No Starch Press Foundations of Cybersecurity, 2nd Edition: A Straightforward Introduction

This comprehensive introduction to the information security field covers the industry's essential concepts, using real-world security breaches to illustrate key lessons. Cybersecurity is critical to protecting data, systems, and people. Whether you're new to the field, an IT professional strengthening your skills, or a manager shaping security policy, Foundations of Cybersecurity provides the knowledge and practice you need. Building on the first edition (Foundations of Information Security), this updated guide covers the essentials: authentication, authorization, and auditing; cryptography; security architecture; threat assessment; network and OS hardening; application and IoT security; incident response; compliance; and the human factors attackers exploit. You'll learn how to: Apply the core principles of security across systems and networks Defend against emerging threats like AI-driven attacks and IoT vulnerabilities Manage incident response and governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) Strengthen defenses against social engineering and insider threats Explore career paths and skills for a future in cybersecurity What's New in This Edition Includes a new chapter on AI security, expanded coverage of security operations and governance, and practical "Down the Rabbit Hole" labs in every chapter to help you practice real-world skills. Whether you're new to the field, strengthening your skills, or guiding a team, this book will help you build a solid foundation for protecting systems, data, and people.