The 10 Best Cybersecurity Movies and TV Series About Hackers

The portrayal of hacking in movies and TV shows can be thrilling and educational. From speculative fiction to more realistic depictions of cybercrime, these films and series not only entertain but also provide valuable insights into cyber security. Here’s a roundup of the 10 best cybersecurity movies and TV series about hackers that every CISO, IT manager, and security awareness trainer should watch.

5 Best Must-Watch Hackers and Cybersecurity Movies

Sneakers (1992)

"Sneakers" stands out as a classic cybersecurity movie that blends suspense with comedy. It follows a team of security experts who are blackmailed into stealing a powerful decryption device capable of breaking any code. This movie dives deep into themes like encryption, surveillance, and the ethical dilemmas faced by cybersecurity professionals.

What can you learn about cybersecurity from this movie? Encryption is key—without it, sensitive data is vulnerable. The film also highlights how hackers and security experts must constantly be on guard against ever-evolving threats, and it shows that good security isn’t just about technology but also involves understanding human nature.

How to prepare: Implement strong encryption protocols and stay ahead of decryption threats. Regularly train your team on the importance of securing data at rest and in transit. Additionally, ensure that you’re addressing not just technical vulnerabilities but also social engineering risks, a recurring theme in many cyber threats.

Hackers (1995)

Although highly stylized and somewhat exaggerated, "Hackers" has become a cult classic for its fun and early portrayal of internet culture. It focuses on a group of young hackers who inadvertently uncover a corporate corruption conspiracy. While the hacking scenes are visually dramatized, the film shines a light on how curiosity and tech skills can lead to both positive and negative outcomes.

The lesson here is about the power of technology and how young, talented individuals can either protect or exploit systems. It also highlights the growing concerns of the early internet age, where security practices were still in their infancy.

How to prepare: Emphasize ethical hacking in your organization. Encourage employees and IT teams to approach problems creatively but with a focus on integrity. Regularly train staff in both defensive and offensive cybersecurity techniques so they can think like hackers to better defend against them.

WarGames (1983)

"WarGames" is one of the earliest movies to tackle the concept of hacking with real-world consequences. The film follows a high school student who inadvertently hacks into a military supercomputer, almost triggering a global catastrophe. This is an important watch for understanding how unsecured systems can lead to devastating unintended consequences.

The takeaway from this movie is the critical need for responsible technology use and how even innocent mistakes can lead to serious cyber incidents. It highlights the dangers of poor access control and the importance of securing critical infrastructure.

How to prepare: Perform regular penetration testing on critical systems, ensuring that unauthorized access is strictly controlled. Implement multi-factor authentication and conduct incident response drills to handle potential breaches, ensuring that even accidental hacks can be swiftly mitigated.

Blackhat (2015)

"Blackhat" brings a more modern and realistic portrayal of hacking to the big screen. The story follows a convicted hacker recruited by the government to stop a global cybercriminal network. The film dives into nation-state cybercrime, financial system vulnerabilities, and how cyberattacks can have far-reaching consequences in the physical world.

This movie shows how cyberattacks on infrastructure—from banks to power grids—are no longer just fiction. It’s a stark reminder that cybersecurity is now intertwined with national security and economic stability.

How to prepare: Strengthen defenses around critical infrastructure in your organization, especially if you're in a sector like finance or energy. Regularly train teams to detect and respond to advanced persistent threats (APTs), which are increasingly used in nation-state attacks.

The Fifth Estate (2013)

Centered around the rise of WikiLeaks, "The Fifth Estate" delves into the ethical questions surrounding transparency, whistleblowing, and data leaks. This movie offers insight into the grey area of hacking, where leaking sensitive information can blur the line between ethics and security.

The film illustrates the importance of data protection and the potential consequences of internal leaks. While it touches on ethical dilemmas, it’s a crucial reminder that organizations must secure their information not just from external threats but also from internal ones.

How to prepare: Implement robust insider threat detection programs and ensure your employees understand the importance of data classification and controlled access to sensitive information. Establish strong policies around data leaks and ensure that employees know the legal ramifications of whistleblowing through inappropriate channels.

5 Best Must-Watch Hackers and Cybersecurity TV Series

Mr. Robot (2015-2019)

"Mr. Robot" is widely praised for its accurate portrayal of hacking and cybersecurity challenges. The series follows Elliot, a cybersecurity engineer with a troubled personal life who becomes involved with an underground hacking group aiming to dismantle major corporations. The show provides a highly technical look at social engineering, DDoS attacks, and the vulnerabilities within corporate networks.

What makes this series a must-watch is its realism—many of the hacks shown are based on real techniques used by cybercriminals. It also dives into the mental toll that cybersecurity work can take, offering a unique perspective on how personal struggles intersect with professional responsibilities.

How to prepare: Train your team on the importance of mental health in cybersecurity roles. Ensure that clear resources are available for employees dealing with stress or burnout, as this can affect decision-making and overall security vigilance. Conduct realistic social engineering simulations to boost team preparedness.

Black Mirror (2011-2019)

Though not solely focused on cybersecurity, "Black Mirror" is an anthology series that explores the dark side of technology, frequently touching on privacy breaches, identity theft, and the ethical implications of new technologies. Each episode is a speculative look at how unchecked technological advancements could lead to catastrophic outcomes.

While it’s speculative fiction, "Black Mirror" makes us question the consequences of current tech innovations, including AI, surveillance, and automation. It’s a great watch for those interested in the social implications of technology and how cybersecurity fits into those scenarios.

How to prepare: Encourage your teams to think critically about emerging technologies and their potential vulnerabilities. Incorporate discussions about AI ethics and privacy into your training programs, especially as these technologies become more integrated into everyday business operations.

