Information security and cyber security are two sides of the same coin but are not interchangeable. As technology continues to evolve, it is becoming increasingly important to recognize the difference between Information Security and Cyber Security, especially for those in a position of power.
Whether you’re a CEO, an IT manager, or a student interested in learning more about information technology, understanding the distinction between information security and cyber security is critical.
What Is Information Security?
Information security protects information and information systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. This includes measures to protect both physical and electronic communication. Information security is a holistic approach covering all aspects of information protection, including data security, network security, and computer systems and devices. It also includes disaster recovery, risk management, and business continuity planning.
What Is Cyber Security?
Conversely, cybersecurity is a subset of information security that focuses explicitly on protecting internet-connected systems, including hardware, software, and data, against cyber threats such as hacking, malware, and cyber-attacks.
Cybersecurity protects digital information and assets from unauthorized access, theft, and damage. This includes firewalls, encryption, and multi-factor authentication to prevent unauthorized access to systems and data.
The Difference Between Information Security and Cyber Security
At their core, information and cyber security are concerned with protecting data from harm; however, they differ in their focus areas. Information security primarily concerns confidential records and preventing unauthorized access to sensitive data. In contrast, cyber security focuses on preventing malicious actors from infiltrating networks or taking control of systems remotely. Both are necessary components of any comprehensive IT strategy.
The distinction between information security and cyber security is essential because it helps organizations and individuals focus their efforts and resources on the areas where they are most vulnerable.
For example, while information security and cyber security are concerned with protecting data, information security also covers physical security measures such as access controls to computer rooms and document storage facilities.
The difference between the two, organizations and individuals can better allocate resources and implement the proper measures to protect their information and data.
Difference in Education
There are distinct differences in the education requirements for information security and cyber security. Generally speaking, information security requires more technical expertise than cyber security. Both involve protecting data and networks and the methods used to protect data from unauthorized access or destruction.
Cyber security focuses on developing strategies to protect networks and systems from malicious actors such as hackers and malware. As a result, cyber security professionals may be required to understand computer programming languages and network protocols in addition to knowledge of data protection methods and regulations.
Information security and cyber security are necessary components of any comprehensive IT strategy. While they have some similarities, they differ in their focus areas and the education requirements needed to become proficient in each field.
The distinction between the two, organizations and individuals can better allocate resources and develop strategies to protect data and information systems from unauthorized access or destruction.
Communicating the difference
Communicating the difference between information security and cyber security to upper management can be done by focusing on the advantages of having both in place.
Information security measures are critical for protecting confidential records and sensitive data from unauthorized access or destruction. This includes physical security measures such as access control to computer rooms, document storage facilities, and data protection methods and regulations.
Cyber security is essential for protecting networks and systems from malicious actors such as hackers and malware. Cyber security professionals must understand computer programming languages, network protocols, data protection methods, and regulations to develop effective strategies to protect against cyber threats.
Organizations and individuals can better protect their data and networks from unauthorized access or destruction by having information security and cyber security measures in place. Communicating the importance of both security measures to upper management is essential for ensuring adequate resources are allocated to these critical areas.
Summary
In conclusion, all IT professionals should understand the distinct difference between information security and cyber security to ensure their organizations remain secure online. While both disciplines are concerned with shielding data from harm, they each have different approaches to mitigating risk—which means that companies need to employ both techniques to protect themselves from potential threats posed by malicious actors.
Understanding this distinction can go a long way toward helping CEOs make informed decisions about how best to manage their organization’s IT infrastructure in the future.
Read and learn more about cybersecurity here.
FAQ:
Which is better, IT or cyber security?
The choice between IT and cybersecurity depends on your interests and skills. If you enjoy working with technology and want to focus on managing and processing information, IT may be the better choice. Suppose you are interested in protecting computer systems and data from cyber-attacks and want to work in a field with a high demand for skilled professionals. In that case, cybersecurity may be the better choice.
What is the difference between information security and cybersecurity?
Information security refers to the protection of any information, whether it is digital, physical, or intellectual, from unauthorized access and use. Cybersecurity, on the other hand, deals specifically with the protection of information in cyberspace, such as networks, devices, and data stored in the cloud. Cybersecurity is a subset of information security, but the two fields are not identical.
Are information security and cybersecurity the same thing?
No, information security and cybersecurity are not the same thing. While there is certainly an overlap between the two, cybersecurity is a type of information security that focuses specifically on protecting information in cyberspace.
What are some examples of information security?
Examples of information security include physical security measures, such as locked doors and file cabinets, as well as digital security measures, such as firewalls, antivirus software, and encryption. Information security also encompasses policies and procedures for handling sensitive information, such as data classification and access control.
What are some examples of cybersecurity?
Examples of cybersecurity include network security, which involves protecting computer networks from unauthorized access and attacks; application security, which involves securing software applications from vulnerabilities and exploits; and cloud security, which involves protecting data stored in the cloud from unauthorized access and data breaches.
Why is it important to differentiate between information security and cybersecurity?
It is important to differentiate between information security and cybersecurity because they have different focuses and require different skill sets. Understanding the differences between the two can help organizations develop more effective security strategies and allocate resources more efficiently.
Is one field more important than the other?
Both information security and cybersecurity are important for protecting sensitive information and preventing data breaches. However, the relative importance of each field may depend on the specific needs and risks of an organization. For example, a company that stores sensitive customer data in the cloud may place more emphasis on cybersecurity, while a company that handles physical documents may place more emphasis on physical security measures.
is information security a subset of cybersecurity
No, information security is not a subset of cybersecurity. While the two terms are often used interchangeably, cybersecurity deals specifically with protecting computer systems and networks from digital threats, while information security encompasses a broader scope including the protection of all forms of information, regardless of the medium.
Lars Birkeland
Hi I'm Lars Birkelad. As a dedicated Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) with nearly three decades of experience in IT and information security, I bring a wealth of knowledge to the forefront of cybersecurity. I am committed to sharing my expertise and insights to empower individuals and organizations navigating cybersecurity. If you are interested, join my community, Level Up Cyber Community. In the community, I help medium-sized companies without their own dedicated staff to manage cyber risks.