Top 11 Cybersecurity Podcasts We're Listening To

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0000

We are lucky enough to be living through the golden age of podcasts. Whatever subject you’re into, you can bet there’s someone out there talking into a microphone about it, and cybersecurity is no exception. In fact, when it comes to security, IT, and digital trends, there are so many choices, it can be tough to know where to start.

Luckily, we did the work for you, and we’ve come up with a list of podcasts that has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a deep dive into new tech, a juicy data breach story, or just a laugh, you’ll find something on this list worth checking out.

And while reading blog articles from your favorite cybersecurity companies (ahem) will always be a good way to stay in the know, sometimes it’s nice to give your eyes a break and listen to the news.

So buckle in, grab some headphones, and have fun discovering what might be your new favorite podcast!

1. Cyber by Motherboard: General Interest, High Production Value

Hosted By: Matthew Gault

Website: https://www.vice.com/en/topic/cyber

Twitter: https://twitter.com/motherboard

Episode Frequency: Once to twice per week

Average Episode Length: 35 to 60 minutes

Vice’s Motherboard has a reputation for unearthing off-the-beaten-path tech stories, and their podcast is no different. Host Matthew Gault and fellow Motherboard reporters lay out complex tech and cybersecurity stories and contextualize them in digestible segments.

Whether it’s shedding light on how flawed background checks for companies like Airbnb are or providing insight on how the latest Uber hack occurred, you walk away equally knowledgeable and skeptical of your own online habits.

2. Smashing Security: Hot Takes, Real Lulz

Hosted By: Graham Cluley and Carole Theriault

Website: https://www.smashingsecurity.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SmashinSecurity

Episode Frequency: Every Wednesday

Average Episode Length: 40 to 60 minutes

Cybersecurity podcasts aren’t particularly well-known for being funny. However, hosts Graham Cluley and Carole Theriault say: away with your preconceived notions! They deliver weekly ribbings to the world of computer security by covering hacking, cybercrime, online privacy, and everything in between. Come for the latest cyber news stories and stay for the expert commentary wrapped in friendly banter.

3. Risky Business: Gateway To The World of Cybersecurity

Hosted By: Patrick Gray and Adam Boileau

Website: https://risky.biz/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/riskydotbiz

Episode Frequency: Every Wednesday

Average Episode Length: 50 to 60 minutes

Patrick Gray and Adam Bioleau have been covering cybersecurity since 2007, and use their years of experience to discuss the latest news with authority and strong opinions. From their staunch stance against push-based 2FA to their belief in corporate responsibility regarding hacks, Risky Business’ weekly download of news stories provides the ideal inbetween for security newcomers to even the most seasoned security professionals.

In addition, this podcast comes with the Kolide seal of approval. CEO Jason Meller says: “I like Risky Business because Patrick Gray (the host) is a journalist that understands the stories at a deep level and often has unique insights versus other coverage, which is just repeating basic facts.”

4. Darknet Diaries: The “Serial” of Cybersecurity

Hosted By: Jack Rhysider

Website: https://darknetdiaries.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DarknetDiaries

Episode Frequency: 1 to 2 a month

Average Episode Length: 40 to 70 minutes

“Scams going on out there today are getting…wild.” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. Host Jack Rhysider understands that the internet is as wide as it is deep and its underbelly doesn’t get talked about enough. Darknet Diaries’ mission is to uncover and explain these little-covered stories of cybercrime, but what DD does best is how it packages the information. The podcast does an incredible job in setting a noirishambiance with a synthesizer-heavy score to turn dry stories into compelling narratives.

Kolide Rails engineer Caitlin Cabrera, finds value in uncovering these stories, saying: “these concepts of preventing outside intrusion and mitigating threats relate directly to our (Kolide’s) mission of Honest Security. Specifically these stories show how when employees and customers trust security products and feel valued, it can reduce intrusion.”

5. Mac Power Users: An Apple A Week Keeps The OS Updated

Hosted By: David Sparks and Stephen Hackett

Website: https://www.relay.fm/mpu

Twitter: https://twitter.com/macpowerusers

Episode Frequency: Every Sunday

Average Episode Length: 90 to 120 minutes

Apple fans: look no further. Mac Power Users is a no-frills podcast that features the macro to the micro on all things Apple. Since 2009, hosts David parks and Stephen Hackett have been one of the biggest authorities discussing Apple – devices, updates, best practices – all while sprinkling in helpful anecdotes on how Apple has evolved over the years.

