At its core, the internet is about information. Cybersecurity is information security, so many people use the two terms to mean the same thing. But there is a difference. Understanding information security vs cybersecurity is key to building organizational resilience. That means understanding how both concepts work together to keep you safe online.
Information security means protecting information and information systems. Cybersecurity means protecting physical infrastructure like computers and servers, and protecting the information they store and transmit.
Tools like Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) can help with both information security and cybersecurity. Let’s take a closer look at the differences between these concepts.
Information Security versus Cybersecurity: What’s The Difference?
Information security means protecting data from being seen by the wrong people. Although the term is most often used when talking about online data, information security also extends to protecting any information. That includes letters, handwritten notes, forms, and other physical media.
In other words, a lock on your mailbox is a form of information security, just as your online banking app password is.
Cybersecurity relates specifically to online security. Professionals working in this field are tasked with protecting the physical infrastructure that keeps organizations running, including computers and servers. They also protect the information stored and transmitted on those machines. This means there is significant overlap between this field and the information security field.
Cybersecurity specialists guard against malware attacks, data fishing, data breaches, DDOS attacks, and other online threats, whether malicious or accidental. Their job is to protect both physical and digital infrastructure used to collect and transmit sensitive data online.
Key Concepts
Both information security and cybersecurity operate according to what is called the CIA triad. This is a framework for protecting information, with the following principles:
- Confidentiality. This means keeping data private, whether it’s data for an individual or an organization. Information is classified according to how strict its access restrictions need to be. Data encryption and multifactor authentication can be part of this process.
- Integrity. This means that users can trust the information they see not to have been tampered with. Human error, attacks, and outside sources such as ransomware attacks can damage data integrity. Digital signatures and security certificates are some methods used to ensure data integrity.
- Availability. This means authorized users can reliably access the information they need. After all, having data security so tight that no one can access the information is no good. This requires keeping hardware and software systems up-to-date and maintaining recovery systems to ensure the data stays safe and accessible.
Scope and Focus Areas
There is substantial overlap between information security and cybersecurity. However, each area has its scope.
Information Security Scope
Information security, or InfoSec, is an umbrella term that covers protecting all data. Although it is most commonly used for online data, information security applies to any information, whether on physical or digital media or even spoken aloud.
Cybersecurity Scope
Cybersecurity is a subset of InfoSec that is specifically concerned with online data. It means protecting not only data online but also the infrastructure that stores that data.
Think of InfoSec as a castle that holds and protects all the information in the world. Cybersecurity would be the castle guards tasked with protecting a specific castle area.
Objectives and Strategies
Information Security Objectives
Protect all forms of data from unauthorized access. This can mean anything from online passwords to covering a screen to prevent anyone from seeing what’s on it. Or putting a letter inside an envelope to make sure it can’t be read.
Implement policies for handling, storing, and accessing data. Large organizations that manage a lot of data hire information security specialists to protect it.
Risk management and compliance with data protection laws.
Cybersecurity Objectives
Defend networks from cyber attacks.
Respond to online threats in real time.
Monitor networks and systems for potential breaches and vulnerabilities.
Tools
Both fields share many security tools to keep data safe:
Encryption tools conceal data both at rest in databases and in transit via emails and messages.
Data Loss Prevention Systems prevent sensitive data from leaving an organization via emails, apps, or USB drives.
Access control and identity management tools like passwords and authentication help to make sure only authorized users can access data.
VPNs encrypt data and provide anonymity as a defense against online attacks. As part of both InfoSec and cybersecurity, they protect online data from being revealed.
Information Security and Cybersecurity for Your Organization
While cybersecurity is part of information security, understanding the difference allows smarter security planning and a safer digital ecosystem. Different legal standards apply to these two areas. Knowing the difference can help you find the best specialists to help you strengthen your security systems.
Both fields are crucial to organizational resilience. Improving your information security and cybersecurity helps keep everyone safe online and offline.
