10 Best Cybersecurity Podcasts to Stream in 2026

Darknet Diaries is the best overall cybersecurity podcast to follow in 2026, offering clear, well-researched stories that explain how real attacks unfold. Its case-driven format makes complex incidents easy to follow even if you aren’t deeply technical.

A good listening mix for 2026 includes a daily briefing, a technical breakdown, a leadership perspective, and an OSINT-focused show. This balance helps you stay aware of fast-moving threats while still building long-term understanding.

Cybersecurity podcasts featured in this list were selected for their credibility, consistency, and practical value across different security roles. Choosing the ones that fit your work style turns routine listening into steady, meaningful growth.

Our Top Picks For Best Cybersecurity Podcasts In 2026

How Did We Select the Top Cybersecurity Podcasts of 2026?

Each podcast on this list was chosen using criteria including credibility of hosts, episode accuracy, depth of research, and historical reliability. Shows with consistent publishing schedules and domain-specific expertise ranked higher.

Additionally, podcasts needed to be relevant to 2026’s major cybersecurity themes, such as AI-driven threats, ransomware evolution, and secure software development. This ensures each recommendation supports real-world professional growth.

What Are the Best Cybersecurity Podcasts to Stream in 2026?

A solid 2026 listening mix starts with real-case storytelling, adds a daily news brief, then rounds out with deep technical analysis, leadership perspective, and privacy-first OSINT.

1. Darknet Diaries – Best Overall

Darknet Diaries is the best overall cybersecurity podcast to follow in 2026 because it turns real incidents into compelling, accurate narratives. Jack Rhysider guides listeners through breaches, scams, and threat actor operations with a clear timeline and reporting discipline.

Most stories stay centered on one case, so the attack path and turning points are easy to track. The technical details land in a practical way, which helps the lessons stick beyond the episode.

Case-based learning is where the show delivers its biggest payoff. One weekly listen builds stronger intuition for how compromises unfold in the real world.

Key Highlights:

• Available on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, RSS
• YouTube Sub: 400K+
• Awards: Webby Award winner (Technology Podcast)
• Milestone: One of the most downloaded cybersecurity podcasts globally

2. The CyberWire Daily – Best for Daily News

The CyberWire Daily fits naturally into a weekday routine with short episodes that keep you current. The show covers vulnerabilities, incidents, and cyber policy updates with enough context to understand impact.

The structure favors clarity and pace over long discussion. It becomes easier to triage the day’s noise because the briefing highlights what deserves deeper reading.

Security teams benefit most when consistency matters more than depth. Anyone tracking fast-moving risk will find it easy to keep up without losing time.

Key Highlights:

• Available on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, RSS
• YouTube Sub: 15K+
• Milestone: 2,000+ episodes published
• Format: Weekday cybersecurity news briefing

3. Security Now – Best for Technical Insights

Security Now works best when the goal is understanding how security issues function under the hood. Steve Gibson breaks down vulnerabilities, protocols, and patch behavior step by step so the reasoning stays intact.

Long-form episodes leave room for nuance, including edge cases and implementation trade-offs. That structure makes it easier to see what changes in practice and what a mitigation truly improves.

Developers and researchers tend to enjoy this style because the detail is deliberate and precise. It’s a strong listen for deep work sessions when you want technical clarity, not headlines.

Key Highlights:

• Available on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, TWiT Network
• YouTube Sub: 75K+
• Milestone: Running continuously since 2005
• Recognition: One of the longest-running security podcasts

4. Malicious Life – Best for Cybercrime History

Malicious Life uses cybercrime history to explain why modern threats still follow familiar patterns. Stories revisit landmark incidents and connect them to tactics that show up today across phishing, malware, and breach operations.

The narrative pacing keeps longer timelines readable without losing important context. Each episode ties motivations, methods, and consequences together so the takeaway feels relevant to current security work.

This show fits listeners who want patterns rather than isolated events. Historical context makes today’s incidents feel less random and more predictable.

Key Highlights:

• Available on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube
• YouTube Sub: 3K+
• Awards: People’s Choice Podcast Award (Technology)
• Publisher: Produced by Cybereason

5. CISO Series Podcast – Best for Security Leaders

CISO Series Podcast focuses on how cybersecurity decisions get made inside real organizations. Conversations explore governance, prioritization, budget trade-offs, and how leaders communicate risk without drowning people in technical detail.

Episodes reflect the realities of leadership, including incident readiness and program planning under constraints. The emphasis stays on decision-making and alignment rather than tools or step-by-step technical instruction.

Security managers and aspiring leaders will get the most from the perspective shared here. Practitioners also gain clarity on how security strategy gets defended at the executive level.

