Introduction

If you are also confused between information security and cyber security, my friend, be assured you are not the only one. It is common to confuse these two areas as they come from the same origin, but their function and requirements differ entirely. They each have their own identity, and their functions and implementations never collide. 

So today, we will discover the fundamental difference between information security and cyber security and free you from this pool of confusion. This blog will clarify each field’s distinct specialties, roles and responsibilities, skill sets, job prospects, and salary structure with a detailed career path.

Give this blog a thorough read to clear all doubts that linger in your mind and have no second thoughts on cyber security vs information security. If this blog piques your interest, you can even pursue a cyber security or information security career.

If you’re in information security, your primary concern is protecting your organization's data from unauthorized access of any sort — and if you’re in cybersecurity, your primary concern is protecting your organization’s data, storage resources, and software from unauthorized electronic access or cyber attack. 

To fully understand the difference between information security and cybersecurity, it’s essential to understand both security terms in detail and how they are related. This article will explain the vital differences between cybersecurity and information security and explain these security-based terms in detail with their career outlook. But Before moving forward to the information security Vs. cybersecurity, let’s try to understand both cybersecurity and information security individually.

What is Information security?

Information security is the practice of protecting information as well as information systems against unauthorized access, disclosure, disruption, destruction, modification, removal, or use. It generally focuses on the confidentiality, integrity, availability (CIA) aspects of the information.

• Confidentiality – Refers to preserving authorized restrictions on access and disclosure of information, including a means for protecting personal privacy as well as proprietary information.
• Integrity – Refers to defense against inappropriate information, destruction, or modification ensuring information authenticity and non-repudiation.
• Availability – Refers to ensuring reliable and timely access to information.

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What is cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity protects networks, servers, electronic systems, computers, programs, and data from malicious cyber-attacks. These attacks are usually aimed at assessing, changing, or destroying sensitive information. It is also responsible for identifying critical data, its risk exposure, and the technology you must implement to protect information.

It also protects information and communications technologies, termed ICT (information and communications technology) security. You can explore this field and learn about Cybersecurity, its certifications, salaries, and job trends.

What Is Meant By Cloud And Network Security?

Cloud and network security are vital aspects of keeping information safe and sound. They include end-to-end encryption and various security protocols to defend the data from being misused. 

Network security refers to safeguarding your network from hackers, including guaranteeing that only authorized users can avail of the network and that all the information being transferred over the network is encrypted. Network security also includes firewalls to prevent unauthorized users from accessing the network. 

Cloud security is defending the data from being accessed and changed by unauthorized users. This involves guaranteeing that authorized people can access the data and the information kept in the cloud storage is well encrypted. Cloud security also includes firewalls and various security measures to avoid invalid access to your information.

Cloud and network security are essential to keep the data safe. However, they involve various advantages as well as disadvantages. While selecting a security solution for the data, it is vital to consider both the alternatives to know the strategy to handle and manage critical tasks.

Information security vs Cybersecurity Based On Different Factors

How Information Security and Cybersecurity  Differ In Definition

Information security is the process of protecting information as well as information systems against unauthorized access, disclosure, destruction, undesired modification.

Primarily focuses on information and ensures its confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Whereas…

Cybersecurity refers to the practice of protecting data, its related technologies, and storage sources from malicious attacks. It is all about the cyber realm and the data associated with it.

How Information Security and Cybersecurity  Differ In Domain

Information security deals with protecting both digital and analog forms of information regardless of the realm. It deals specifically with information assets and ensures integrity, confidentiality, and availability of information.

Whereas…

Cybersecurity deals with the protection of anything and everything present in the cyber realm, such as data, information, storage resource or devices, and associated technologies.

How information security and cybersecurity differ in  Process

Information security simply protects information from any form of threat and forms the foundation of data security.

Whereas... 

Cybersecurity primarily deals with protecting the use of cyberspace from advanced persistent cyber threats. 

How Information security and Cybersecurity differ in Functionality

Information security deals with all forms of threats against information. Disclosure modification and disruption, and unauthorized access are the most important issues tackled by information security specialists.

Few more information security functionalities are:

• Procedural controls: These controls prevent, detect, or minimize security risks to any physical assets such as computer systems, data centers, involve security frameworks, compliance training, and more.
• Access controls: These controls regulate who is allowed to access and use company information, network, and resources. 
• Technical controls: These controls involve using multi-factor user authentication, firewalls, and antivirus software.
• Compliance controls: These controls deal with privacy laws and cybersecurity compliances designed to minimize security threats.

Whereas…

Cybersecurity deals with all dangers lurking in cyberspace specifically cybercrimes, cyber frauds, and law enforcement. Also responsible for identifying critical data,  and its risk exposure, and the required technology to protect it.

