Top Must-watch Movies on Cyber Security

The Great Hack (2019)
Directed by: Jehane Noujaim and Karim Amer
The Great Hack is a documentary film that explores the notorious Cambridge Analytica scandal and its impact on the 2016 US Presidential Election. This movie was a wakening call for the world to the urgency of implementing better cyber security systems. The movie shows how the personal information of millions of Facebook users was exploited by a data company for commercial purposes and to create highly targeted political campaigns designed to sway public opinion, all without their consent. Centering around the critical components of data privacy, social media, and political manipulation, the Great Hack highlights the vulnerability of personal data in the digital age and the dangers of unregulated data collection and sharing. The movie is a reminder for individuals to learn about privacy protection and also take cognizance of the importance of strong data protection laws and regulations. It additionally reflects the need for greater accountability and transparency from tech companies and political campaigns.

Cyber Crime (2019)
This is another excellent movie that will educate people on the intricacies and nuances of Cyber security from the lens of ten-different Cyber Security experts. Each of them discuss Incidents concerning cyber hacking and relays the enormous loss in terms of billions of dollars to cybercrime. They tell of how hackers steal this money and how numerous businesses and lives are lost to the malicious attacks of these hackers.

Snowden (2016)
Directed by: Oliver Stone
This is a biological thriller that explores the dynamics of how a former NSA Contractor-turned- Whistleblower Edward Snowden leaked classified NSA information about government programs to the press. The movie throws light on the perils of government surveillance and the cruciality of protecting personal privacy. Snowden is a terrific portrayal of how some government surveillance programs could be invasive and far-reaching, capable of collecting vast amounts of personal data from individuals without their knowledge or consent. The movie ignites the idea of how in today's world, government surveillance and data privacy have become increasingly prominent ad how it has become a growing concern.

Blackhat (2015)
Directed by: Michael Mann
Blackhat is another fascinating story that follows the life of a skilled hacker named Nick who created a code linked to a global security threat of terrorism. In his tryst to help the law enforcement agencies, he gets entangled in the conflicts between China and America. Blackhat displays the realities of cybercrime and the consequential complexities involved in cyber investigations. The movie also serves as a reminder of how critical it is to protect computer systems from attacks. It also throws light on how modern cyber-attacks are constantly becoming sophisticated and complex, involving multiple layers of encryption and malware.

The Imitation Game (2014)
Directed by: Morten Tyldum
This is a historical drama film set during World War II. The movie tells the story of how a British Mathematician also a Computer Scientist Alan Turing joins a newly formed team "Cryptography" and played a key role in cracking the German Enigma code. He and his team build a machine to decipher the codes. The Enigma machine was used by the Germans during the war to encrypt their communication. Turing's development of a machine in cracking the enigma code was a breakthrough in Cryptography. The movie highlights the significance of Cryptography in protecting sensitive information. It also elucidated the ethical implications of employing information security and cryptography for National security and raises the question of the balance between national security and individual privacy.

Ex Machina (2014)
Directed by: Alex Garland
This movie, Sci-fi thematically outlines the relationship between Artificial Intelligence and Humans. Ex Machina relays a story of a young programmer Caleb, who goes on to compete in a test where Ava an AI-female robot is the subject that Caleb has to assess. The test involves assessing whether Ava is capable of exhibiting human-like intelligence and behavior. The major key reflection of the movie is how AI systems have become increasingly advanced and it has become increasingly challenging to determine verity, accountability, and trustworthiness.

WarGames: The Dead Code (2008)
Directed by: Stuart Gillard
This movie follows the story of Will Farmer, a Hacker who stumbled upon a highly advanced computer program while engaging in an online game. The program has the potential of triggering a global nuclear war that gets activated by mistake. The movie throws light on the danger of the heavy-reliant on technology and the potential consequences of cyber attacks. The movie also highlights the significance of international support and cooperation in the face of cyber security threats and also emphasizes the need for nations to fight against cyber attacks by implementing strong cyber security measures.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
Directed by: David Fincher
This movie is based on a Swedish novel by the same name that follows a story covering multiple themes. A journalist Mikael Blomkvist, hired by a wealthy businessman to investigate the disappearance of his niece, tries to track her down with the help of a Computer Hacker Salander, with a troubled past. The hacker with impressive hacking skills helps in the investigation of the missing case. However, she is also challenged by the threats she faces from other hackers seeking to exploit her skills for their own gain. The movie reflects on the vulnerability of computer systems and personal data to cybercrime, the impact of cyber bullying and harassment, the importance of data privacy, and the risks involved in surveillance.

The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)
Directed by: Paul Greengrass
This action thriller follows the life of a former CIA assassin on the run and on a mission to fill his memory gaps. A CIA program named "Blackbriar" is designed to gather intelligence on potential threats to national security. However, the program is also used to spy on American citizens and violates their privacy rights. The movie reflects the importance of balancing privacy and security and the potential threats of surveillance power being abused. The significance of whistleblowers in revealing the abuse of surveillance power by the government is well portrayed in the movie through the character of Pamela Landy, a CIA agent who wishes to reveal the abuses of the Blackbriar program. It elicits the need for transparency in government operations.

V for Vendetta (2005)
Directed by: James McTeigue
This is a dystopian political thriller that relates to the abuse of the government's surveillance power. Set in a future authoritarian society, following a virus outbreak, a strict curfew is imposed, and where the government is portrayed as having access to every citizen's personal information and using the to maintain control and suppress dissent. "V for Vendetta" is a thought-provoking movie that reminds us of the vulnerability and potential of abuse of power of government surveillance, privacy, and the power of technology to effect change. The film reflects the importance of transparency in government operations and the need for effective cybersecurity measures to protect against abuse of power.

The Italian Job (2003)
Directed by: F. Gary Gray
A fully-star-packed thriller movie relays the story of a heist of a large amount of gold from a heavily secured safe in Venice, Italy by a team of thieves. To carry out their heist plan they use their hacking skills to gain access to the security systems and interrupt communications. The movie demonstrates the need for putting in place strong cyber security protocols and measures. The Italian job showcases how different cyber security experts can come together, collaborate, and carry out a massively challenging task. This reflects the importance of combining skills and expertise in solving complex cyber security issues and building up strong measures.

The Matrix (1999)
Directed by: Lily Wachowski, Lana Wachowski
This is a Sci-fi movie exploring the impact of technology in our society. Set in a future world where humans are enslaved by intelligent machines and live in a simulated reality known as the Matrix. Looking at it from the vantage point of cyber security, the movie showcases how human usage of technology and unchecked technological innovations such as artificial intelligence breeds a high potential of negative consequences. In The Matrix, the machines become too powerful resulting in the human race getting trapped and enslaved. The movie is an excellent portrayal of the negative impacts and the potential consequences of advanced technology and machines overpowering humans.


There it is, the top 12 movies on Cyber security that will intrigue you to watch or revisit if you have already seen them in order to explore the cyber security dynamics in the movies. It sure makes learning more fun when you can connect important concepts with real-life examples. Movies are one such factor that stays in our memory. They may ignite your knowledge if you watch them from a cyber security perspective and not only enjoy them as a movie.