What is the difference between Information Security and Cybersecurity?

When we talk about data security, we are talking about protecting data from malicious users and threats. Another question is: What is the difference between data and information? An important point is that "not all data can be information". Data can be information if it is interpreted in a specific context and given meaning.

For example, "130882" is data, and if we know that it is a person's date of birth, then it is information because it now has a meaning.

The terms cybersecurity and information security are often used interchangeably. Since both are responsible for the security and protection of the computer system from threats and information breaches. Cybersecurity and information security are often so closely related that they appear and, unfortunately, are used synonymously.

But in short, one is about protecting data in cyberspace, the other is about data security in general. Simple yet complicated for beginners to understand.

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What is InfoSec or Information Security?

So first have a look at Information Security!  

Information security can be described in simplified terms as the prevention of unauthorized access or modification when storing data or transferring it from one device to another. The information can be biometric data, corporate data, social media profiles, cell phone data, etc.

Information security should cover the three objectives of confidentiality, integrity and availability. Data, including personal information or information of high value, must be kept confidential and it is important to prevent any unauthorized access.

In terms of integrity, the stored data must be kept in the correct order so that any disorderly change by an unauthorized person can be immediately reversed. Finally, it is essential that the stored data can be retrieved at any time by authorized individuals.

However, information security is not just about protecting information from unauthorized access. Information security is basically the prevention of unauthorized access, disclosure, disruption, modification, use, recording, utilization or even destruction of information.

Interesting to know but not a fun fact: During World War I, a multi-level classification system was developed to account for the sensitivity of the information. With the start of World War II, the classification system was formally adapted. Alan Turing was the one who successfully decoded the Enigma machine used by the Germans to encrypt wartime data.

These information security programs of the time were designed to achieve 3 goals commonly known as CIA: Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability, somehow strange.

Nowadays, to ensure efficient information security operations, organizations establish various policies, such as an ISO 27001 certification. ISO/IEC 27001:2013 (also known as ISO27001) is an international standard for information security.

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What is CyberSec or Cybersecurity?

Now, let’s talk about Cybersecurity. What’s up there?

The mission of cybersecurity can be defined as the protection of computers, servers, mobile devices, electronic systems, networks and data from malicious attacks, both for businesses and personal devices.  

It is not enough to understand the definition of cybersecurity without knowing the different types of attacks to some degree. Attacks fall into four categories: Cybercrime (aimed at financial gain), cyberattacks (mostly political attacks), and cyberterrorism. These attacks are often carried out using various means such as malware (viruses, Trojans, spyware, ransomware, adware, and botnets). Other possibilities include SQL injection and phishing.

Cybersecurity aims to protect against attacks in cyberspace, e.g. on data, devices or storage sources. On the contrary, information security aims to protect data from any form of threat, whether analog or digital.

Cybersecurity typically addresses cybercrime, cyber frauds and law enforcement. In contrast, information security deals with unauthorized access, disclosure, modification, and disruption that occurs.

Cybersecurity is the responsibility of professionals who are specially trained to deal with persistent threats. Information security, on the other hand, is the foundation for data security and is trained to prioritize resources first before responding to threats or attacks.

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8 Differences between Information Security and Cybersecurity:

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The core of information security is maintaining the confidentiality of information to ensure that information is not compromised during critical events. For example, the field of information security has evolved significantly in recent years, including securing networks and related infrastructure, securing applications and databases, Pentesting, information systems auditing, and business continuity planning, to name a few.
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