Cybersecurity Vs. Information Security
Even among those in the security field, the terms “cybersecurity” and “information security” are used interchangeably.
However, the two terms are not synonymous. Each of them addresses different kinds of security, and every organization investing in a proper security framework must understand each term, what it means, and how the two differ. So, in this blog, you will understand what cybersecurity is, what information security is, how they overlap, and what the differences are between cybersecurity and information security.
What is cybersecurity?
Nowadays, we depend a lot on computer systems and the internet. In fact, we keep our entire world on systems or the internet. For entertainment, we use social media; for storing data, we use the cloud; for traveling, we use navigation applications; for shopping, we use online shopping sites. Even medicines are being ordered online. In this process, we give a lot of our personal data to many sites or store a lot of personal data on the internet. Protecting this data is very important because many cybercriminals can access and use it. And the art of protecting that data is called cybersecurity.
Let me also mention the risks associated with a poor cybersecurity system.
- Malware deletes your entire system’s data.
- An attacker can exploit your system and alter your important files.
- Attackers can seal your system and demand a ransom.
- Cybercriminals can steal your credit card or bank details to make an unauthorized purchase.
It is important to have robust cybersecurity knowledge and a strong cybersecurity team in your organization to prevent all these risks.
What is information security?
A simple definition of information security is preventing unauthorized access during the storage or transmission of data. Biometric information, social media profiles, and data on mobile phones can be considered information. Therefore, research for information security covers various fields, such as cryptocurrency and online forensics.
Information security covers three objectives, and they are:
Confidentiality: Confidentiality protects information against unauthorized use or disclosure by guaranteeing that only those who are authorized to access it may do so. Privacy is a closely related notion that is typically connected with personal data.
Integrity: Integrity refers to the ability to ensure that a system and its data cannot be tampered with by unauthorized parties. In addition to data, integrity protects the operating system, applications, and hardware from unauthorized alteration.
Availability: Availability is the protection of support system functioning and the assurance that data is completely available at the moment when its users require it. The goal of availability is to guarantee that data is available to be used for making decisions.
Where do information security and cybersecurity overlap?
Fairly speaking, there are some overlaps between cybersecurity and information security, and this causes some justified confusion.
Almost all information is stored in digital form on a network, computer, or server. Criminals can exploit this data to enrich themselves.
The value of the data is the most important consideration for both forms of security. The major focus in information security is ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data. The primary concern in cybersecurity is preventing unwanted electronic access to data. In both cases, it is critical to assess what data, if viewed without authorization, is most destructive to the company so that a security framework with appropriate controls in place can be built to prevent unauthorized access.
Specialized resources exist in different teams. Both teams will probably collaborate to construct a data protection framework. The information security team prioritizes the data to be safeguarded, and the cybersecurity team establishes the data protection protocol.
What is the distinction between cybersecurity and information security?
| Cybersecurity | Information security |
| Basically, it’s about the ability to keep your computer safe from cyber attacks. | It is concerned with the security of data from any sort of risk. |
| It is the process of securing the data on the internet from outside attacks. | It is all about safeguarding information from unauthorized access, alteration, or deletion in order to maintain confidentiality, integrity, and availability. |
| Cybersecurity usually protects everything that relates to the cyber realm. | Information security is used to protect everything without considering any realms. |
| Cybersecurity strikes against cyber frauds, cybercrimes, and law enforcement. | Information security aims to prevent unauthorized access, disclosures, modifications, or disruptions. |
| Cybersecurity is concerned with the dangers of cyberspace. | Information security refers to the protection of data from any kind of threat. |
| Serves as the first line of defense. | Prepares a plan for recovering from a breach. |
Final words
Information security includes cyber security as a subset. The technique of securing systems, networks, and programs from digital threats is known as cyber security.
Information security refers to the procedures and techniques that are planned and executed to secure confidential, private, and sensitive information or data in print, electronic, or any other form against unauthorised access, use, abuse, disclosure, destruction, alteration, or disruption. Information security seeks to safeguard all data, whereas cyber security seeks to safeguard just digital data.
Cybersecurity and information security are both critical features of technology in the twenty-first century. As a result, every professional aspiring to greatness in the field of data security should be well-versed in these two concepts. Check out InfosecTrain for Cybersecurity and information security courses to learn more and get a better grasp.
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