Whether you’re looking for a history lesson on the evolution of Apple Maps, or to understand the intricacies of data storage across Apple’s fleet of devices, or simply what to expect in the next iOS/OS update, Mac Power Users is your one-stop-shop for all your Apple needs.

6. BarCode: Glass Half-Full of Cybersecurity

Hosted By: Chris Glanden and Tony (virtual bartender)

Website: https://thebarcodepodcast.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarCodeSecurity

Episode Frequency: Twice a month

Average Episode Length: 45 to 60 minutes

Ever go to a happy hour with your favorite professor when you were in college? If you were fortunate (or unfortunate) enough to experience this, you likely soaked up some wisdom along with the alcohol. That’s what BarCode does so well.

The podcast’s format is simple enough: get a well-rounded security professional (host Chris Glanden), a subject matter expert in something cybersecurity-related, and have them comb through a topic through unfettered, bar-banter-level conversations. Pull up a chair, grab your favorite drink (with the help of Tony, the virtual bartender who shares a unique cocktail recipe at the beginning of every episode), and enjoy some entertaining conversation along with a tasty beverage.

7. WIRED Security: News For Those In A Hurry

Hosted By: Various narrators

Website: https://www.wired.com/about/wired-podcasts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WIRED

Episode Frequency: Monday through Friday

Average Episode Length: 5 to 10 minutes

So many cybersecurity stories, so little time. The WIRED Security podcast is perfect for the busy professional looking for a quick rundown of the day’s news. Clocking in at less time than it takes to unload the dishwasher, episodes feature (admittedly dry) narrated versions of WIRED’s most noteworthy security stories from the week. If you’re on-the-go, prefer audio to writing, or want to accomplish the lofty goal of “multi-tasking,” this podcast provides the latest on cybersecurity, hacking, and privacy in bite-sized portions.

8. Linux Action News: Open-Source Facts and Insights

Hosted By: Chris Fischer and Wes Payne

Website: https://linuxactionnews.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/linuxactionnews

Episode Frequency: Every Thursday

Average Episode Length: 20 minutes

Open-source software is for everyone and so is this podcast (especially for you Android users!). Listeners can expect host Chris Fischer to provide the facts of Linux’s latest news while host Wes Payne adds context and analysis (or vice versa, everybody pulls their weight) while discussing the landscape of open-source software as a whole. The hosts’ seamless back and forth allows the news to flow quickly, making it extremely digestible.

9. Microsoft Security Insights: The Windows Stay Shut

Hosted By: Edward Walton, Frank Grimberg, Rod Trent, and Brodie Cassell

Website: https://microsoftsecurityinsights.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Frank_Grimberg

Episode Frequency: Every Monday

Average Episode Length: 60 to 80 minutes

Remember briskly walking to the water cooler on Monday morning to discuss the latest episode of Game of Thrones with your work buddies? Mix that camaraderie with the latest news in the world of Microsoft security and you end up with The Microsoft Security Insights podcast. Filled with news, analysis, tips, and (most importantly) well-timed banter - security professionals who use Microsoft products can consider this a go-to podcast.

10. Hacking Humans: Learn The Why

Hosted By: Dave Bittner and Joe Carrigan

Website: https://thecyberwire.com/podcasts/hacking-humans

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HackingHumansCW

Episode Frequency: Twice a week (Once a week for [Word Notes])

Average Episode Length: 40 to 50 minutes (5 to 7 minutes for [Word Notes])

Cyber crime is about psychology as much as technology, and Hacking Humans sets out to shed light on why we fall for the scams we do. Hosts Dave Bittner and Joe Carrigan present stories from across the web along with listener submissions that dig into how sophisticated these dubious campaigns have become. What sets Hacking Humans apart from the crowd aside from their social engineering angle is their series within their feed titled [Word Notes] - concise episodes explaining new cyber security terms as they occur with real world examples.

11. CyberWire Daily: Security’s Six O'Clock News

Hosted By: Dave Bittner

Website: https://thecyberwire.com/podcasts/daily-podcast

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecyberwire

Episode Frequency: Every weekday

Average Episode Length: 20 to 30 minutes

Through host Dave Bittner’s Walter-Kronkite-like-delivery, you will find yourself immersed in the state of cybersecurity with daily breakdowns of the biggest news stories and interviews with a wide-ranging rolodex of experts. Bittner’s pace during the news portion of the podcast is steady, but swift; the interview portion slows down and focuses on fluid conversations. Although Cyberwire produces many podcasts in the realm of cybersecurity, CyberWire Daily is the flagship podcast of the network for a reason - its format and host just work.

Disclaimer: The following podcasts - Smashing Security and Linux Action News - are/have been sponsored by Kolide

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