In the digital world, where data is one of the most valuable assets for individuals, businesses, and governments, and with the latest technological innovations such as cloud services and distributed operating systems, protecting sensitive user data is crucial for any business to succeed. To safeguard sensitive data and information, two ideas were introduced: cybersecurity and Information Security (InfoSec). While information security and cybersecurity share the same goals, they differ in their scope. Cybersecurity focuses on protecting the digital infrastructure from the actions of malicious actors, while information security is more focused on protecting data in all forms, ensuring its confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Implementing the ideas of cybersecurity and information security is crucial for any business to succeed, as both ideas, when implemented effectively, create a defence architecture that protects both the digital infrastructure and the underlying value of the data itself.

What is Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is a process of safeguarding the computer system, network infrastructure, database, and digital architecture from cyberattacks and unauthorised access. To ensure the security of the entire architecture, cybersecurity deploys methods, tools, and protocols that help in securing the digital architecture from being breached and exploited by malicious actors. A successful cybersecurity framework ensures complete protection by deploying multiple layers of protection across the computer system, network, and programs. Cybersecurity is more concerned with threats like malware, ransomware, phishing, and Denial-of-service (DoS) attacks.

What is Information Security

Information Security(InfoSec) is the process by which sensitive information is protected against threats and exploitation. Information Security(InfoSec) includes the tools and the process for preventing, detecting, and remediating attacks and threats to sensitive information. InfoSec is also concerned with documenting the processes, threats, and systems that affect the security of information.

To protect the information from malicious actors, Information Security deploys the CIA framework, which stands for Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability. The CIA framework in detail is:

• Confidentiality: Confidentiality ensures that the sensitive data is accessible only to the authorised individuals. Confidentiality’s purpose is to prevent unauthorised access or misuse of the data.

• Integrity: Integrity ensures that the data remains accurate and unaltered during transmission. Unauthorised access to the data can lead to data modification or corruption, which can compromise the reliability of the data.

• Availability: Availability ensures that the system, networks and data are accessible only to the authorised users. 

Differences between Cybersecurity and Information Security

Cybersecurity and Information security are the processes used to protect information against exploits. Cybersecurity deploys tools and processes that are used to safeguard the entire digital architecture from exploits that are caused by malicious actors. On the other hand, Information Security is more focused on safeguarding the information, whether it’s on the system or on the cloud. Information Security deploys tools and technologies solely focused on safeguarding the information.

1. Scope

Cybersecurity has a narrow scope as it mainly focuses on securing the system, network, and infrastructure from unauthorised digital access, attacks, and damage. Information Security has a broader concept as it covers information in any form, digital, physical, or verbal. Information Security ensures the protection of data throughout its entire lifecycle, regardless of how it is stored or transmitted.

2. Focus Area

Cybersecurity focuses on protecting the systems, networks, and applications that store or process information from external exploits that are performed by malicious actors. Cybersecurity ensures the system is protected against exploits like ransomware, phishing, and Denial-of-service (DoS) attacks. Information security, on the other hand, is focused on protecting the information, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability across every medium.

3. Types of Threats Addressed

Cybersecurity generally addresses threats like malware, hacking, phishing, and network attacks.
Information security is more focused on securing the digital and non-digital threats, such as theft of documents, insider misuse, or accidental data leaks.

4. Controls and Measures

Cybersecurity implements controls like detecting threats in real-time by deploying tools like network monitoring tools and security automation tools with the sole aim of containing the vulnerability. Information security deploys administrative controls with physical security and implements policy and procedures to protect the data and its confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

5. Dependency Relationship

Cybersecurity is a subset of information security. All cybersecurity practices contribute to information security, but not all information security practices involve cybersecurity.

6. Skill Sets and Expertise Required

Cybersecurity requires professionals with core technical skills such as networking, operating systems, scripting, threat hunting, vulnerability assessment, and incident response. Information Security professionals require skills such as governance, compliance, policies and audits.

Where do cybersecurity and information security coincide?

Cybersecurity and Information security both aim to safeguard the data. Both processes focus on protecting digital information from unauthorised access, misuse, or disruption. Although the scope and skillset required are different, there are some areas where cybersecurity and information security overlap with each other. Some of those areas where cybersecurity and information security overlap with each other are:

1. Protection of Digital Data

Cybersecurity and Information security aim to protect the digital information and sensitive data, such as customer data, financial records and credit card data. Information Security defines which data must be protected, while cybersecurity implements the necessary controls to safeguard the information from malicious actors.

2. Access Control and Identity Management

Information security establishes the guidelines, policies, and roles to govern data handling and data protection. While cybersecurity aims to implement the guidelines by using technologies like IAM and multi-factor authentication(MFA)

3. Risk Management and Threat Mitigation

Information security performs strategic planning and governs risk assessments, data classification, and impact analysis. Cybersecurity contains the risk by identifying, preventing, detecting, and responding to attacks.

Conclusion

Cybersecurity is the process by which a business aims to protect its digital infrastructure, whereas Information Security provides ideas and policies to safeguard the data in any form. In modern times, where every device is connected, creating a hyper-connected environment, any business needs to integrate both the ideas of cybersecurity and information security to be successful. InfoSec sets the governance and standards, while Cybersecurity executes the defence. Effectively implementing both ideas ensures that information remains secure, accurate, and accessible across all media.