You have probably heard the terms information security and cybersecurity thrown around a lot, but are they the same? Spoiler: not quite. While they’re closely related, they serve different purposes when it comes to protecting your business’s most valuable asset—your data.
Let’s break it down.
What is Information Security?
Information security is all about protecting data in every form—whether it’s digital, on paper, or even the knowledge floating around in someone’s head. The goal is to keep it safe, make sure it’s accurate, and ensure it’s available to the right people when they need it. We’re talking about confidentiality, integrity, and availability, a.k.a the holy trinity of information security.
Think of it this way, if you have sensitive client documents locked up in a filing cabinet, that’s information security at work. It’s more than just digital protection though, it’s the big picture of keeping data safe. This applies to data both online and off.
What is Cybersecurity?
Now, cybersecurity? That is a bit more specific. Cybersecurity zeroes in on protecting digital data. It’s all about defending networks, systems, and anything online from cyberattacks like hacking, malware, and phishing. Essentially, cybersecurity acts as the defense system that blocks unauthorized attempts to access your systems.
Where information security covers all data, cybersecurity focuses specifically on keeping your digital assets out of the hands of cybercriminals. We’re talking about encryption, firewalls, antivirus software, and everything else tech-based that stands between your business and the threats lurking in cyberspace.
Key Differences:
Let’s get straight to it:
- Scope: Information security is the umbrella term that covers all types of data protection. Cybersecurity is specifically about digital data.
- Threats: Information security deals with a broader range of threats, including physical theft or human error. Cybersecurity is focused on digital threats like hackers and malware.
- Approach: Information security involves policies, procedures, and yes, technology. Cybersecurity is almost entirely tech-driven, relying on things like encryption and secure networks to keep threats at bay.
Why Should You Care?
Let’s talk about why all this matters. To fully protect your business, you need both. Information security ensures you have processes in place for securing all data (physical and digital). On the other hand, cybersecurity makes sure your digital assets are locked down tight. Ignoring either one can leave serious gaps in your defense.
How Professional Computer Concepts Can Help
At Professional Computer Concepts, we offer a range of cybersecurity services as part of our managed IT services offering. From monitoring and protecting your digital infrastructure to implementing advanced cybersecurity measures like encryption and real-time threat detection, we ensure your business stays secure 24/7. Our team is dedicated to keeping your systems safe from the ever-evolving world of cyber threats, so you can focus on what you do best—running your business.
Want to make sure your business is covered on both fronts? Contact us today to learn how Professional Computer Concepts can help you build a security strategy that’s as airtight as it gets.
Top Questions about Cybersecurity
What are the 3 key concepts of information security?
In the field of information security, there are three crucial components for safeguarding data: confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
What is information security vs cyber security?
Cybersecurity focuses on safeguarding electronic and mobile devices from online threats. On the other hand, information security (InfoSec) is centered around ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information.
Which is better IT security or cyber security?
Your decision should be based on what you’re most interested in and what you want to achieve in your career. If you like securing systems and dealing with cybersecurity threats, a degree in cybersecurity would be a good choice. But if you’re more interested in a broader understanding of technology, such as software, networks, and databases, then an IT degree might be a better option.