Learn Hacking & Technical Security in French (2026)
7 French-language books to learn hacking, pentesting, forensics and technical security — offensive to defensive. Honest reviews.
In short: to learn offensive security in French, the big manual is Sécurité informatique — Ethical Hacking (ACISSI); build your lab with Hacking — un labo virtuel (Ebel) and tool up in Python with Hacking et Forensic. On defence and threats: Sécurité et espionnage informatique (Pernet) for APTs, Les virus informatiques (Filiol) for virology.
The picks at a glance
| Book | Author | Level | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sécurité informatique — Ethical Hacking | ACISSI | Intermediate | The big French offensive manual |
| Hacking — un labo virtuel | Ebel & Hennecart | Intermediate | Build your lab and audit vulnerabilities |
| Hacking et Forensic | Ebel & Hennecart | Intermediate | Build your own tools in Python |
| Sécurité et espionnage informatique | Cédric Pernet | Advanced | APTs and cyber-espionage, defence side |
| Les virus informatiques | Éric Filiol | Advanced | Computer virology: theory and practice |
| Sécurité informatique — Principes et méthodes | Bloch & Wolfhugel | Advanced | The principles for admins and architects |
| Tableaux de bord de la sécurité réseau | Llorens, Levier & Valois | Advanced | Measure and steer network security |
Where to start
Offensive beginner: Ethical Hacking (ACISSI) + Hacking — un labo virtuel (Ebel). To build tools: Hacking et Forensic in Python. For defence: Sécurité et espionnage informatique (Pernet, APT) and Tableaux de bord de la sécurité réseau. For principles: Sécurité informatique — Principes et méthodes (Bloch).
Other French-language cybersecurity guides
Frequently asked questions
- What's the best French book to learn ethical hacking?
- The ACISSI collective's Sécurité informatique – Ethical Hacking is the comprehensive French offensive manual; pair it with Ebel & Hennecart's Hacking – un labo virtuel to build a safe practice lab.
- Can I learn pentesting in French, or do I need English?
- You can start in French with these titles, but the most advanced and current tradecraft (PortSwigger Academy, modern C2, write-ups) is in English. Use the French books for the foundations.
- Which French book covers APTs and threat detection?
- Cédric Pernet's Sécurité et espionnage informatique is the French reference on APTs and cyber-espionage, from a defender's standpoint.