Even among security experts, the terms “cybersecurity” and “information security” are frequently used interchangeably.
Although the two terms are similar, they are not identical. It’s crucial for any company that is investing in a robust security framework to comprehend each phrase, what it implies, and the difference between the two. What are they, how are they related, and how are they different? Cybersecurity and information security are often used interchangeably, although there are important differences between the two.
Cybersecurity
“The ability to prevent or defend the usage of cyberspace from cyber-attacks” is how the National Institute of Standards and Technology defines cybersecurity. There are several different definitions out there, but most of them are very similar.
The term “cybersecurity” refers to both internal and external threats to a company. Everything that can be hacked, attacked, or invaded, such as computers and other devices; networks; servers; and applications; is protected and secured by this architecture.
Unlike information security, cybersecurity only protects data that begins in digital form, which is why it is distinct from the latter. If you’re talking about cybersecurity, you’re talking about the protection of electronic data and networks.
Information Security
A lot of people associate information security with computers and digital information, but there are many more ways to store useful and relevant data.
It is important to secure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of all data, regardless of its form. When it comes to information security, a filing cabinet full of essential documents might be just as important as your company’s database.
The technique of safeguarding your data in any format is what we mean when we talk about information security.
Information security is defined by NIST in the following manner:
preventing illegal access, use, disclosure, disruption, alteration, or destruction of data and information systems to:
- Integrity involves preventing unauthorized access to, or alteration of, data. It also means guaranteeing that data cannot be reversed.
- Personal privacy and proprietary information must be protected by means of authorized limitations on access and disclosure.
- Availability, which implies providing prompt and reliable access to and use of information, must also be maintained.
What is the relationship between cybersecurity and information security?
Although there is considerable overlap between cybersecurity and information security, the two terms are often used interchangeably.
Most data are housed in digital form on a network, computer, or server. Criminals can profit from this information.
For both types of security, the data value is the most important consideration. The confidentiality, integrity, and accessibility of data are the most important considerations in information security. The primary goal of cybersecurity is to prevent unauthorized electronic access to data. Understanding which data is most dangerous if accessed without authorization can help the organization develop an appropriate security framework with measures in place to keep it safe from unauthorized access.
Information security and cybersecurity teams may collaborate to design a data protection framework, with the information security team prioritizing the data to be safeguarded and the cybersecurity team developing a methodology for data protection.
What is the difference between information security and cybersecurity?
The goal of cybersecurity is to keep electronic data from being hacked and compromised. Protecting servers, endpoints, databases, and networks is now the responsibility of cybersecurity professionals, who look for and fix security flaws and misconfigurations that lead to security vulnerabilities. It’s also important to know what the crucial data is and where it is, as well as how much danger it has and how to protect it.
Cybersecurity examples include:
Here are a few instances of how cybersecurity can be used:
- Unauthorized access, misuse, interference, or disruption of service are all prevented through the practice of network security.
- To protect data or code within an application from being stolen, a procedure known as application security is used.
- Policies, rules, procedures, and technologies that work together to safeguard cloud-based infrastructures and systems are known as cloud security.
- Virus scanners, intrusion prevention systems, anti-malware software, and other foundational security tools comprise critical infrastructure.
Information security, on the other hand, is concerned with protecting data in whatever form, everywhere it may travel, including cyberspace. There may be a wider picture in which the internet or the endpoint device is merely a small piece of the whole. The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of all data are the primary concerns of information security experts.
Information security examples include:
Cybersecurity is a component of information security; however, it also includes the following:
- Controls that protect physical assets, like computers, data centres, and even filing cabinets, are referred to as procedural controls. Some examples of these are security awareness education and frameworks, compliance training, and incident response strategies.
- Authentication controls: These controls determine who can access and utilize company data and the firm’s network. As a result, these controls restrict both physical and virtual entry to building entrances, as well as privileged access permissions.
- Multi-factor user authentication, firewalls, and antivirus software are just a few examples of the technical measures in place to keep things secure.
- Controls that deal with privacy laws and cybersecurity regulations are the focus of compliance controls. Their information security regulations are enforced, and they need a risk assessment.
How may Security Scorecard assist you?
Today’s businesses are more technologically and digitally adept than ever before. Businesses must have the necessary security structure and procedures in place to protect their most valuable assets because of these improvements in interconnectivity.
With our easy-to-understand security ratings, Security Scorecard can help you keep track of 10 categories of risk factors affecting your cybersecurity and information security. As a result, we keep a close eye on every aspect of your security system.
Information security and cybersecurity are monitored by us, which means that we keep a close check on both your data as well as the security measures you’ve put in place to secure it. We also keep an eye out for any hacker conversation about your firm on the dark web. When your score slips, you’ll know something’s wrong, and our platform will offer remediation options to help you fix the problem before there’s a breach.
It’s possible that cybersecurity and information security aren’t synonymous, but that doesn’t mean they’re any less critical to your business. The goal of both cybersecurity and information security is to protect your data. The scope and common objective of protecting your business must be understood by both cybersecurity and information security staff.
Outlook
In today’s world, when cyberthreats are lurking every second, organizations must maintain a safe environment by combining information security and cybersecurity. There has been a 28 percent increase in the demand for cybersecurity and information security specialists, according to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics. Information security analysts, information security officers, cryptographers, and penetration testers are just a few of the career titles available to anyone with an interest in the field.
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