best-seller helped pioneer the field of security engineering. Now updated, this classic covers the foundation of how to design, implement, and test secure systems. Anderson also explores how security engineering has evolved in the digital age and covers current issues we face in our complex security environment, such as security psychology and managing security in agile development.

“Penetration Testing Azure for Ethical Hackers - Develop Practical Skills to Perform Pentesting and Risk Assessment of Microsoft Azure Environments” – David Okeyode and Karl Fosaaen

This book is indispensable for anyone working in Azure or M365 security. This hands-on guide will help you understand the attack paths hackers use in the Azure ecosystem and how to provide end-to-end cybersecurity for your environment using your own pen testing lab.

“Cyber Persistence Theory: Redefining National Security in Cyberspace (Bridging the Gap)” – Michael P. Fischerkeller (Author), Emily O. Goldman (Author), Richard J. Harknett

“Cyber Persistence Theory” looks at cyber warfare on a global scale and argues that states mistakenly approach cyber warfare with traditional military strategies, often resulting in strategic loss. The authors propose a new theory that focuses on the exploitative dynamics of cyber competition and would result in a more stable and secure cyberspace. Despite the complexity of the theories, the book is engaging and written in a way that's easy for beginners to understand.

Disclaimer: This is in no way an exhaustive list. Rather, think of it as a smattering of great cybersecurity reads – the ones that immediately come to mind when someone asks us, “Hey, what’s your favorite cybersecurity book?” Enjoy.

Thanks to Joe DeMesy, Nathan Elendt, Leron Gray, and Matthew Lapinski for their help in compiling this list!