By Lili Marleeen Moser | 828 words | Read time: 4 minutes
The terms cybersecurity and information security are often used interchangeably. However, it is important to understand that these concepts, though related, refer to two distinct areas of protection.
This blog post aims to clarify these differences, drawing primarily from IBM’s viewpoints, while acknowledging that there isn’t a canonical definition for these fields.
Cybersecurity is “the practice of protecting people, systems and data from cyberattacks by using various technologies, processes and policies”[1].
Information security, on the other hand, is “an umbrella term that covers an organization’s efforts to protect information. It includes physical IT asset security, endpoint security, data encryption, network security and more”[2].
Below, we will delve deeper into the definitions and differences between cybersecurity and information security.
Defining the terms
Information security entails safeguarding all forms of information and data, regardless of whether it is stored digitally or physically.
The main concern here is to protect and preserve the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information, which is also known as the CIA triad.
Confidentiality means that information can only be accessed by authorized persons, for example ensuring that only approved employees can view sensitive customer financial records.
Integrity refers to ensuring that the information stored (either physically or digitally) is complete and accurate, for instance preventing unauthorized modification of a database, ensuring that sales figures remain accurate.
And finally, availability means that the information can be accessed by authorized persons when they need it, e.g., guaranteeing that critical business applications are accessible to employees during working hours.
Cybersecurity focuses on protecting and preserving digital assets and the information they hold from malicious cyber threats such as malware, phishing attacks, and hacking attempts.
Effective cybersecurity means having multiple layers of protection. Types of cybersecurity include network security, application security, and endpoint security, among others.
Key differences
While both areas focus on protection and preservation, the scope differs.
Information security is broader and encompasses all forms of information, whether digital or physical. It is about protecting data in all its forms, including paper documents, verbal communication, and digital files.
Cybersecurity, however, specifically focuses on protecting digital information and the systems that store, process, and transmit it.
It is about defending against cyber threats and attacks.
Consider a paper archive of sensitive documents: Its protection (locked doors, access controls) falls under information security, even without any digital component. However, the security of an online database storing those same documents falls under both cybersecurity and information security.
This distinction highlights that a breach in information security isn’t always a cyberattack; it could be a lost physical file or an unauthorized person overhearing a sensitive conversation.
All cybersecurity is information security – but not the other way around
Essentially, information security can be seen as the umbrella term where cybersecurity falls under.
As a rule of thumb, all cybersecurity is information security, but not all information security is cybersecurity.
Think of it like this: Security is the broad field of protecting assets. Physical security is one subset (like locking doors or installing alarm systems), and cybersecurity is another, dealing with digital assets.
However, in situations where the availability of services is critical, rather than the information itself, the distinction becomes clear.
Take, for example, a water utility company facing a destructive cyberattack. In such a scenario, the primary target isn’t the information it holds, but the operational continuity of the service itself.
This type of attack directly impacts the ability to deliver water, which falls outside the traditional focus of information security. Instead, it highlights the crucial role of cybersecurity in maintaining the functionality and uptime of essential services.
Why Does It Matter?
As businesses increasingly depend on computer systems and innovative technologies, the alignment between cybersecurity and information security continues to strengthen.
Understanding this difference is important because it helps organizations develop comprehensive security strategies.
Information security requires a holistic approach, considering all aspects of data protection. Cybersecurity requires specialized tools and techniques to address digital threats.
A holistic information security strategy will identify all valuable information assets (digital and physical), assess their risks, and then deploy appropriate controls. Within this, cybersecurity professionals will then implement the specific technical safeguards for digital assets, ensuring they align with the broader organizational information security policies.
This distinction is also crucial for organizations in defining roles and responsibilities, as information security often involves governance and risk management across all data types, while cybersecurity focuses on the technical implementation and defense of digital assets.
In essence, while cybersecurity is indispensable for defending our digital world from ever-evolving threats, it operates within the broader framework of information security, which seeks to protect all forms of valuable information.
Recognizing this hierarchy helps organizations build a resilient security posture, ensuring that both digital and physical assets are safeguarded in an increasingly complex threat landscape.
[1] https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/cybersecurity
[2] https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/information-security
For other perspectives on the definitions and the differences between cybersecurity and information security, see:
https://www.forbes.com/advisor/education/it-and-tech/information-security-vs-cybersecurity/
https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/security/business/security-101/what-is-information-security-infosec and https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/business/security-101/what-is-cybersecurity
https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/learn/topics/security/what-is-cybersecurity.html and https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/learn/topics/security/what-is-information-security-infosec.html