Key Highlights:

• Available on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, RSS
• YouTube Sub: 10K+
• Focus: Executive-level security leadership and risk
• Format: Weekly discussions with CISOs and security executives

6. Risky Business – Best for Industry Analysis

Risky Business adds commentary and interpretation to the biggest security stories so the implications are clearer than the headlines alone. Discussions often connect incidents to broader themes like policy direction, attacker incentives, and how the industry responds.

The format helps when news cycles get noisy and narratives compete for attention. You come away with a clearer view of what changed, why it matters, and what signals to watch next.

This podcast fits professionals who brief stakeholders or make decisions from imperfect information. It also keeps you fluent in industry context without drowning in daily updates.

Key Highlights

• Available on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, RSS
• YouTube Sub: 5K+
• Milestone: Active since 2007
• Style: Independent security commentary and analysis

7. The Privacy, Security & OSINT Show – Best for OSINT & Privacy

The Privacy, Security & OSINT Show is built around privacy operations and OSINT workflows that translate into real habits. Michael Bazzell covers footprint reduction, identity hardening, and reconnaissance methods with a practical, process-driven approach.

Content lands like a guided playbook rather than a general discussion. The direction stays focused on reducing exposure and improving operational safety in online life and investigative work.

Investigators and OSINT analysts get immediate value because the methods are repeatable. Privacy-minded security professionals benefit too because the routines map to everyday risk reduction.

Key Highlights:

• Available on: Apple Podcasts (archived), IntelTechniques website
• YouTube Sub: N/A
• Milestone: Ran from 2015 to 2023
• Host: Michael Bazzell, OSINT and privacy expert

8. The Social-Engineer Podcast – Best for Human Behavior

The Social-Engineer Podcast explains why manipulation works and how attackers exploit trust. Topics like phishing, pretexting, and influence tactics get explored through behavioral psychology and real-world scenarios.

The show treats human-risk as a design problem, not a blame problem. That mindset helps teams build stronger verification habits and more effective awareness programs.

Security awareness teams and red teamers will find the content directly applicable. Incident responders also benefit because the episodes sharpen instincts around socially driven compromise.

Key Highlights:

• Available on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube
• YouTube Sub: 5K+
• Milestone: 200+ episodes published
• Focus: Social engineering, psychology, and human-risk

9. Hacker Valley Studio – Best for Career Growth

Hacker Valley Studio uses interviews to explore how security professionals grow, change roles, and build leadership skills over time. Conversations focus on communication, decision-making, and the realities behind career progression in cybersecurity.

The advice stays grounded in experience rather than shortcuts. Hearing how practitioners handled setbacks and opportunities often clarifies what skills to prioritize next.

Early and mid-career professionals tend to get the biggest lift from the topics. It pairs well with technical podcasts because it strengthens the human skills security roles depend on.

Key Highlights:

• Available on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube
• YouTube Sub: 120K+
• Recognition: Webby Awards nominee
• Focus: Cybersecurity careers, leadership, and mindset

10. The Secure Developer – Best for DevSecOps

The Secure Developer focuses on building secure software through practical engineering habits and AppSec thinking. Topics commonly include secure design, vulnerability triage, CI/CD guardrails, and ways to reduce risk without slowing delivery.

The conversation stays close to real workflows, so ideas translate into pipeline checks, review habits, and safer defaults. That approach helps teams improve security in ways that fit naturally into shipping software.

DevSecOps engineers, developers, and AppSec teams will find the themes closely aligned with modern build-and-release realities. It’s especially useful when development and security need a shared language.

Key Highlights:

• Available on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube
• YouTube Sub: 100+
• Publisher: Produced by Snyk
• Focus: Secure software development and DevSecOps practices

What Makes a Cybersecurity Podcast Worth Following?

A strong cybersecurity podcast delivers clear insight, reliable information, and meaningful context that helps you stay aware of how threats and security practices evolve.

Host Expertise

Experienced hosts provide informed perspectives shaped by real work in security. Their background adds depth to every explanation and makes each episode more trustworthy.

Content Depth

Quality podcasts examine incidents in a way that reveals how attacks unfold and what they imply for future risks. Clear explanations replace surface summaries and help build lasting understanding.

Consistency

Podcasts that publish on a steady schedule become dependable sources of learning. Regular episodes make it easier to follow developments without large gaps in knowledge.

Relevance

Shows that match your role deliver insights that feel immediately useful. SOC analysts, OSINT researchers, engineers, and security leaders all benefit from content tailored to their daily responsibilities.

Practical Insight

Episodes that offer clear takeaways create lasting value. Useful guidance, new ideas, or thoughtful perspectives help listeners apply what they learn in real scenarios.

Final Thoughts

Cybersecurity podcasts give you a reliable way to stay connected to what matters in cybersecurity. Each one adds something different to your weekly routine.

A mix of storytelling, daily news, technical depth, and leadership insight keeps your understanding well-rounded. You get both immediate updates and long-term perspective.

Pick the shows that fit your role and listening style. A steady rotation will keep you sharp and aware of the threats shaping 2026.