Best Books To Learn Network Security: 10 Alternatives for Beginners

Learn Network SecurityLearn Cyber Security…

Look, you don’t need to be a network security engineer to protect your home WIFI when the best book to learn network security will teach you the basics of how to protect yourself from intruders.

What is Network Security?

Network security is the process of protecting networks from unauthorized access. This can be done by implementing security measures in protocols, operating systems, network devices, and applications.

How to get started with network security?

The good news is network security books are a great way to learn how to protect your network. A good network security book will teach you about how to protect your data with protocols, encrypt your information with SSL or AES-256 bit encryption, secure your information with passwords or digital certificates, or implement firewalls against intrusions.

Ideas to get you started:

  • Security basics of wired and wireless networks
  • Different forms of computer security threats
  • The importance of addressing threats early on
  • How to protect your data and information from hackers and other cyber-criminals

The goal is to make your network more secure and slows down or stop unauthorized access.

There are plenty of network security books that focus on theoretical techniques, or that teach you how to use tools like Snort and Kali Linux. These are great for learning the “how” of network security, but if you want to get the “why”, you still need to read books or get cyber security training.

I feel that “Network Security For Dummies” is a great book for a beginner in the field of network security. It may not be a one-stop-shop for all of your network security needs, but if you have the basics down and want to know more about how to stay ahead of the curve, this book is a great resource.

An open book is a mind open to ideas – these network security books are great for anyone in the IT field.

Best Books To Learn Network Security

#1 Best Choice
Metasploit, 2nd Edition
  • Kennedy, David (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 288 Pages - 01/28/2025 (Publication Date) - No Starch Press (Publisher)
#2 Best Choice
CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+ & CySA+ Exam Prep (4-in-1): The Most Complete and Powerful Guide [VIDEO & AUDIO +LABS + FULL-LENGHT TESTS + CAREER & RESUME GUIDE + 24 WEEKLY DRILLS & EXAM SIMULATOR]]
  • Solutions, SmartStudy (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 581 Pages - 04/30/2025 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
#3 Best Choice
CompTIA Security+ Certification Kit: Exam SY0-701 (Sybex Study Guide)
  • Chapple, Mike (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 1008 Pages - 01/11/2024 (Publication Date) - Sybex (Publisher)
#4 Best Choice
The Practice of Network Security Monitoring: Understanding Incident Detection and Response
  • Used Book in Good Condition
  • Bejtlich, Richard (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 376 Pages - 07/15/2013 (Publication Date) - No Starch Press (Publisher)
#5 Best Choice
CompTIA Network+ Certification Kit: Exam N10-009
  • Lammle, Todd (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 05/07/2024 (Publication Date) - Sybex (Publisher)
#6 Best Choice
Network Security: Private Communication in a Public World (Prentice Hall Series in Computer Networking and Distributed Systems)
  • Hardcover Book
  • Kaufman, Charlie (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 544 Pages - 09/26/2022 (Publication Date) - Addison-Wesley Professional (Publisher)
#7 Best Choice
Cybersecurity All-in-One For Dummies
  • Steinberg, Joseph (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 720 Pages - 02/07/2023 (Publication Date) - For Dummies (Publisher)
#8 Best Choice
Network Security Assessment: Know Your Network
  • McNab, Chris (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 491 Pages - 01/17/2017 (Publication Date) - O'Reilly Media (Publisher)
#9 Best Choice
Cybersecurity for Small Networks: A Guide for the Reasonably Paranoid
  • Enoka, Seth (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 224 Pages - 12/06/2022 (Publication Date) - No Starch Press (Publisher)
#10 Best Choice
Linux Basics for Hackers: Getting Started with Networking, Scripting, and Security in Kali
  • OccupyTheWeb (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 248 Pages - 12/04/2018 (Publication Date) - No Starch Press (Publisher)

 

In conclusion, the books listed above will get you started if you want to learn cyber security, and cover everything from basic network security to advanced penetration testing techniques. They are a great resource for network security professionals.

Read other related guides about books:

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