Cybersecurity vs. Information Security: What’s the Difference?
The phrases information security and cyber security are sometimes used interchangeably. That’s because they all pertain to the same concept: the availability, confidentiality, and integrity of information.
However, there is a significant distinction between them that has an impact on how your organisation runs. In this article, we define information security and cyber security, contrast them, and discuss how they relate to your data protection procedures.
What exactly is data security?
Any organisation relies on information at its core, whether it is company records, personal information, or intellectual property.
It may be maintained in a variety of locations and accessible in a variety of ways. The most common ways to obtain data are through paper records or your office computer, but it may also be accessed in many other areas.
Data may be stored, for instance, on portable drives, laptops, servers, personal devices, and physical documents.
Information security is the process of keeping everything secure, which is necessary.
Organizations are specifically safeguarding the availability, confidentiality, and integrity of information.
In this context, confidentiality means that information is only seen by authorized individuals, integrity means that information is correct, and availability means that information is available when it is needed.
Information security may be divided into two subcategories. Organizations are required to safeguard their physical assets, including their buildings and any other locations where sensitive data may be physically kept.
Information protection is the focus of the second subcategory of information security. Cybersecurity is this.
Information security examples
Any procedure or piece of technology used to safeguard the privacy, accuracy, and accessibility of information is referred to as information security.
This may consist of:
Access controls, staff awareness training, data protection impact assessments, key cards to enter the workplace, anti-malware technology, information security policies, access controls, locks for cabinets housing sensitive information, and more.
Describe cyber security.
Information security in particular, or “cyber security,” is concerned with safeguarding electronic data.
It focuses on the safeguards put in place to stop unauthorised access to a company’s networks and computer systems.
Since network or system intrusions are the most common source of data breaches, the word is frequently used to apply to information security in general.
Cyber assaults, such as virus incursion or phishing scams, are far more likely to compromise information since they can be carried out online.
As a result, there is more information to target as organisations often retain considerably more data online than in physical form. Technical flaws are also more readily exploitable and considerably less likely to be discovered.
Therefore, even if cyber security is only one aspect of information security, it is the most crucial.
A few cyber security examples
Any technique or tool used to safeguard electronic data falls under the umbrella of cyber security. This may consist of;
Secure code review, multi-factor authentication, passwords, VPNs, spam filters, and anti-malware software are some examples of data encryption technologies.
Where do information security and cyber security intersect?
Although we differentiate between information security and cyber security in this blog, there will be a lot of overlap in actual practise.
To begin with, information security may be defined as any cyber security measure intended to safeguard sensitive data.
For instance, password-protecting a database safeguards the data it contains while also thwarting online attacks.
There are additional dangers that call for attention to both physical and cyber security. Consider malevolent insiders as an example. Organizations must put in place physical measures to stop unauthorised employees from entering restricted areas of the facility.
Files could be left on the desk at a senior employee’s office or the records room in question.
However, the company must also take into account the cyber security dangers that come with this threat. Any digital records must be adequately safeguarded, such as with data encryption or access controls.
Digital data stored on physical devices, such USB drives or laptops, are another area where information security and cyber security interact.
To reduce the possibility of the gadget being misused, organisations must have policies and procedures in place. This may occur, for instance, if a worker uses a portable device for both personal and work purposes or if they leave their laptop unattended in a public place.
Cyber security tools should be used in conjunction with these procedures to safeguard the data stored on those devices. Businesses may use technology that enables them to remotely delete a misplaced laptop or encrypt important data.
These are but a few illustrations. There are innumerable situations where information security and cyber security must be taken into account when evaluating data protection threats.
Become an authority in information security.
Our information security and cyber security staff awareness e-learning course can help you learn more about the threats your organisation confronts and the precautions you can take to keep secure.
The best method to inform your staff about dangers to data privacy is through this online training course.
The NSC (National Cyber Security Centre) of the UK has validated the material, which lowers the risk of data breaches by promoting good information security and cyber security behaviours.
Participants in the course will gain knowledge about particular risks they encounter, including as malware and phishing, as well as the methods that people may take to counter them.
