Information Security vs Cyber Security: The Differences

Cybersecurity and information security are not the same, although they are often used interchangeably. These terms are aligned with the security of computer systems. If you are unaware of the differences between these two terms, you may encounter difficulty dealing with computer systems’ security. In simple words, cybersecurity deals with data issues in cyberspace, while information security deals with data security in general. For a beginner, it is troublesome to grasp the difference between cyber security and information security. Let’s explore information security vs cyber security in detail.

What is Cyber Security?

Cybersecurity is the defense of servers, computers, electronic systems, mobile devices, data, and networks from malicious attacks. The requirements for cybersecurity can range from business organizations to individual devices. The attacks are categorized into information security, network security, operational security, application security, disaster recovery, and several others, along with business continuity. To evaluate cybersecurity vs information security further, let’s explore the definition of information security.

What is Information Security? 

Information security and cyber security possess subtle differences. Information security can be defined as the prevention of illegal alteration or access during transferring or storage of data from one machine to another. This information includes social media profiles, biometrics, mobile phone data, and others.

Difference Between Cyber Security and Information Security

There is a specific difference between cybersecurity and information security. Cybersecurity is evident to protect against attacks in cyberspace, such as storage sources, devices, data, and others. Conversely, information security is evident to protect data from significant threats regardless of being digital or analog. Other differences between cyber and information security are:

• Cybersecurity deals with cyber fraud, law enforcement, and cybercrimes. In comparison, information security deals with illegal access, disruption, and disclosure modification.
• Cybersecurity is handled by experts who can deal with advanced persistent threats (APT). Conversely, information security highlights the foundation of data security, and the experts are trained to prioritize resources before eliminating attacks or threats.

To understand the difference between IT security and cyber security further, let’s follow the below table: 

Parameters	Cyber Security	Information security
Protect	Competency to protect the use of cyberspace from cyberattacks	Deals with data protection from any threat.
Threat	Deal with cyberspace danger	Deals with data protection from every threat
Scope	Protect anything in cyber realm	Analyze information irrespective of the realm.
Attack	Action against cyber frauds, cybercrimes and law enforcement	Action against disclosure modification, unauthorized access and disruptions
Security	Secure data from outside the internet resource	Secure data from unauthorized users
Value of Data	Data breach is secured	Data is confidential.
Deals with	Deals with threat to protect the valuable information	Deals with information integrity and assets.
Professional	Deals with cyberspace threats and attacks	Deals with confidential information protection.
Defense	Acts as the primary or first line of defense	Acts when data breach has occurred.

Cyber Security vs Information Security: Curriculum

Looking into the degree title, it can be noted that the Master of Science in Cyber Security is the most popular degree. You may also pursue the following: 

• Master of Science in Computer Engineering with a cyber security concentration 
• Master of Science in Applied Information Technology with a cyber security concentration 
• Master of Science in Cyber Security Management 
• Master of Science in Computer Science with a cyber security concentration 
• Master of Science in Cyber Security Operations and Leadership 
• Master of Science in Technology, Cyber Security and Policy 
• Master of Science in Cyber Security Engineering 

Considering the infosec side, you can pursue a Master of Science in Information Security. Other options include: 

• Master of Science in Information Assurance 
• Master of Science in Cyber Security with an information security concentration 
• Master of Science in Information Security and Assurance 
• Master of Science in Security Informatics 
• Master of Science in Information Security Engineering 
• Master of Science in Information Technology with an information assurance concentration 
• Master of Science in Information Systems and Security Management 
• Some universities also provide a combined degree course without marking infosec vs cybersecurity 
• Master of Science in Computer Information Systems and Cyber Security 
• Master of Science in Information Assurance and Cyber Security 
• Master of Information Security and Cybersecurity 

Cyber Security vs Information Security: Specializations

IT security vs cyber security highlights different specialization courses. Very limited cyber security and infosec master’s programs involve concentration tracks. There are different best Cyber Security courses. Cybersecurity is likely to offer students various concentrations, such as: 

• Cyber Security Policy 
• Cyber Crime Investigation 
• Energy Systems 
• Digital Forensics 
• Network Security 
• Information Technology 
• Systems Security 

Additionally, infosec can be considered as a specialization in computer science, MBA programs and information technology. In some cases, a certified Ethical Hacker course is also available that holds a prospective career. 

Cyber Security vs Information Security: Top Programs

Before answering the question, what is the difference between information security and cyber security? You need to examine the top programs available for these. If you are looking for the top master’s programs besides infosec or cyber security degrees, you must understand that they are competitive and possess tough prerequisites.  

The students are exposed to infinite opportunities to receive hands-on experience in a real-world scenario. The top programs in information and cyber security involve faculties from industry authorities, as well as guest lecturers who are experts in specific domains of IT and cyber security. 

The institutions offering these programs possess valuable connections to security firms and government agencies. This helps students to get adequate access to high-value internships leading to reputed post-graduation placements. 

The top master’s in cyber security programs are offered by different universities around the world, out of which the notable ones are - 

• George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia 
• Boston University. Boston, Massachusetts 
• Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 
• Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 
• Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 
• New York University, NYC, New York 
• Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida 
• University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia 
• Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 
• Amity University, Noida, India 

Cyber Security vs Information Security: Cost And How Long Does It Take?

It is not essential to possess a master’s degree to work in information assurance or cyber security. However, having one can enhance your earning potential and open new doors of opportunity to excel in your career. You might need to pay between Rs. 1.4-2.2 lakhs for an affordable cyber security master’s program. Investing in a master’s degree is profitable as a bachelor’s degree holder will earn Rs. 3,00,000- Rs. 5,00,000 per year, while a master’s degree holder can earn above Rs. 10,00,000 per year.

