It has been two years since we last covered the top five cybersecurity podcasts. It seems like 2020 helped to throw a wrench in the gears, as well as provide more cyber content to discuss. The last time I covered this topic, it led to the beginning of many conversations, and I was able to meet with some of the organizations that were on the list and many that didn’t make the list. The best part of all of this is that the podcasts that didn’t make the list didn’t reach out to slam me or blast me for not adding them. In fact, it was just the opposite. I was praised for putting out an article that points out cybersecurity podcasts and then took the time to introduce me to their podcast and give me a brief overview of what they are doing in the cybersecurity space. I’m so proud of our cybersecurity community; there are good people doing good things out there.
Top 5 Cybersecurity Podcasts to Follow in 2021
The podcasts on this list bring a lot of value to the discussion. There are so many podcasts out there that are simply talking heads that don’t really bring anything exciting or insightful to the cybersecurity discussion. But these podcasts meet the mark, and while there are only five podcasts on this list, it doesn’t discount the other amazing podcasts out there that didn’t make it in my personal top five. If I have missed a great podcast, please send me a note or leave a comment so I can check it out.
1. Unsupervised Learning
This podcast made the list for one reason and one reason only… it is REAL. Daniel Miessler (pronounced ME-slur), is a cybersecurity professional and has been running his blog since 1999 and his podcast, Unsupervised Learning, since 2015. I love his podcast because he cuts right to the chase. In one of the episodes he even points out that he doesn’t do a lot of guests or other theatrics, he just shares the latest in cybersecurity and posts every Monday. Now, the only drawback to Daniel’s podcast is that it isn’t free… you can pay $59 annually for every episode through Apple Podcasts or Spotify podcasts. It might seem steep, but with 52 episodes a year, it’s a little more than $1 an episode, well worth it!
2. Darknet Diaries
“These are true stories from the dark side of the Internet…” That is hands down the catchiest hook of any podcast I’ve ever listened to. Once you hear that, you have to listen to the episode. If you haven’t heard of Darknet Diaries, then you’re welcome, you’ll be glad you listened. After searching for a podcast that captures the audience’s attention and provided interesting takes on hacking and cybersecurity came up short, Jack Rhysider created the first episode of Darknet Diaries. Since 2017 he has been creating awesome content week after week. As an added plus, if you like graphic novels, the artwork is right up your alley. Great artwork, great information and an engaging and relevant podcast, it’s time to explore the dark side…
3. Smashing Security
Any podcast that can bring in guests like Gary Kasparov, to talk about cybersecurity piques my interest. The Smashing Security Podcast did just that, and has had many other incredible guests join hosts Graham Cluley and Carole Theriault to chat about the latest in hacking, cybercrime, and online privacy. The podcast won the “Best Security Podcast” for both 2018 and 2019 and has over five million downloads. One of my favorite episodes of late is the one titled “Microsoft, McAfee and mayhem…” where they talk about John McAfee and his latest hijinks along with how much you think you know about the Microsoft Exchange mega hack. Fascinating podcast and lively hosts make this an easy to listen to regular podcast. New episodes drop every Wednesday at 7pm EST.
4. The Cyberwire Daily
Ransomware: DarkSide, Avaddon, and Baduk. 5G threat vectors. Cryptojacking unpatched Exchange Server. Bogus Chrome app. An espionage trial approaches sentencing. That is the heading for the latest episode of The Cyberwire Daily Podcast. Talk about a mouthful! What is great about Cyberwire’s podcast is that they are able to cover all of that info in a quick and precise manner. If you could imagine a news agency that only reports on cybercrime and cybersecurity, that’s the Cyberwire Daily. I love it, and it covers the most relevant info you need day in and day out. Located just outside of Baltimore, Maryland… Cyberwire is close to the federal scene and all of the cyber happenings in and out of the Capital Beltway. If you are a cybersecurity professional or have aspirations of a career in cybersecurity, just subscribe and listen daily!
5. The ISF Podcast
The ISF Podcast is one on the list that is for the C level execs. No, we all aren’t C level execs, but that doesn’t mean you should skip this podcast. The information is relevant and very in depth on how to approach risk management and cybersecurity concerns. The episodes range in length, anywhere from 20 mins to 40 or so minutes. The Information Security Forum has been helping organizations around the world become more cyber resilient (is that a word?), and their podcast touches on how they are doing it and how they continue to evolve. The audio is crisp and very clear, and the production is top notch. Add this to your list, you will learn a lot from the various topics they discuss.
Other CyberSecurity Podcasts?
Of course there are more podcasts, but if you aren’t following these five podcasts, you should be. If you have others to be considered, send them our way. It’s not possible to know everything, but resources like podcasts provide a window into all the conversations happening in the world of cybersecurity.
