Cybersecurity and Information Security are closely related disciplines in the realm of securing digital assets, and their terms are frequently interchanged. However, they differ significantly in terms of their scopes and objectives. Cybersecurity is safeguarding computer systems, networks, and digital data from unauthorised access, theft, or harm caused by cyberattacks. It incorporates multiple security layers, including physical, network, application, and organisational. Professionals in cyber security create and implement safeguards against malware, ransomware, phishing, and other cyber threats. This discipline is crucial in an age where cyber criminals exploit vulnerabilities in the rapidly expanding digital ecosystem.
Information Security (InfoSec), on the other hand, is a broader discipline that encompasses the protection of all forms of information, whether in digital, print, or other formats. It seeks to assure information confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CIA) by implementing suitable policies, procedures, and technologies. InfoSec specialists work to prevent unauthorised access, use, disclosure, modification, or destruction of information assets, irrespective of the medium. Cybersecurity is a subset of Information Security that concentrates on protecting digital systems and data from cyber threats. Information Security has a broader scope, encompassing the protection of all types of information. Both disciplines contribute to developing a comprehensive security framework to protect valuable information assets.
What is Cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity is the practice of keeping digital systems, networks, and data safe from cyber-attacks that could damage or steal them or get into them without permission. Its goal is to protect digital assets’ privacy, security, and availability in a world where technology is becoming increasingly essential and online threats are getting more complex.
Cybersecurity is a subject that includes several layers of protection, such as:
Physical Security
Keeping people from getting in without permission to devices and equipment like servers, routers, and data centres.
Network Security
Protecting communication routes and network infrastructure from intrusions, data leaks, and denial of service attacks.
Application Security
Putting security steps into software applications to protect them from bugs and attacks.
Endpoint Security
Securing individual devices, such as computers and mobile phones, to prevent unauthorised access or malware infections from occurring.
Data Security
Using encryption, access controls, and safe storage solutions to protect data while it is at rest and in transit.
Organisational Security
Putting policies, procedures, and training in place to create a mindset of security and reduce risks caused by people.
Cybersecurity experts use many tools, methods, and strategies to find and stop risks, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, antivirus software, and penetration testing. They also keep track of new threats and weaknesses and work together to devise ways to defend against them.
Cybersecurity is an integral part of modern society because it protects the digital assets and infrastructure that support many aspects of our daily lives, such as financial transactions, communication, and critical infrastructure.
What is Information Security?
Information security (InfoSec) is the practice of keeping the information in all its forms safe from unauthorised entry, use, disclosure, modification, or destruction. It encompasses various fields, including digital, physical, and human parts, to ensure that information assets are kept confidential, integrity, and availability (CIA).
Confidentiality makes sure that only authorised people can access information. Integrity ensures that the data remains accurate and comprehensive without any unauthorised modifications. Availability ensures that authorised users can get to the information quickly and reliably when needed.
InfoSec is the process of putting in place different policies, methods, and technologies, such as:
Access Control
Setting up rules for authorised access to information based on duties and responsibilities and ensuring they are followed.
Data Encryption
Converting information into a secure format to prevent unauthorised entry while it is being stored or transmitted.
Physical Security
Physical information assets, like paper records or storage media, need to be kept safe from theft or damage.
Personnel Security
Ensure workers and contractors follow security policies and procedures, check their backgrounds, and give them security training.
Risk Management
Identifying, assessing, and reducing possible threats and vulnerabilities to information assets.
Incident Response
Developing strategies to identify security breaches and incidents, respond to them, and recover from their effects.
Information security is a broad field that includes cybersecurity, a subset focusing on digital systems and data. InfoSec professionals use a comprehensive method to protect valuable information assets, maintain trust, and ensure they meet legal and regulatory requirements.
Difference Between Cybersecurity and Information Security
While both cyber security and information security are concerned with keeping sensitive data safe, their approaches are distinct. Cybersecurity is a subfield of information security that specifically protects computer systems, networks, and data against online threats like viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and phishing scams. However, information security is a broader field that ensures the privacy, integrity, and accessibility of any and all data stored in any medium. Information Security is more all-encompassing than cybersecurity since it considers not just digital but also physical and human factors in information protection. The differences between cyber security and information security are detailed below.
Scope
Information Security is broader in scope, comprising the protection of information in all forms, including digital, paper, and other formats. In contrast, cyber security is focused on protecting digital systems and data from cyber threats.
Threats
Information security covers a broader spectrum of dangers, including physical loss or damage, whereas cybersecurity focuses on digital attacks like malware, ransomware, and phishing.
Medium
Information security encompasses both digital and non-digital means, while cyber security focuses on digital assets and infrastructure.
Specialisation
Cybersecurity is a subset of information security that deals specifically with the online world.
Physical Security
While cyber security focuses primarily on protecting digital systems, information security also considers the physical security of data.
Human Factors
Compared to cybersecurity, which focuses on technical solutions, Information Security prioritises human-related risks, policies, and training.
Tools and Technologies
Information security experts use a wider variety of technology, such as encryption and access control, whereas cybersecurity experts use more narrowly focused solutions like firewalls and intrusion detection systems.
Organisational Approach
Information security and cyber security are commonly intertwined in modern organisations, with each discipline enhancing the other to develop a robust security infrastructure.
