A lot get the confusion between cyber security vs. information security. One reason why both terms are mostly interchanged. But, is there really a difference?
Definition: Cyber Security & Information Security
To get the difference, let us first know the definition of each.
What is Cyber Security?
If you look up to cybersecurity website on the web, you’ll find different versions of its definition. However, the core of each definition is this:
Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting a computer’s network or server from any cyber attack.
This practice involves the identification and analysis of a company’s cyber health state. Perhaps it answers the following concerns, as follows.
- What are the company’s assets?
- Where and how are these managed or stored?
- Is it exposed to any risk?
- How vulnerable are these?
In addition, according to its analysis, cybersecurity practices will then encourage protective measures to boost the overall system.
Therefore, cybersecurity practices refer to the holistic cyber health of a network or server. The ‘holistic’ state includes data in digital files, systems, and networks. Or any possible intrusion of any type of cyber attack.
What is Information Security?
On the other hand, Information Security more involves the protection and security of data. This data may include those owned by your business, or of your clients.
In addition, some principles govern Information Security. This is in line with the ISO 27000 series which is the CIA Triad. Namely, confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
In simple terms, you can describe it as protecting your file cabinet of physical important documents. Perhaps, you will lock it with keys, or you can empower advanced cabinets with passwords. This- is also part of information security.
Moreover, the same applies to information security in digital file formats. So whichever is the form of data, you protect it.
Information security also mostly concerns the privacy and confidentiality of your clients’ and third party’s data. There are information security standards and regulatory compliance developed in connection with this. For instance, the said ISO 27000 series guides companies today to be compliant with GDPR, or CCPA.
Cyber Security Vs. Information Security
So now, what’s their difference?
Cybersecurity refers to protecting the holistic cyber health of a computer network or server against any cyber-attack or harm. Most especially against any unauthorized access over the server.
Whereas Information Security concerns more on protecting the ‘information’ or ‘data’ stored. This data includes that of your business’ property or that of your customers’ and third party’s. Thus, this includes their right to be protected and secured with the information they have entrusted to you.
Interchanged- Why?
As you can see, both terms concern one common factor- data. Both cybersecurity and information security hold data as valuable.
They’re often interchanged because of the two’s fusion over the past years. So what happened is that companies have cybersecurity professionals. But do not have information security professionals.
What’s the result?
Cybersecurity takes the role of information security. However, not in the most efficient way possible. That is because cybersecurity specializes in technology, firewalls, and intrusion protection. But not with the data and everything in between its business.
Certainly, there’s a difference and they make the difference.
