What Programming Languages Are Used in Cybersecurity?

In 2023, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received a record high of nearly 900,000 cyberattack reports from both individuals and businesses. While headlines generally focus on the impact of these attacks, including their cost — about $12.5 billion in 2023, according to the FBI — the security experts responsible for combating them often delve into the tactics of cybercriminals, reverse engineering their threats and fortifying defenses by analyzing the programming languages and techniques the cybercriminals used.

In simple terms, programming languages are tools that allow people to communicate with computer systems and issue instructions. Hackers can weaponize programming languages to launch attacks, and security professionals can wield them to bolster cyber defense. As the scale and sophistication of cyber threats continue to grow, having a firm grasp on programming languages and their security applications is increasingly important, allowing cybersecurity specialists to stay one step ahead of their digital adversaries.

Understanding which programming languages are used in cybersecurity and what they’re used for is crucial for those who want to serve on the front line of cyber defense. Pursuing an advanced education, such as a Master of Science (MS) in Information Security Management, can help security professionals hone their programming expertise.

How Are Programming Languages Used In Cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity encompasses several domains, such as network security, security operations, penetration testing, malware analysis and incident response. Programming languages support these domains in various ways.

Penetration Testing: Ethical hackers engaged in penetration testing can use programming languages to craft custom exploits designed to address specific vulnerabilities. They can also use code to more easily adjust their tactics during a test, responding quickly to changes in the system or network they’re evaluating.
Network Security: Security professionals can use code to develop advanced algorithms capable of detecting complex threats within network traffic as well as behavioral analysis tools that can identify anomalies that may indicate a security incident.
Security Operations: Programming languages facilitate more in-depth threat analysis, beyond what traditional automated tools can provide. Analysts can also leverage coding skills to more effectively sift through data logs and uncover warning signs that may signal a breach.
Incident Response: Using code, cybersecurity professionals can develop custom forensic analysis solutions, allowing them to conduct comprehensive investigations into security incidents and extract meaningful insights from the evidence.

For many organizations, using programming languages as part of their overall security strategy is an integral aspect of information security.

5 Programming Languages Used in Cybersecurity

Coders may use dozens, if not hundreds, of programming languages throughout their careers. For cybersecurity specialists, the kind of programming languages they use depend largely on their organizations’ security needs and the type of assets they’re trying to protect.

Below are some of the more common programming languages used in cybersecurity.

1. Python

Security professionals can use Python, considered one of the most versatile programming languages, for various purposes, including software development, network programming and data analytics. Beyond its versatility, Python is popular in cybersecurity for its ease of use, ability to integrate with other technologies and automation capabilities. Python powers many of the cybersecurity tools on the market today, supporting several security functions, including penetration testing, malware analysis and incident response.

2. SQL

Structured Query Language (SQL) is primarily used to build and maintain databases. Hackers use SQL code to infiltrate databases and steal sensitive information, often throughSQL injections, attacks that involve adding malicious code to database queries. Understanding SQL allows cybersecurity professionals to mitigate such attacks by implementing identity and access management measures to protect databases from unauthorized intrusion.

3. HTML

Although HTML is technically a markup language, not a programming language, it plays an important role in cybersecurity. As the foundational language used to build websites, HTML is often exploited by cybercriminals to launch attacks on webpages. To effectively detect, analyze and defend against these threats, security professionals should possess at least a baseline understanding of HTML.

4. JavaScript

JavaScript is among the most commonly used programming languages, with more than 63 percent of coders reporting that they use it, according to a survey by Stack Exchange. While HTML is used to build websites, JavaScript adds functionality by enabling plug-ins and tracking user activity. Just as with HTML, cybersecurity analysts who are versed in JavaScript are more capable of defending against web-based application attacks.

5. C / C++

One of the oldest programming languages, C is also among the most popular and versatile programming languages used by cybersecurity professionals. Often prized for their speed, C and C++, which is an extension of C but with greater capabilities, are typically used to maintain and defend computer systems and networks. Security professionals with an understanding of these codes can analyze and defend low-level systems, detect vulnerabilities and develop custom security tools more effectively.

Why Is It Important for Cybersecurity Professionals to Understand Programming Languages?

Although coding expertise isn’t always a prerequisite for security professionals, many roles demand some level of programming language proficiency. Cybersecurity roles that typically require programming knowledge include the following:

Cybersecurity engineer
Security software developer
Ethical hacker / penetration tester
Malware analyst
Cryptographer

In most cases, employers hiring for these and similar roles prefer candidates with proven coding experience. Those with a deep understanding of programming languages are better equipped to analyze and anticipate cybercriminals’ tactics, supporting stronger cyber defense. Coding also facilitates greater automation, customization and overall efficiency.

Being well versed in programming languages can help cybersecurity job seekers stand out in a competitive labor market. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), information security analyst is one of the fastest-growing occupations in the country, with employment projected to grow by 33 percent over the next decade. This will lead to more than 59,000 new jobs in this sector.

Strengthen Your Cyber Defense Skills

As cyber threats grow in scale, frequency and complexity, the need for skilled security professionals capable of countering them is increasingly urgent. While cybersecurity involves a broad range of tools and techniques, programming knowledge is a powerful asset that can enhance a security professional’s ability to detect, respond to and prevent attacks.

If you’re interested in gaining a deeper understanding of how programming languages are used in cybersecurity, consider the MS in Information Security Management at Augusta University Online. The program’s technical track focuses on hands-on skill development, delving into advanced concepts, such as malware analysis, automation and the use of Python in cybersecurity. With a focused curriculum that emphasizes career readiness, we can help you develop the cutting-edge skills to serve on the front line of cyber defense.

Discover the value of an AU Online education today.

Sources:
FBI, FBI Releases Internet Crime Report
Nexus Software Systems, C++ for Cybersecurity : How Is It Used? What Are the Benefits?
RSI Security, The Top Programming Languages for Cyber Security
SoftTeco, “Python for Cybersecurity: How to Protect Your Business From Threats”
Stack Overflow, 2023 Developer Survey
StationX, “Top 10 Programming Languages for Cyber Security in 2025”
TechTarget, “5 Essential Programming Languages for Cybersecurity Pros”
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Information Security Analysts