Cyber Security v.s. Information Security

Posted by mctracy On February 27, 2023

Cyber Security and Information Security may sound similar to each other, yet there are a few key differences that make them distinct.

“In fact, cybersecurity is a subset of information security. However, the fields are not quite the same, with each featuring distinct specialties and requiring different skill sets.” (Forbes).

Cyber security focuses on IT security.

“Most companies rely on computers for a variety of critical business functions, such as hosting applications, storing sensitive data, and communications. Cybersecurity focuses on protecting these IT assets against external and internal cyberattacks. This includes a wide range of security operations, including cloud security, network security, and application security (AppSec).” (Check Point).

Meanwhile, information security focuses on the security of personal information.

“To some degree, nearly everyone wants their personal information to be secure, meaning it can only be accessed and used by authorized individuals. This is the goal of information security (infosec). According to the NIST, infosec involves the protection of information and information systems against unauthorized use. The field aims to provide availability, integrity and confidentiality.” (Forbes).

One main difference between information security and cyber security is that information security includes non-digital assets.

“One of the ways in which cybersecurity and information security overlap is that they both address threats to digital systems. For example, both a cybersecurity and information security strategy may include controls designed to protect against ransomware, which is a threat to data stored digitally. However, while cybersecurity only covers digital systems and the threats to them, information security also includes non-digital forms of data storage. For example, printed files may be covered under an organization’s information security strategy but not its cybersecurity strategy.” (Check Point).

A helpful tip to differentiate the two kinds of securities in your mind would be to remember that cyber security means cyber-attacks and information security involves and kind of personal info.

“An information security expert may develop the means of data access by authorized individuals or establish security measures to keep information safe. Cybersecurity, on the other hand, focuses on protecting information from cyberattacks such as ransomware and spyware.” (Forbes).

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