When it comes to information security vs. cybersecurity, knowing the subtle differences between them can empower you to take the right measures.
After all, security is incredibly important for today’s small or big businesses. According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report, cybersecurity will remain a top concern in 2024.
The same can be said about information security, with the threat of ransomware attacks showing no stopping.
But what do these two types of digital security mean? Because there is some overlap, it’s not uncommon for people to use the terms interchangeably.
This article will help you understand the similarities and differences between cybersecurity and information security.
What Is Information Security?
Information security of infosec is a security function for protecting information and information-handling systems, particularly from unauthorized access and use.
In simpler terms, infosec is all about protecting data, its confidentiality, and integrity. It also ensures that data is available when needed.
Unauthorized access to data can be harmful in several ways. If a bad actor can access data, they may modify or destroy it. Similarly, if the information is confidential, they can disclose it, which, needless to say, is bad for business.
Infosec expands beyond the information saved on electronic devices as it relates to data in any form or format.
In that context, even paper-based files stored in an office come under infosec.
To implement information security, businesses must adopt policies and create systems that safeguard the information they collect, store, and use, regardless of format.
What Is Cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity refers to protecting networks, devices, and applications from cyber attacks that may bring harm.
Cybersecurity focuses more on digital data that resides on networks and devices that make up those networks.
More often than not, cyber attacks, such as ransomware, target information. However, some attacks may not necessarily seek information but intend to cause disruptions.
Regardless of the attack's intent, reliable cybersecurity measures protect against threats and ensure bad actors can’t infiltrate the network and gain access to devices or applications.
Many businesses rely solely on digital data, so they turn to cybersecurity tools and services to protect it.
Cybersecurity is a diverse field with several security areas, including network, cloud, and infrastructure security.
Information Security vs. Cybersecurity: Similarities
By now, you may think that infosec and cybersecurity are similar. You’re not wrong.
There are many parallels between information security and cybersecurity in the context of modern businesses that use applications and store their data in the cloud.
Cybersecurity is a subset of information security, so there are many overlaps. The main similarity is that both infosec and cybersecurity aim to protect digital data.
You may think that infosec has the element of physical security, like protecting paper-based files, but cybersecurity requires some level of physical security.
For instance, data centers or server rooms must be accessed by authorized personnel only to protect the appliances inside, both physically and digitally.
Another similarity is both cybersecurity and infosec use the CIA (confidentiality, integrity, and availability) triad model for data.
Most importantly, a business may create a unified policy governing information security and cybersecurity.
The expertise and skills overlap, too, so one person or company can offer infosec and cybersecurity services.
Information Security vs. Cybersecurity: Differences
Here are the main differences:
Cybersecurity is a Part of Infosec
Infosec focuses solely on protecting information that may reside in digital infrastructure, for which cybersecurity is necessary. On the other hand, cybersecurity focuses on securing networks and devices and, by extension, the data that lives in them.
In short, cybersecurity is a part of a company’s information security, especially in today’s world, where most information is digital.
Infosec covers all aspects of securing information. This may also include physical or intellectual information. On the other hand, cybersecurity only secures digital data.
That’s why cybersecurity deals with cyber threats like malware, spyware, and social engineering attacks.
Infosec is Older
Although the concept of cybersecurity has existed since the early days of the Internet, information security goes even further back.
Today, infosec is largely dominated by cybersecurity practices. However, businesses and government agencies used to store information in offices, which often required physical access controls, such as lockers.
Infosec also included cryptography, so the intended user could only access confidential information.
Companies also needed to protect business secrets and intellectual property, with the latter requiring patenting.
Those age-old principles and strategies have now been digitized to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of information.
Infosec and Cybersecurity: Common Threats
Thanks to the massive adoption of the cloud and digitization of information, including archives, the threats that information security and cybersecurity cater to are largely the same.
Here are the known threats infosec and cybersecurity deal with:
Malware
Malware is malicious software designed to infiltrate or damage IT systems. This cyber threat category includes viruses, worms, Trojans, ransomware, and spyware.
Malware can compromise data integrity, steal sensitive information, or disrupt normal operations by exploiting vulnerabilities in software or executing malicious code.
Ransomware
Although a type of malware, ransomware deserves its own category. It’s the biggest threat for businesses today.
This type of malware is essentially a data breach, where bad actors infiltrate systems and lock out data access, demanding a ransom to restore it. Think of it as the kidnapping of crucial data.
And ransomware is costly. According to the 2023 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, the cost of a ransomware attack has gone up in the last two years, reaching $26,000 on average.
Unfortunately, this threat isn’t unique to large enterprises, as it often targets small businesses and individuals.
Best practices against data breaches can help prevent ransomware attacks.
Phishing
Phishing is a social engineering attack where attackers masquerade as trustworthy entities to deceive individuals into providing sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers, or personal details.
Phishing attacks often occur through emails, text messages, or fake websites designed to look legitimate.
Successful phishing attacks can lead to identity theft, financial loss, or unauthorized access to a business's sensitive systems.
Denial of Service (DoS) and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)
DoS and DDoS attacks disrupt the availability of information. So, these attacks are relevant to the third element of the CIA triad.
In a DoS attack, a single source generates the traffic, while in a DDoS attack, multiple compromised devices (botnets) are coordinated to flood the target.
These attacks can make websites or networks inaccessible, even by legitimate users. And that, in turn, can result in monetary losses.
Insider Threats
Information is also threatened by people's deliberate or unintentional actions within an organization.
For example, an employee could steal sensitive information and abuse their access privileges. Similarly, they could fall victim to social engineering attacks.
Insider threats pose a significant risk as insiders often have legitimate access to sensitive data and systems, making them harder to detect and mitigate.
A recent study by Tessian found that human errors cause 88 percent of data breaches.
Zero-Day Exploits
Zero-day exploits target vulnerabilities in software or hardware that are unknown to the vendor or have not been patched yet.
Attackers exploit these vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to systems, steal information, or launch further attacks.
Zero-day exploits pose a significant risk as there is no available fix or patch to mitigate the vulnerability.
Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks
In MitM attacks, attackers intercept and possibly alter communication between two parties without their knowledge.
Basically, they can eavesdrop on sensitive information, manipulate data, or impersonate one of the parties involved.
MitM attacks can occur in various scenarios, including insecure Wi-Fi networks, compromised network devices, or malicious software installed on a user's device.
Poor Password Security
Password attacks involve attempts to gain unauthorized access to accounts or systems by guessing, stealing, or cracking passwords.
Techniques used in password attacks include brute-force attacks, dictionary attacks, and password spraying.
Weak or reused passwords, as well as inadequate password policies, increase the risk of password compromise.
Cybersecurity Tools and Services
As cybersecurity is a part of infosec, cybersecurity tools help protect information.
With the help of the right tools and dedicated cybersecurity services, businesses can proactively protect information from insider and outsider threats.
In many instances, they’re liable to do so because of regulations that mandate customer data protection.
With sophisticated attacks on the rise, a managed cybersecurity service can provide 24/7 monitoring and ensure compliance with your security policies.
FAQs
Is cybersecurity and data security the same?
Cybersecurity involves protecting devices and services from cyber attacks, whereas data security solely focuses on protecting data.
Cybersecurity is vital for data security, as it helps prevent unauthorized and malicious access.
Is cybersecurity part of information security?
Cybersecurity is a crucial part of information security, as it helps protect digital information on networks and devices.
It forms the core of infosec for modern businesses that rely on digital infrastructure.
What is the CIA in information security?
CIA in information security stands for Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability. These three main principles form the basis of infosec policies and systems.