There has always been a debate on cybersecurity vs information security as which is which when it comes to understanding the risks around business data and IT related activities. What does each mean?

Technology is the driving force in the modern world. Businesses heavily rely on technological evolution and advances in their day-to-day operations. Digital solutions have become part and parcel of business management. However, the adoption of technology is accompanied by different threats.

This calls for businesses to have proper Cybersecurity and information security systems. Recent IBM article established that 96% of business managers plan to accelerate digital transformation within an average period of 5.3 years.

They anticipate a decrease in operation cost by 70%, a decreasing inventory cost by 50% and a rise in revenue by 20%. But, we cannot address what we do not understand. While Cybersecurity and information security deal with computer systems protection, there is a clear distinction in meaning.

The difference between when it comes to cybersecurity vs information security should be established, so we avoid using them interchangeably. In a layman’s language, one deals with data protection in Cyberspace while the other focuses on general data security.

This article aims to give you a deeper understanding of the meaning of the two terms and clearly highlight the difference between them. This knowledge will help you correctly use these two concepts to establish a more vital and sensitive data security system.

Cybersecurity Vs Information Security: Where Is The Distinction And How Is Each Important?

Let’s review each term.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is a subset of information security. It refers to the practice of your organization’s cloud, networks, computers, and data from unauthorized digital access, attacks, or damage by implementing diverse defense processes, technologies and practices.

Digital space is overwhelmed by many threats targeting all types of organizations. Your IT system must be highly secured at all times against all kinds of attacks that lead to data loss or reputation damage.

Social Engineering

When cyber threats actors attack you, they research both your organization and your employees. They spot the most vulnerable employees who have little idea about cyber threats. Cyber threat actors utilize social engineering to manipulate people into granting them access to sensitive information.

We have highlighted some of the current social engineering attacks that your IT department should be privy to.

Phishing/Vishing/Smishing

These are some of the leading threats to Cybersecurity currently. The actors use channels like email, phone, or SMS chats to collect data on essential credentials that will enable them to compromise your work or blackmail your organization. They may collect data on your security passwords, usernames and credit card details, amongst others.

MitM (Man-in-middle) Phish Kits.

Phishing helps with the initiation of cybercrimes. Phish kits constitute all tools a cybercriminal needs to commit cybercrime. There has been the development of sophisticated reverse proxy phish kits capable of bypassing both 2-factor authentication(2FA) and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). This attack is much more advanced and very complex to tackle.

Pretexting

This refers to the impersonation of an authority figure in the organization that the target individual would easily trust and adhere to do something contrary to their regular operations.

Baiting

This is where the threat actor places a malware-infected device, for instance, a USB or CD, in a place where the target would easily pick and use it on their computers. Hence accidentally install the malware, which will grant the criminal access to your computer systems.

Quid pro quo.

It is when a threat asks for access to sensitive information in exchange for a reward, such as money, complimentary gift, or service.

Information Security

Information security (also called InfoSec) ensures that your physical and digital data is protected from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, recording, or destruction.

Information security is different from Cybersecurity because it aims at preserving all kinds of information, as opposed to the latter, which focuses only on digital data protection. Information security should be the foundation of your organization’s security program development.

Governance Framework.

A governance structure is critical in the information security program development process. It ensures that the security strategies you are about to adopt align with the objectives and targets of the company.

Furthermore, it closes the gap between the business and information security and ensures efficient operation among all teams. Some currently available frameworks include NIST, BISMM, ISO/IEC 27001 2013, and CIS, amongst others.

CIA Triad

This is the guide that InfoSec experts use when developing policies and procedures for effective information security. Below are some of the components of this guide.

Confidentiality; ensures the information is only accessible to the authorized persons. It is mainly enforced through IAM/zero, MFA, and data encryption, amongst others.

Integrity; Protects the information from any modification by unauthorized individuals. Ensures accuracy and trustworthiness of data.

Availability; Ensures only authorized persons access data at the right time. It also ensures proper maintenance and update of both hardware and software.

CIA Triad has become an essential starting point for most businesses that wish to ensure data security and protection.

Cloud and Network Security

Cloud and Network Security are two fundamental features that will ensure the safety of your data. They employ different measures such as encryption to deny unauthorized people access.

Network Security involves network protection through firewalls to ensure that all information channeled through the network is encrypted and blocked from unauthorized traffic access.

Cloud security prevents your data from being accessed and modified by an unauthorized person. It uses firewalls to encrypt all the data stored in the cloud.

While both Cloud and Network Security help you secure your data from unauthorized access, they have their merits and shortcomings. This calls for proper examination and consideration of all factors before deciding what best works for your organization.

Conclusion

In this era where online threats are rising every second, Cybersecurity vs information security are is a debate whose outcome is key to ensuring a secure environment. The evolution of technology has led to increased online threats and attacks. This leads to the need for more security professionals to help tackle these cases and prevent them from happening.

What about if we view it as an opportunity for more Information security analysts, information security officers, cryptographers, and penetration testers, among other professions?

Cybersecurity vs information security are unlimited skills that will help fill the professional gaps that will surely arise due to the rising demand. For more information about Cybersecurity and information security.