Cybersecurity vs. Information Security: Which Degree Is Best?

In today's digital age, the protection of sensitive information is of paramount importance. As technology continues to advance, so do the threats posed by cybercriminals.

This has led to the emergence of two closely related fields: cybersecurity and information security. While these terms are often used interchangeably, there are key distinctions between them.

In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the realm of cybersecurity vs. information security, explore their definitions, examine their areas of overlap, and discuss the significance of understanding these differences in the ever-evolving security sector.

Information Security vs. Cybersecurity

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recognizes information security and cybersecurity as distinct career areas.

Despite the considerable overlap, it's essential to grasp the fundamental differences between the two.

What Is Information Security?

Information security, often referred to as infosec, revolves around safeguarding data from unauthorized access or use.

This field is concerned with protecting information and information systems, ensuring their availability, integrity, and confidentiality.

Infosec encompasses all data, not just that stored in cyberspace, making it a broader and more comprehensive term than cybersecurity.

Information security professionals are responsible for creating and implementing policies and systems to protect data. This extends to physical assets like computer systems, data centers, and even filing cabinets.

Infosec employs various controls, including procedural controls, access controls, technical controls, and compliance controls, to fortify information security.

What Is An Example Of Information Security?

Information security is inclusive of cybersecurity and also involves:

Procedural controls: These controls prevent, detect, or minimize security risks to any physical assets such as computer systems, data centers, and even filing cabinets. These can include security awareness education, security framework, compliance training, and incident response plans and procedures.

Access controls: These controls dictate who's allowed to access and use company information and the company network. These controls establish restrictions on physical access to building entrances and virtual access, such as privileged access authorization.

Technical controls: These controls involve using multi-factor user authentication at login, firewalls, and antivirus software.

Compliance controls: These controls deal with privacy laws and cybersecurity standards designed to minimize security threats. They require an information security risk assessment and enforce information security requirements.

What Is Cybersecurity?

In the digital age, a significant portion of data is stored in computer systems and networks. Cybersecurity comes into play to protect this data from cyber threats and attacks.

The NIST defines cybersecurity as the practice of protecting, preventing damage to, and restoring electronic communications services and systems. This includes safeguarding the information stored within these systems.

Cybersecurity encompasses a broad spectrum of electronic systems and communications.

It involves specialized subcategories like network security, application security, cloud security, and critical infrastructure security. These subfields focus on securing specific aspects of electronic systems and data.

What Is An Example Of Cybersecurity?

The following are some examples of cybersecurity:

Network security: a practice of securing networks against unauthorized access, misuse, interference, or interruption of service

Application security: a process that involves detecting, fixing, and enhancing the security of applications to prevent data or code within the applications from being stolen

Cloud security: a combination of policies, controls, procedures, and technologies that work together to protect cloud-based infrastructures and systems

Critical infrastructure: a set of foundation tools that provide security services such as virus scanners, intrusion prevention systems, anti-malware software, and more

In contrast, information security is concerned with ensuring data in any form is secured in cyberspace and beyond. That is to say, the internet or the endpoint device may only be part of a larger picture.

Information security professionals focus on the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of all data.

Key Differences

While information security degrees and cybersecurity degrees share common goals and practices, there are notable distinctions.

Scope: Information security is an overarching term that encompasses all forms of data protection, including physical and intellectual property, while cybersecurity specifically targets the security of electronic data and systems.

Focus: Information security professionals concentrate on ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of all data, regardless of its location, whether in cyberspace or physical storage. Cybersecurity, on the other hand, primarily deals with protecting data from cyber threats and attacks.

Overlap Between Information Security and Cybersecurity

Despite their differences, information security and cybersecurity overlap significantly in various aspects:

Security Practices:

Both fields employ the CIA triad model (Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability) to develop security policies.

These principles ensure that information is accessed only by authorized individuals, remains unaltered, and is available when needed.

Education and Skills:

Many careers in both information security and cybersecurity require a strong educational background in related fields such as cybersecurity, computer science, or information technology.

Professionals in both fields need expertise in technologies like database user interface and query software, network monitoring software, virus protection, and web platform development.

Common Career Paths

Professionals in information security and cybersecurity often pursue similar career paths. Here are some common roles and their responsibilities:

Information Security Roles

• Information security analysts are responsible for planning, implementing, upgrading, and monitoring security measures to protect computer networks and information. They also generate reports on security metrics and data breaches.
• Information security specialists are part of teams that develop and implement information risk management frameworks, standards, and policies. They also participate in risk assessments and assist users in accessing databases.
• IT security consultants use their infosec expertise to assess and recommend improvements to an organization's information security. Responsibilities may include supporting data privacy improvements, identity access management systems, and cybersecurity management.

Cybersecurity Roles

• Cybersecurity analysts focus on protecting data from cyberattacks, performing threat detection, and responding to data breaches. They may also develop cybersecurity awareness training and conduct forensic analysis of information systems.
• Cybersecurity engineers are responsible for developing and maintaining cybersecurity procedures and policies. They build and maintain firewalls, develop security controls, and monitor and respond to security breaches.
• Penetration Testers conduct simulated cyberattacks to identify vulnerabilities in systems and suggest security solutions to address these weaknesses. They play a critical role in enhancing an organization's defenses against malicious attacks.

Final Thoughts

In an increasingly interconnected and digitized world, information security and cybersecurity are ever-evolving fields. It's crucial for security teams to understand the distinctions between these two disciplines and recognize their interconnectedness.

The question that organizations must continually address is: What is our most critical data, and how do we protect it?

Understanding the nuances of cybersecurity vs. information security is essential for building robust defense strategies against the evolving landscape of cyber threats.