CSI: Cyber (2015-2016)

A spin-off of the popular CSI franchise, "CSI: Cyber" focuses on the FBI’s Cyber Crime Division as they tackle cyber-related criminal activity. From data breaches to cyberbullying, the show covers a broad range of cyber issues, giving a somewhat dramatized look at the world of cybercrime.

While it’s not the most realistic portrayal of cybersecurity work, it highlights the need for cooperation between law enforcement and cybersecurity experts in fighting cybercrime.

How to prepare: Ensure your cybersecurity team is well-versed in both technical and legal aspects of cybercrime. Work closely with your legal and compliance departments to ensure that your organization’s incident response is aligned with current regulations and law enforcement best practices.

Silicon Valley (2014-2019)

"Silicon Valley" is a comedic but insightful take on the tech startup world. The series follows a group of developers navigating the complexities of running a company in Silicon Valley. While the show focuses more on the tech industry as a whole, it does touch on issues like data security, intellectual property, and the challenges of running a tech company while maintaining security standards.

The show reveals how startups often overlook security in their rush to innovate, making it a great watch for anyone working in or with tech companies.

How to prepare: For startups and tech businesses, security should be a priority from day one. Ensure that security protocols grow alongside the company and that data protection policies are in place early to avoid vulnerabilities.

Person of Interest (2011-2016)

"Person of Interest" is a thought-provoking series about a supercomputer that uses surveillance data to predict crimes before they happen. It explores themes of mass surveillance, data privacy, and the ethical use of technology in preventing crime.

The show underscores the tension between privacy and security in a world where data can be used to monitor and control people.

How to prepare: Ensure your organization is compliant with data privacy regulations like GDPR. Regularly audit your surveillance and data collection practices, and educate employees about the importance of balancing privacy with security in the digital age.

From realistic depictions of hacking to speculative futures where technology governs society, these movies and TV shows offer valuable lessons for cybersecurity professionals. They explore everything from data breaches to nation-state attacks, helping us think critically about the evolving landscape of digital security.

Protect Your Business from Hacks using Keepnet Human Risk Management Platform

As the movies and TV series we've explored demonstrate, even the most secure systems can be compromised if people are the weakest link. Whether it's social engineering, phishing attacks, or insider threats, human error is a major factor in successful cyber breaches. That’s where Keepnet’s Human Risk Management Platform comes in.

The Keepnet Human Risk Management Platform offers a comprehensive suite of tools designed to train and prepare your employees to recognize and respond to a wide range of cyber threats, thus reducing human risk. Here’s how our platform can protect your business:

• Phishing Simulator: Regularly test your employees with real-world phishing scenarios. With our Phishing Simulator, you can track performance and improve their ability to detect phishing attacks. Train them to spot phishing emails before they compromise your business.
• Vishing Simulator: Phone-based social engineering, also known as vishing, is on the rise. Our Vishing Simulator helps employees recognize fraudulent phone calls and prevent attacks that can lead to data breaches, especially in sectors handling sensitive information like finance and healthcare.
• Quishing Simulator: As the threat of QR code phishing (quishing) grows, it's essential to train your employees to be cautious of suspicious QR codes. The Quishing Simulator prepares your staff to identify fraudulent QR codes, preventing malicious actors from using this increasingly popular technique to breach systems.
• SMS Phishing (Smishing) Simulator: With the rise of smishing, cybercriminals are increasingly targeting users through SMS messages. Our Smishing Simulator empowers your employees to detect fraudulent text messages, helping to protect your organization from mobile-based phishing attacks.
• Awareness Educator: Build a culture of security with our Security Awareness Training tool, offering engaging training modules that keep your staff up to date with the latest cybersecurity trends and best practices. Employees will learn how to avoid common traps such as social engineering attacks and data breaches.
• Incident Responder: In the event of a cyber incident, the Incident Responder helps you act fast. It automates incident response and allows your security team to contain threats before they escalate 48 times faster than any tools on the market.
• Threat Intelligence: With the Threat Intelligence solution, your business will stay ahead of compromised accounts. By identifying compromised accounts early, your organization can adopt preventive measures to secure your systems.
• Threat Sharing: Collaborate with other organizations and share intelligence on the latest threats through the Threat Sharing platform. By sharing data and insights, you can better protect your organization from evolving cyber threats.

Train your users, minimize human error, and safeguard your business. Leveraging our Human Risk Management Platform can reduce cybersecurity incidents caused by human factors by up to 92%.

Sign up for a free trial today and start building a more resilient cybersecurity defense from within.

Further Reading

• Learn more about QR code phishing trends and how attackers are leveraging them.
• Delve into the Petya ransomware attack and its lessons for businesses.
• Stay ahead by reading about the future of spear phishing and how to protect against these attacks.
• Prepare your business with a cybersecurity awareness solution that trains employees to recognize modern threats.
• Explore 30 phishing email examples to identify and avoid common attacks.
• Investigate the importance of human error in successful cybersecurity breaches.
• Strengthen your defenses with insights into MFA phishing simulations to bolster your digital security posture.
• What is security awareness training?: Discover the importance of educating your employees on identifying and responding to cyber threats and why security awareness is crucial for every organization.
• What is a phishing simulator?: Learn how phishing simulators can test and improve your team’s ability to recognize phishing attacks with real-life simulations that prepare them for real-world threats.
• What is a vishing simulator?: Understand how voice phishing (vishing) attacks work and how vishing simulators can train your employees to recognize fraudulent calls and respond correctly.
• What is a smishing simulator?: Explore how smishing (SMS phishing) simulations can prepare your team to identify and avoid phishing attacks delivered via text messages.