Cybersecurity Vs Information Security: A 5-Step Easy Comparison

Introduction

From beginners to well-established professionals, many individuals mistake Cyber Security and Information Security to be the same. However, this common myth is far from the truth!

In this guide, we will bust this myth using five major points of comparison. To ensure ease of understanding, let’s first look at both these terms individually. Then, let’s understand Cybersecurity vs Information Security domains using point-by-point comparison! Let’s start!

In this article let us look at:

1. What Is Cyber Security?
2. What Is Information Security?
3. 5 Reasons Why Cyber Security & Information Security Are Not The Same

1) What Is Cyber Security?

In basic terms, Cyber Security takes care of external attacks that target an organization. The Cyber Security framework consists of protection and security measures that defend anything that can be a potential victim to online hacks, breaches or attacks.

Cybersecurity also relates exclusively to the protection of data that originates in a digital form concerning digital information, systems as well as networks.

Some common Cyber Security attacks are Denial of Service Attack (DoS), Hacking, Malware, Phishing, Spoofing, Ransomware, Spamming, and many more.

2) What Is Information Security?

Now that we have a basic idea about Cyber Security let’s quickly understand what Information Security means!

Unlike Cyber Security, Information Security is not limited to digital data only. This domain protects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of any data, also known as the CIA triad. The CIA triad of Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability is at the heart of Information Security. On a broader scale, Information Security is the practice of shielding your data, irrespective of its form. It is also widely known as infosec. Information Security is a part of Information Risk Management.

A few among many other threats to Information Security involve Software Attacks, Intellectual Property Theft, Identity Theft, Equipment or Information Theft, Sabotage, and Information Extortion.

3) 5 Reasons Why Cyber Security & Information Security Are Not The Same

Let us discuss Cybersecurity vs Information Security in 5 points!

1. While Cyber Security is an approach that defends the data from external internet threats, Information Security is all about shielding information from an unauthorized user, access. and data modification or removal to offer confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
2. Cyber Security pertains to the capability to protect the implementation of cyberspace from online attacks. Contrarily, the Information Security domain deals with securing data from any threat type.
3. Although Cyber Security extends protection to only the data in the cyber realm, Information Security defends all information regardless of the domain.
4. When it comes down to attacks, Cyber Security strikes against Cybercrimes, Cyber frauds, etc. Conversely, Information Security fights unauthorized access, disclosure modification, disruption and similar attacks.
5. Cyber Security experts and professionals deal with Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs). Conflictingly, Information Security professionals, prioritize resources first before taking care of threats.

So, the statements mentioned above explain how Cybersecurity vs Information Security actually is!

But why is there a common confusion between these terms? To tell you the truth, Cyber Security and Information Security do have multiple similarities. A large portion of the information is stored on digital platforms like a Network, Computer, Server, or Cloud. Hence, major criminals target online data to exploit its value.

Conclusion

We hope that this beginner’s guide has served the right purpose for you! Cybersecurity vs Information Security is easy to look past but is not supposed to be ignored. For a beginner, it is alright to have a few days of confusion about Cyber Security terms and concepts. However, as and when you move forward in the domain, having a strong command over basic as well as complex concepts is crucial.

The internet is a vital element of the present-day tech-driven world. Modern advancements have especially facilitated businesses to flourish like never before. However, there is a price for everything we receive. In exchange for state-of-the-art technology, companies unknowingly put their safety at risk.

Attackers and online criminals can break into a system and cause irreparable damage in a matter of minutes. So, how do we stop them? Cyber Security has now come a long way in protecting organizations from multiple online attacks. Still, there’s a long way to go until such breaches are entirely eradicated.

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