The Real Difference Between Cyber Security & Information Security

In this digital era, every organization places its data and files on physical or virtual servers. The technology has eased the storage and management of information, but at the same time, it has also brought data security issues. Data and information security have become a significant concern for all types of enterprises. To protect their database from theft and hackers, they need to seek the help of managed IT security service providers. Generally, MSP offers three types of security services to businesses: network security, cybersecurity, and information security. Most people often get confused between cybersecurity and information security. They think that both services are the same. But in fact, each of them signifies different types of protection. Companies need to understand the actual difference between these two terms to deploy robust data security. Let us discuss the real difference between the two terms.

Information Security

Information security is a type of data security that aims to protect the organization’s confidential data from any kind of unauthorized access- The data can be in physical or digital form. The job of an information security professional is to safeguard the confidentiality, availability, & integrity of an organization’s information. They keep their eyes on the data when it is transmitted from one device to another device or from one location to another. Before moving on, let us get insight into the elements of information security -:

• Confidentiality

Confidentiality is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think about data security. The information security engineers ensure that only authorized users access the company’s virtual and physical servers and printed data. They block illegitimate users and those who unethically try to access the data. Various safety measures and techniques are used to preserve data confidentiality. Some of them are encryption, passcodes, cryptography, biometric authentication, etc.

• Integrity

Data integrity is important to maintain its completeness, accuracy, and reliability. The information security specialist prevents data from being modified throughout its lifecycle. They keep the consistency of data with the help of many software tools.

• Availability

Data availability is a vital element of information security. It ensures that the data and information available only to legitimate users. The engineers also keep back up sensitive data in tangible and intangible devices as part of the disaster recovery plan.

Cyber Security

Cybersecurity is another type of managed IT security service used to prevent network devices, systems, and endpoints from cybercriminals and illegitimate hackers. The role of cybersecurity engineers is to safeguard an organization’s network and system from digital attacks. Cyber attacks are performed to steal confidential information or to destroy the network of the organization. Some cybercriminals make use of malwares to extort money from the organization. This type of security deals with only electronic data, whereas information security is meant to protect both digital and printed files.

Types Of Threat From Which Cybersecurity professionals protect your data

• Cybercrime

People make cybercrimes to make some money. They usually target computers to hack credit/ debit card numbers and passwords.

• Cyber Attack

The cyber attacks are made to damage the network and computers in lieu of gaining financial profits. Competitors usually launch them to stay on top of the market.

• Cyberterrorism

It is a criminal act that is performed to create panic among the users. Cyberterrorism aims to weaken the systems by using the following malwares -:

1. Virus
2. Trojan Horse
3. Adware
4. Ransomware
5. Spyware

Malware is nothing but malicious software that wrecks computers or networks. These malicious programs slow down the speed of PCs and eventually affect the productivity of the organization. The cybersecurity specialist protects your systems from malware by keeping system and application softwares up to date.

The Bottom Line -:

Cybersecurity and information security are the primary elements of managed IT security services. Both aim to safeguard your data from unauthorized access. The only difference is that cybersecurity deals with the protection of both electronic and paper documents, whereas cybersecurity shields electronics records.