Information Security & Cybersecurity are regularly confused to be the same, but, they are not. They are linked so strictly that people mistake them to be synonyms & utilize the terms interchangeably.
Though they have several areas that overlap, they are much different from one another.
In this article, we will talk about Cybersecurity & information security & how they are similar or different from one another. So, without wasting time, let’s get started!
Is there really a difference between information security and cyber security? Although these two terms are frequently used interchangeably, there are quite a few differences.
Some people like to exchange the two terms, while others — that recognize the differences — like to keep it particular.
One of the major reasons for these two terms to be used interchangeably is that both cybersecurity and information security are associated with the security & safe keeping of a computer system against data loss and information breaches.
In spite of this, cybersecurity and information security aren’t totally identical, in theory.
Unlike Cybersecurity, Information Security is not restricted to digital data only. This domain protects the privacy, integrity, & availability of any data, also recognized as the CIA triad.
On a huge scale, Information Security is the practice of shielding your data, irrespective of its form. It is also extensively known as infusing. Information Security is a component of Information Risk Management.
A few among several other threats to Information Security involve Software Attacks, Identity Theft, Intellectual Property Theft, Equipment or Information Theft, Sabotage, & Information Extortion.
The value of the data is the major concern for both types of safety. In information security, the main concern is protecting the privacy, integrity, and accessibility of the data.
In cybersecurity, the main concern is protecting against unlawful electronic access to the data.
In both conditions, it is significant to know what data, if accessed without authorization, is most harmful to the group, so a safety framework can be established with good controls in place to prevent illegal access.
Table of Contents
Cybersecurity vs. Information Security: important differences
1. Definition
Cybersecurity refers to the practice of shielding data, its associated technologies, & storage sources from threats.
On the other hand, information security means defending information against illegal access that could result in undesired data modification or elimination.
Basically, cybersecurity is regarding the cyber dominion & data associated with it. Information security, on the contrary, primarily focuses on data. It ensures privacy, integrity, & availability.
2. Domain
Cybersecurity means to protect something and the whole thing that is available in the cyber realm, such as data, information, or devices & technologies related to the aforementioned.
Information security, on the other hand, deals with defending both forms of information — digital & analog — in spite of the realm.
Protecting social media profiles & private data across the cyber realm is connected with cybersecurity. Information security, defiantly, deals specifically with information assets, accessibility, & integrity privacy.
3. Process
While cybersecurity mainly deals with protecting the use of cyberspace & preventing cyberattacks, information security simply defends information from any form of threat & averts such a threatening scenario.
4. Professionals
Professionals are concerned with information security from the foundation of data security. These professionals prioritize resources before dealing with intimidation. Cybersecurity experts deal exclusively with advanced constant threats.
5. Protection
Cybersecurity deals with all threats lurking in cyberspace. Information security, on the contrary, deals with all types of danger against information only.
Cybersecurity deals particularly with cybercrimes, cyber frauds, & law enforcement. Confession modification & disruption, and illegal access are the two most significant issues undertaken by information security.
The progress of Information Security and Cybersecurity
Unluckily, with the changing security landscape over the earlier decade, things aren’t constantly this black & white.
In the past few years, we have seen a mixed fusion between cyber security and information security, as these previously silent conditions have been seen together.
The confrontation is, that most teams don’t have information security experts on staff so the responsibilities of a cybersecurity expert have expanded severely.
Cybersecurity experts usually understand the technology, firewalls, & intrusion protection systems required but weren’t necessarily brought up in the data assessment business.
How has Information Security Control been considered an excellent option in fraud prevention?
Fraud Prevention is one of the major challenges to organizations across the globe. What are the sophisticated measures that can be explored to ensure Fraud Prevention in a more effective manner?
What role can Information Security play to improve the Fraud Prevention mechanisms in your business?
Usually, the “Information Security” term is related to Cyber Security and is used interchangeably. Approach from organizations, vendors, & industry professionals gave an outlook that Information Security is all about technology-associated Cyber Security controls only.
Delivering direct business value from information security assets seldom comes up as a priority or conversation point.
At best, it becomes an academic analysis of the strategic alignment of Information Security with business. But still, practical efficiency or implementation methods were found lacking.
Nevertheless, like several other areas, Fraud Prevention is one of the significant business challenges that Information Security controls can include value.
Information Security & Fraud Prevention
Information Security group has failed to show or communicate effective mechanisms in stopping organizational losses from breaches other than cyber attacks.
Finding an Information Security professional with sufficient technical background and business insight is the most significant challenge the business encounter.
Experts with a governance or audit background come with a risk management background. Though exceptions are noted, most professionals come with academic knowledge of technology & don’t recognize the real technological challenges.
At the same time, the other side of the spectrum is the technical professionals who come from an IT background but without an open mind or some exposure to business challenges & prospects.
The right Information Security leader, with scientific proficiency & business acumen, shall be capable to link Information Security controls with industry challenges.
This alignment is by ensuring control sufficiency and efficiency, but wherever possible by linking to business needs & aspirations.
Fraud prevention is one of the direct selling points to revealing the value of Information Security to a non-technical consultation, including the board members.
Information Security risks and investments to defend from cyber attacks are very crucial, particularly considering the current wave of hacking incidents & data breaches.
But, the importance of Information Security is much more than Cybersecurity control.
If we notice, a good percentage of frauds have a number of connections with ineffective Information Security controls. It might be due to weakness in people, or processor technology controls, related to valuable business data.
Information Security Affected by Mobile Devices
There have lately been suggestions that the culture of accessing corporation information through personal mobile & tablet devices is becoming the main threat to businesses’ information security.
The security corporation that has made these suggestions also supposed that businesses are not worried about data security as much as they should, which means they are open to a possible security risk, mainly if significant information is leaked.
In the last few months, there have been reports of safety breaches for high-profile data, so these companies have faced huge fines from the ICO as a result of their negligence.
According to the security report from the IT security business, more companies are worried about hitting their sales targets in its place of making sure their data is safe and avoiding unnecessary fines.
Senior managers have been instructed to complete risk assessments & find out why workers are accessing private data, in turn, this will assist them to cut potential risks.
It is significant for them to work intimately with their IT department to make sure their data is secure.
There are more and more people now working mobile from the house or on the go from meeting to meeting, so the use of mobile devices is growing.
With the advances in equipment, it is handy to access information and complete everyday work tasks on mobile devices. But, these mobile devices are the ideal targets for hackers who are looking to get access to confidential information.
With the use of mobile devices, it is clear that the industry more than ever needs to make sure they have information security in place to ensure their private data is protected and the business is not at risk of a vast fine.
