Listen in: Best Cybersecurity Podcasts for 2026

Key takeaways

• Some of the top cybersecurity podcasts include Darknet Diaries, CyberWire Daily, Malicious Life, Smashing Security, and Risky Business, each rated 4.6 or higher on Apple Podcasts.

• To choose the best cybersecurity podcasts to listen to, consider the topics and styles that you enjoy and check out ratings and reviews to see what others think about the content.

• The leading cybersecurity podcasts span various genres, including topical, professional Q&A, humor, and news, commentary, and headlines.

Whether you’re looking for a cybersecurity podcast for beginners or something with more technical content, you can find options to help you learn more about best practices and stay updated on trends. Read on to learn more about five of the top cybersecurity podcasts, genres of cybersecurity podcasts, and tips for choosing the best ones.

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5 of the top cybersecurity podcasts to try

You can enjoy many related podcasts if you’re a cybersecurity professional or interested in cybersecurity trends. 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.

If you’re interested in and want to learn about cybersecurity, these five podcasts could be good options for you. Explore podcasts based on their rankings, ratings, and reviews on Apple Podcasts from US audiences.

1. Darknet Diaries

Rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars from 8.1K ratings

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

2. CyberWire Daily

Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars from 1K 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. Based in Baltimore, Maryland, CyberWire Daily’s location places it just miles away from major cybersecurity companies.

3. Malicious Life

Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars from 931 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 now.

4. Smashing Security

Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars from 316 ratings

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

5. Risky Business

Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars from 394 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 computer security 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, commentary, and headlines

Many podcast options offer breaking news and general cybersecurity discussions. Hacker News TLDR and Security Weekly 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, keep up with current trends, and forecast 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 two highly rated cybersecurity podcasts that take a more comical and lighthearted approach while remaining informative.

What are the best cybersecurity podcasts? Tips for choosing your next listen

With so many options, choosing the right cybersecurity podcast may require a little research. Fortunately, you can browse many different cybersecurity podcast topics, styles, and focuses. 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 Podchaser, Podcast Review, and Podrover, collate reviews from listeners and rankings from podcast platforms. Podcast apps also provide ratings, rankings, and reviews, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, PlayerFM, and PodBeam.

Host

Another great way to see if a podcast interests you is to research the host. Hosts have varying styles and backgrounds. Research podcast hosts to find ones who are knowledgeable and interested in 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 help you decide the best ones for you.

Duration

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

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 can always access the latest episode, whether you’re listening in your office or car.

Read more: 7 Cybersecurity Trends to Know

What will cybersecurity look like in five years?

According to the World Economic Forum’s report, Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026, artificial intelligence is reshaping cybersecurity. It introduces new risks, attack surfaces, and vulnerabilities. At the same time, it empowers cybercriminals to carry out attacks faster and with greater precision, even as the technology introduces new ways to strengthen cyber defenses and capabilities through more robust detection and faster incident response times [1]. Additional trends to watch out for include:

• Passkeys will increasingly replace passwords.

• Cybersecurity instruction could begin in elementary school.

• Payment encryption standards will evolve to guard against threats in a post-quantum market.

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