Information security and cyber security frequently overlap, making them easy to mix up. Information security is a subset of cyber security. The fields, however, are not the same, with each having unique specialties and requiring a particular set of skills.
Information Security vs Cyber Security:
Information security and cyber security are recognized by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as independent job fields. However, there is undoubtedly some overlap between the two. The main distinctions and definitions of each are listed below.
What is Information Security?
Almost everyone wants their personal information to be secure, meaning that only people with the proper authorization can access and use it. This is information security's objective (infosec).
The NIST defines infosec as the process of safeguarding data and information systems from unauthorized access. The unauthorized field is to offer confidentiality, availability, and integrity.
Consider infosec as a catch-all term for all data, not just data kept in cyberspace, to better understand infosec in comparison to cyber security. This highlights how information security is a subset of cyber security, yet the two disciplines are distinct from one another.
Information security teams develop and implement policies and systems to protect information. To protect clients, major enterprises must have strong security measures.
What is Cyber Security?
In the 21st century, a lot of data is kept on networks and computer systems. This applies to almost every industry, and the data needs to be highly protected. Securing this data is the responsibility of information security specialists with a focus on cyber security.
Cyber Security is described by the NIST as safeguarding, avoiding harm to, and reestablishing electronic communications services and systems. This also applies to the data kept in these systems, which cyber security experts try to safeguard.
Everything relating to electronic systems and communications is covered by cyber security. Some subcategories require greater specialization within the topic of cyber security. These cover network, critical infrastructure, and cloud security.
The Biggest Differences:
Since most of the information we want to keep, preserve, and communicate exists in cyberspace, there might be confusion between information security and cyber security. Information security is a subset of cyber security, however not all aspects of information security fall within its purview.
Information security is a broad word that refers to developing and upholding methods and procedures to safeguard all types of information, not simply data in cyberspace, including digital, physical, and intellectual material.
A specialist in information security may create security protocols or design ways for authorized people to access data. On the other side, cyber security focuses on defending data from online attacks like spyware and ransomware.
How Information Security and Cyber Security Overlap:
Cyber Security and information security are closely related. These industries have similar security procedures as well as educational requirements and job requirements.
Shared Security Practices:
The CIA (confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information) triangle paradigm is used by infosec and cyber security to define security policies, which is the area where the two fields most significantly intersect.
Confidentiality is the first element of the triangle, guaranteeing that only authorized people can access and modify data. From the standpoint of the consumer, for instance, we anticipate that online merchants will keep and secure our data, such as credit card numbers, residential addresses, and other personal information.
Second, information's integrity guarantees that it hasn't been tampered with and is completely trustworthy. Using the online shop as an example, the information sent between the retailer and your bank needs to be safe. Otherwise, there can be a difference between the price you paid and the actual cost of your goods.
Last but not least, information availability refers to the data's readiness for use. You must be able to obtain information, for instance, if you need to know how much money is in your bank account. Last but not least, information availability refers to the data's readiness for use. You must be able to obtain information, for instance, if you need to know how much money is in your bank account.
Related Education and Skills:
Many infosec and cyber security jobs at the entry level require a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, cyber security, or a related discipline. With the knowledge and abilities you get from these degrees, you can become an analyst, engineer, specialist, or tester.
Additionally, these professions require experience with technologies including online platform development, network monitoring software, virus prevention, and database user interface and query software.
Common Careers:
The wording used in job descriptions for many information security and cyber security positions is similar or interchangeable. This is because businesses frequently seek information security specialists with a wide range of security abilities, including those in cyber security.
Information Security Roles
Information Security Analyst:
Overview of the profession: Information security analysts frequently carry out duties that are comparable to those of cyber security analysts because so much of our important data is housed on computers. Planning, implementing, updating, and maintaining security procedures to safeguard computer networks and data are the responsibility of these specialists. Additionally, they might write and distribute reports on security metrics and data breaches.
Information Security Specialist:
Information security analysts and specialists both play similar roles in their respective fields of work. These people are part of teams that develop and implement information risk management frameworks, standards, and policies; however, specific positions may have different day-to-day responsibilities. They also assist consumers in accessing databases and taking part in risk evaluations.
IT Security Consultant:
Overview of Your Career: As an IT security consultant, you evaluate the information security of a business and make recommendations for enhancements. Supporting, putting into practice, and maintaining cyber security management and operations, identity access management systems, and other data privacy improvements may fall within your purview.
Cyber Security Roles
Cyber Security Analyst:
Overview of the Career: Cyber Security analysts concentrate on defending data from online threats. These experts carry out threat and event detection as well as data breach response. Cyber Security analysts may create forensic information system analysis and cyber security awareness training, depending on the organization.
Cyber Security Engineer:
Overview of the profession: A cyber security engineer is responsible for supervising the creation of cyber security policies and procedures. Building and maintaining firewalls to ensure secure information transfer, creating security controls to safeguard digital files, and monitoring and responding to security breaches are all part of this job. A bachelor's degree or a cyber security boot camp are good places to start if you're wondering how to become a cyber security engineer.
Penetration Tester:
Overview of the Penetration Testing Profession: In reality, penetration testers are hackers that aim to enhance information security procedures. These experts penetrate and exploit systems, acquire access to private data, and find weaknesses through simulated internal and external cyberattacks. They then create and make recommendations for security measures to address the vulnerabilities. Additionally, they identify areas for development to strengthen system defenses against malicious attacks.