Conversely, the average cost of a master’s degree in information security is approximately Rs. 1.00-3.0 lakhs. The least expensive program is usually within Rs. 2 lakhs. You are likely to get a significant hike in salary with this degree. A bachelor’s holder gets about Rs. 3 lakhs- 5 lakhs per year, while a master’s holder earns approximately Rs.10 lakhs.

A Master’s program in both cyber security and information security takes 2-years to complete. On the contrary, a part-time master’s course may take up to 5 years. Although there are certain accelerated cyber security and information security master’s programs of 1-year duration, most are usually 4+1 degrees.

Here, the students must accomplish 30-35 credit hours of work to be eligible for graduation.

Cyber Security vs Information Security: Job Outlook

The Global Information Security Workforce study revealed that the information and cyber security workforce gap is likely to increase by 1.7 million by the end of 2023. A shortage of qualified cybersecurity experts is evident, and the demand may enhance as more businesses automate and digitalize every year.

On the other hand, the information security sector is likely to witness job growth in the coming years, and thus, it is a profitable career opportunity for students.     

Cyber Security vs Information Security: Career Paths And Earning Potential

You will earn approximately Rs. 10 lakhs with a master’s degree in information security. However, the earning potential varies as per the job role. For instance, a person entering the cyber security industry may work as a cyber security administrator, cyber security consultant or cyber security engineer.  

They are likely to earn approximately Rs.10 lakhs, 15 lakhs, and 20 lakhs, respectively. Conversely, common roles in information security involve chief information security officer, director of information system security, information security analyst and information security consultant. Their salary range is approximately Rs. 5 lakhs, 10 lakhs and 15 lakhs, respectively.    

Cyber Security and Information Security: Importance

Importance of Cyber Security

• Cyber and information security differ significantly. Application security and network security usually emphasize securing computer networks in alignment with devices and software free from vulnerabilities and threats, respectively. Conversely, disaster recovery highlights the reaction of a firm when it encounters a loss of data, thereby trying to restore operational capabilities.
• Understanding the cybersecurity definition will not serve unless the various types of attacks are understood to a specific extent. Attacks are usually classified into four groups: cyber-attacks, cybercrimes, and cyberterrorism.

These attacks are usually supervised using different mediums involving malware such as trojans, viruses, spyware, adware, botnets, and ransomware. Phishing, SQL (structured query language) injection, and denial-of-service attacks are other malware.

• Cyberthreats have increased extensively in the past few years, as stated by a cybersecurity report. It is evident that data breaches expanded beyond 7.9 billion records in 2019. The threats are noted daily, and there will be global spending of approximately $132.9 billion by the end of 2022 on cybersecurity services and solutions.

Importance of Information security

• Information security is developed to incorporate three definite goals of integrity, confidentiality, and availability. Data involving information of high value or personal information must be kept confidential.

Thus, it is essential to block every illegal access. Considering integrity, it can be noted that the stored data must be maintained sequentially. This will eliminate any significant unorderly modification by an unofficial person that must be canceled immediately. Hence, the data stored can be accessed anytime by an official person. Besides, a denial-of-service attack is likely to endanger that action.

• Information security in cyber security is important. To affirm the effective operation of information security, firms design definite policies such as password policies, control policies, and operation policies along with data support. Measures also involve network intrusion detection systems, regulatory compliance, and mantraps.

Where Do Cybersecurity And Information Security Overlap?

There is some overlap between cybersecurity and information security, which leads to some understandable confusion between the two terms and gives rise to something other than cyber security vs. information security.

• The majority of information is digitally stored on a network, computer, server, or in the cloud. Criminals can gain access to this information and use it to their advantage. Both cybersecurity and information security have a physical security component.
• If you have a box full of confidential paper documents, you need some physical security to keep people from rummaging through the information. As more data becomes digital, the process of protecting that data necessitates the use of more sophisticated IT security tools.
• So, while you can't physically lock a desktop computer, you can lock the door to your server room. In other words, whether your data is physically or digitally stored, you must ensure that appropriate physical controls are in place to prevent unauthorized individuals from having access.
• The data valuation is the most important factor to consider for both types of security. The primary concern in information security is ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data. Whereas, the primary concern in cybersecurity is preventing unauthorized electronic access to data.
• In both cases, it is critical to understand what data, if accessed without authorization, is most damaging to the organization so that a security framework with appropriate controls in place can be established to prevent unauthorized access. In some cases, an information security professional will assist a cybersecurity professional in prioritizing data protection; the cybersecurity professional will then determine the best course of action for data protection.
• Where dedicated resources exist in separate teams, both teams will likely collaborate to develop a data security framework. The information security team prioritizes the data to be shielded, and the cybersecurity team develops the data protection protocol.

Masters In Cyber Security Vs Master's In Information Security: Which is for You?

Still confused about whether to choose information security or cyber security. Both cyber security and information security careers are promising. There is no downfall to pursuing any of these career courses. You need to understand what drives your thinking and which course will bring profits to both your earnings and knowledge.

To Sum Up

Due to ever-expanding attacks and threats, there is an urgent need to enhance security professionals. Thus, a growth of about 29.8% in cybersecurity professionals is essential in the information security and cybersecurity space. Therefore, although there lies a significant difference between information security and cybersecurity, these two terms are often used interchangeably. If you have an interest in this domain, KnowledgeHut’s best Cyber Security courses are suitable for you.