Although cyber and information security are often used interchangeably, they each have specific roles to fulfill. Understanding their differences is integral to providing superior risk management practices.
Information security (Infosec) involves safeguarding data against unauthorised access. Additionally, infosec measures aim to guarantee availability, integrity, and confidentiality, such as encryption or other forms of data protection measures to secure sensitive files.
Definition
Cybersecurity refers to a set of tools used to safeguard data against hackers. It helps defend against attacks such as denial-of-service attacks, data breaches, and ransomware, as well as protect proprietary information or intellectual property theft by attackers. Cybersecurity experts are essential in all industries, from financial to healthcare.
Information security professionals are developing innovative technologies to combat cyber attacks. This includes developing methods of identification, authentication, and authorization that include passwords, biometric systems, and smart cards—not forgetting ways they can stop malicious software from running by detecting and stopping it before it does harm.
Cybersecurity professionals specialise in protecting all types of electronic assets, from personal computers and smartphones to enterprise networks and databases. This includes data at rest and in transit, as well as industrial programmable logic controllers. Stuxnet caused one fifth of Iran’s centrifuges to fail through disruption to their IPC controllers! Likewise, cybersecurity can safeguard an organisation against distributed denial-of-service attacks as well as other hacks that threaten both their reputation and bottom line.
Objectives
Cybersecurity and information security are distinct fields with separate functions. Cybersecurity involves safeguarding an organisation’s digital information against attacks from cybercriminals using tools and strategies such as encryption techniques and access control. Cybersecurity should also include disaster recovery planning to ensure operations aren’t disrupted by attacks from the web or other threats; information security addresses the latter problem directly by protecting information in its entirety against any breaches that might threaten it; and information security ensures protection from external sources.
Cybersecurity aims to achieve three main goals. Confidentiality involves protecting sensitive data from unauthorised access, disclosure, or modification by using strong authentication and authorization policies such as multi-factor authentication and least privilege access. Cryptography technologies like blockchain can also assist in protecting this sensitive information.
Integrity refers to the accuracy and consistency of data and information. To achieve this goal, systems and applications should be free from bugs, malware, or any other forms of malicious software; additionally, it’s crucial to maintain multiple layers of security to guard against attacks exploiting vulnerabilities in hardware or software.
Methods
Information security refers to all processes and procedures designed to safeguard data from unauthorised access, both physically and digitally. Professional information security services prioritise which information needs protection most urgently and use monitoring techniques to prevent unintentional breaches of that data.
Cybersecurity is an aspect of information security that focuses on protecting digital assets and resources, from computers and networks, Internet of Things devices and web apps, all the way down to critical infrastructure such as water and power networks.
Cybersecurity is a complex subject and there are various approaches to protecting an organisation’s information assets. One effective method involves using hardware, software, and policies in combination. A firewall could block malicious websites from entering an organisation’s network while an antivirus scanner detects and eliminates malware infections. End-user education programmes and disaster recovery and business continuity plans are also common practices; IBM FlashSystem provides additional safeguards to ensure data resilience.
Tools
Cyber security professionals employ several tools to protect data. Antivirus software is one of the best-known examples of software that detects and blocks harmful programmes from entering a computer system. Its effectiveness depends on how frequently its updates occur and its recognition of signature-based malware threats; additionally, antivirus can scan systems for vulnerabilities like cross-site scripting (XSS).
Firewalls, or security systems within networks that monitor and evaluate data flows coming in and out, can also provide an effective defense. Firewalls can identify various forms of attacks, including man-in-the-middle attacks and buffer overflows.
Machine learning is another essential tool for identifying various types of attacks with their tactics, techniques, and procedures. It serves to automate security processes and decrease response times for incidents. Imperva’s security solutions utilise machine learning for contextual comparative analysis and prioritising alerts based on priority to help security teams focus their time and resources more efficiently on protecting themselves against threats that pose the greatest danger, saving both precious time and resources in doing so.
Costs
Cybersecurity costs are an ongoing burden on businesses of all sizes. They range from the expenses associated with software, hardware, and service purchases to the repair of data breaches that result in revenue loss or reputational harm. To minimise these risks, the best approach is to implement a comprehensive cybersecurity framework that protects all aspects of your organisation, including people, processes, and technology.
One factor that can greatly impact cyber security costs is the size of an organization. Larger enterprises usually employ more employees and feature more intricate IT infrastructures, putting them at higher risk from cyber attacks than smaller firms.
Costs associated with cyber security vary based on the types of attacks your organisation encounters. For instance, if an increase in automated attacks arises within your organisation, additional preventative measures may be necessary; similarly, more sophisticated attacks could necessitate additional features like intrusion prevention systems, network firewalls, and data encryption features to better secure it from further incursion.
