Top 50 Cybersecurity Learning Resources

Curated books, courses, and platforms for ethical hackers and security professionals

Build your cybersecurity career with these handpicked resources. This collection focuses on practical books, structured courses with affiliate opportunities, and hands-on platforms that provide real-world experience.

Start with TryHackMe or OverTheWire for hands-on practice, then deepen your knowledge with foundational books. Progress to advanced topics and certifications as you build expertise.

πŸ“š Essential Books

πŸŽ“ Training Platforms & Courses

Affiliate-Friendly Platforms

Udemy
Security courses marketplace
Visit Platform β†’
Pluralsight
Technology skills platform
Visit Platform β†’
INE (eLearnSecurity)
Advanced security training
Visit Platform β†’
The Cyber Mentor (TCM Security)
Heath Adams
Visit Platform β†’
Pentester Academy
Specialized pentesting courses
Visit Platform β†’

Certification Programs

OSCP (Offensive Security)
Industry-leading pentesting cert
Learn More β†’
SANS Institute
GIAC certifications
Learn More β†’
SANS FOR610
Incident response & threat hunting
Learn More β†’

πŸ”¬ Hands-On Labs & Practice

Interactive Platforms

TryHackMe
Guided learning paths
Start Learning β†’
Hack The Box
Real-world pentesting challenges
Start Learning β†’
OverTheWire Wargames
Command-line security games
Start Learning β†’
Root Me
Hacking challenges platform
Start Learning β†’

Vulnerable Applications

OWASP Juice Shop
Modern vulnerable web app
Download β†’
DVWA
Damn Vulnerable Web App
Download β†’
PortSwigger Web Security Academy
Free web security training & labs
Start Learning β†’

CTF Competitions

Google CTF
Annual competition
Learn More β†’
CTFtime
Competition calendar & rankings
View Events β†’

πŸ“– Frameworks & Standards

Essential References

OWASP Top Ten
Critical web security risks
View Guide β†’
MITRE ATT&CK
Adversary tactics & techniques
Explore Framework β†’
MITRE CVE
Vulnerability database
Search CVEs β†’
MITRE CWE
Weakness enumeration
Browse CWEs β†’
NIST Cybersecurity Framework
Risk management framework
View Framework β†’

Additional Standards

OWASP ASVS
Application security verification
View Standard β†’
OWASP Mobile Security Testing Guide
Mobile app security
View Guide β†’
CIS Benchmarks
Security configuration standards
Access Benchmarks β†’

🌐 Community & Learning Resources

Educational Content

LiveOverflow (YouTube)
In-depth security videos
Watch β†’
NetworkChuck (YouTube)
Networking & security tutorials
Watch β†’
Black Hills Information Security
Free training & webcasts
Visit Site β†’
MIT OpenCourseWare
Free university-level courses
Browse Courses β†’

Tools & Documentation

Metasploit Unleashed
Free Metasploit course
Start Course β†’
SANS Reading Room
Security research papers
Browse Papers β†’
Secure Code Warrior
Secure coding training
Visit Platform β†’

Government & Research

CERT/CC (Carnegie Mellon)
Vulnerability coordination
Visit Site β†’
CISA / US-CERT
Security advisories & alerts
View Advisories β†’
Black Hat
Conference talks archive
Browse Talks β†’