Listen in: Cybersecurity Podcasts for 2024

Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on

Learn about five of the top cybersecurity podcasts for 2022, genres of cybersecurity podcasts and tips for choosing the best podcasts.

[Featured image] Two females, one wearing a green sweater and the second with long brown hair, are sitting in a room with a microphone wearing headphones on a desk, as they prepare to broadcast their cybersecurity podcast.

If you’re a cybersecurity professional or interested in cybersecurity trends, you can enjoy many related podcasts. Great podcasts with knowledgeable hosts and interesting conversations may help you stay updated with the latest trends and news. 

Cybersecurity podcasts share knowledge about industry best practices for protecting data, tips on securing networks, and case studies on recent breaches and exploits. Learn about five of the top cybersecurity podcasts for 2023, genres of cybersecurity podcasts, and tips for choosing the best ones. 

5 cybersecurity podcasts to try in 2023 

If you’re interested and want to learn about the cybersecurity world, these five podcasts will be good options for you. We've compiled our list based on their rankings, ratings, and reviews on Apple Podcasts from US audiences. 

1. Darknet Diaries

Apple Podcasts Rank: #4

Rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars from 6.8K ratings

Darknet Diaries produces audio stories that inform and entertain technical and non-technical audiences. Darknet Diaries dives into cybersecurity events, real stories from the industry, and provides objective knowledge. 

2. CyberWire Daily

Apple Podcasts Rank: #20

Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars from 898 ratings

CyberWire Daily is a trustworthy podcast that provides professionals with quick updates on the cybersecurity industry. The podcast includes analysts, experts, and writers who carefully construct stories and work hard to stay updated on an ever-changing market.  CyberWire Daily is based in Baltimore, just miles away from major cybersecurity companies. 

3. Malicious Life 

Apple Podcasts Rank: #30

Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars from 869 ratings

Sponsored and produced by Cybereason, Malicious Life looks at the stories behind cyber crimes and motivates people to create a business model out of hacking, cyber attacks, ransomware, and more. Host Ran Levi interviews real-life hackers and cybersecurity professionals and explores the industry's history from the 1970s to the present.

4. Smashing Security 

Apple Podcasts Rank: #91

Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars from 275 ratings

Hosted by Graham Cluley and Carole Theriault, Smashing Security is a lighthearted dialogue about cybercrime, hacking, and privacy. This podcast is the winner of the “Best Security Podcast” in 2018 and 2019 and the “Most Entertaining” in 2022. 

5. Risky Business 

Apple Podcasts Rank: #110

Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars from 334 ratings

Risky Business is a weekly cybersecurity podcast featuring news and interviews with industry leaders. This podcast started in 2007 and is highly recommended for industry professionals. Patrick Gray, an award-winning journalist, hosts Risky Business.

Genres of cybersecurity podcasts

While cybersecurity is a serious topic, that doesn’t mean every podcast is dry and to the point. A wide range of genres is available covering the cybersecurity industry. 

News and commentary/headlines 

Many podcast options offer breaking news and general cybersecurity discussions. The Hacker News, Security Weekly, and Daniel Miessler are great podcasts to check out. These shows help you stay updated on cyber practices, information security, and tech news. 

Topical

Many cybersecurity podcasts provide interesting and relevant information that is valuable for industry professionals. Listeners can directly use the information for their profession and keep up with current trends while forecasting future trends to watch out for. Talking Tech features five-minute episodes focusing on industry innovations. Security Simplified helps small and mid-sized business owners understand threats to their information.

Professionals Q&A 

Another cybersecurity podcast genre is question and answer (Q&A) with industry professionals. These podcasts offer a lot of insight for anyone wanting to learn about the ins and outs of cybersecurity practices. The professionals on these shows can give you a broad spectrum of knowledge you can easily apply to your work. 

Humor 

Some podcasts take on a lighter tone in cybersecurity while remaining informative and technical. Smashing Security, and Security Now! are three highly rated cybersecurity podcasts that take a more comical and lighthearted approach while remaining informative. 

Tips for choosing a cybersecurity podcast 

With so many options, choosing the right cybersecurity podcast may require a little research. Fortunately, there are many different cybersecurity podcast topics, styles, and focuses you can browse. Some cybersecurity podcasts are high-level and informative, while others are far more technical, so choose a podcast that’ll engage you and is at your level. 

Ratings and reviews  

You can select a podcast based on ratings and reviews. Rating websites, such as Chartable, Podchaser, Podcast Review, and Podrover, colate reviews from listeners and rankings from podcast platforms. Podcast apps also provide ratings, rankings, and reviews, including Apple Podcast, Spotify, Pocket Casts, PlayerFM, and Google Podcasts.

Host 

Another great way to see if a podcast interests you is by doing a bit of research on the host. Hosts have varying styles and backgrounds. Research podcast hosts to find ones that are knowledgeable and that interest you.

Content 

The subject matter differs between cybersecurity podcasts. Some shows focus on specific industry topics, give news updates, have guests, or try to add humor. Finding podcasts that consistently provide engaging content to you decide the best ones for you. 

Duration 

If you tune in during your lunch break or commutes, you might want to listen to a shorter, more condensed summary of events happening during the week. You may want a longer, more comprehensive listen if you're listening to a podcast while working out or relaxing. 

Listening platforms

Most podcasts are available on all listening platforms, but this isn’t always the case. Check for options on your platforms, and narrow the possibilities down. This will ensure you always have access to the latest episode, whether you’re listening in your office or car.

Learn more about cybersecurity

If you’re interested in starting a career in cybersecurity, consider the Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate on Coursera. This program is designed ​​to help individuals with no previous experience find their first job in the field of cybersecurity, all at their own pace. The courses cover topics such as security models, tools that are used to access and address threats, networks, and more. 

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