hands on laptop keyboard - information security vs cybersecurity
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Many people use the terms information security and cybersecurity interchangeably, but there is a big difference between the two concepts. In this blog post, we’ll break down what information security is, what cybersecurity is, and the benefits of having both in your business.

If you’re looking to improve your company’s security posture, it is important to understand these concepts and reach out to cybersecurity professionals for help!

What is Information Security?

Information security primarily refers to protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data, no matter its form. Information security can just as easily be about protecting a filing cabinet of important documents as it is about protecting your organization’s database.

Information security is, broadly, the practice of securing all the data in your organization. This includes everything from physical security (like keeping that filing cabinet locked) to logical security (like ensuring only authorized users have access to your database).

What is Cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity, on the other hand, focuses on protecting all your digital systems and assets, including computers, networks, and data storage, against electronic threats. Those threats can include anything from malware and viruses to phishing attacks and DDoS attacks. These attacks are usually aimed at accessing, changing, or destroying sensitive information; extorting money from users; or interrupting normal business processes.

In short, cybersecurity is about protecting your systems, including your data, from being accessed or stolen by unauthorized individuals. Cybersecurity generally has a more all-encompassing scope than information security, and it includes controls like firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and encryption technologies that can be used to protect against these attacks

While both focus on protecting your data, they take different approaches to doing so. Information security can often be more physical in nature, while cybersecurity is more narrowly focused on electronic assets, but more broadly covering different devices and systems instead of only the data they may carry.

The Benefits of Having Both Information Security and Cybersecurity

Having both in place provides a well-rounded approach to protecting your data. By having both, you can better protect your data from any type of threat, whether it’s physical or electronic. Some more benefits of having both information security and cybersecurity include:

  • Improved security posture: By having both in place, you can better protect your data and improve your overall security posture. This will help give you peace of mind knowing that your data is well protected.
  • Increased protection: As mentioned before, by employing both protocols, you can better protect your data from any type of threat. This increased protection can help save you time, money, and resources in the long run.
  • Improved compliance: Depending on your industry, there may be certain compliance requirements that dictate the need for both information security and cybersecurity. By utilizing both aspects of security, you can ensure that you are meeting all compliance requirements and avoid any penalties.

Need Better Information Security or Cybersecurity?

While both are important, they are not interchangeable. It is important to understand the difference between the two concepts and have both in place to fully protect your data. If you have any questions about implementing either information security or cybersecurity measures, reach out to professionals at GXA for help!