Few more cybersecurity functionalities are:

• Network security: the practice of securing networks against unauthorized access, misuse, interruption of network services.
• Application security: the process that involves detecting, fixing, and enhancing the security of applications. 
• Cloud security: the process of protecting cloud-based infrastructures and systems
• Critical infrastructure: Set of antivirus tools that provide security services such as virus scanners, intrusion prevention systems, anti-malware software, and more.

Information security vs Cybersecurity: Career Outlook

If you are planning to join information security or cybersecurity career, you might have questions like….

• Which is better, cybersecurity or information security?
• What all skills & certifications are required for a shining security career?
• Is it possible to get into cybersecurity without a degree?
• How to get into a security career with no experience?
• What is the average salary for cybersecurity specialists?

How are These Security-Based Terms Related to Each Other?

Information security deals with protecting all forms of information regardless of the realm. While Cybersecurity deals with protecting anything and everything present in the cyber realm only. So, cybersecurity can be viewed as a subset of information security, ultimately both consider the value of the data and focus on data protection. 

Both information security and cybersecurity personnel need to be aware of the scope and the shared mission to secure your organization.

The Must-Have Skill Sets For Information Security or Cyber Security Careers

If you want to plunge into a career in the security field and reach new heights, you will need to exhibit brilliant technical skills with specific domain knowledge and various soft skills. JanBask Training Cybersecurity courses can help you a lot during the process. Let’s examine the technical and non-technical skills needed to become an information security or cyber security expert.

 Required Technical Skills 

• SIEM Management
• Audit & Compliance
• Analytics & Intelligence
• Firewall/IDS/IPS Skills
• Digital Forensics
• Intrusion Detection
• Device Management
• Security Development
• Understanding of Hacking
• Security Incident Handling & Response
• Advanced Malware Prevention
• Data Management Protection
• Identity & Access Management

Required Nontechnical Skills 

• Strong Leadership
• Passionate About Learning
• Analytical, Inquisitive, and Insightful
• Hyper Critically thinking
• Project Management
• Collaborative & Consultative

World-Class Certifications for Information Security and Cyber Security Career

Understanding technical security issues is critical for any cybersecurity or information security professional, regardless of the specific field of specialization. Understanding the differences between these two related but distinct fields can help individuals choose the most appropriate career options that match their goals and interests. Relevant top security certifications are sought after by employers, which will help you land a great job with a lucrative salary.

Best Information Security Certifications

Wondering about the best information security certifications? Don’t worry. A list compiled just for you mentions all the information security certifications. Let’s have a look.

• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) 
• CompTIA Security+ 
• Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP) 
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) 
• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) 
• NIST Cybersecurity Framework (NCSF) 
• Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)

 Best Cyber Security Certifications

The best cyber security certifications are stated below that will give you a clear idea on why you should pursue this domain. Let’s have a glance at it.

• CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) 
• GSEC: GIAC Security Essentials. 
• ECSA: EC-Council Certified Security Analyst.
• GPEN: GIAC Penetration Tester.
• SSCP: Systems Security Certified Practitioner.
• Cyber Security- Master
• CRISC: Certified in Risk and Information System Control. 
• CISA: Certified Information Systems Auditor.

Which is better, cybersecurity or information security as a career?

There might be a difference between cybersecurity and information security, but they are both are equally demanding and the fastest-growing careers need qualified security professionals, offering job opportunities with high median salaries, and a challenging, fast-paced work environment. Based on your interest and the above-highlighted differences, you can choose the suitable one.

How Can A Degree In Cybersecurity Or Information Security Be Helpful?

Grabbing a cybersecurity or information security degree can open the gates to entry-level and intermediate ranks, comprising computer and information systems management, information security analysis, and computer architecture. Look at the degrees you can earn from a cybersecurity or information security course.

1. Computer And Information Systems Manager

A computer and information systems manager is responsible for achieving company targets by collaborating on actions relevant to computer systems. You will also be required to detect issues and take the necessary steps to correct them. Apart from this, your duty is maintaining hardware and software, suggesting updates, examining and showing the budget to firm executives, and collaborating with other experts. 

2. Information Security Analyst

They defend the computer system by generating security programs. You will be responsible for detecting and settling security breaches and probable problems. Researching fresh security programs, showing them to the hierarchy, helping to install security systems, and arranging reports related to security issues are also a part of your duty.

3. Computer Systems Analyst

Computer systems analysts produce solutions to issues underlying the computer system. You must find technology to refine the system’s speed and examine effective upgrades. You shall produce new systems and updates to the hardware and software. Other responsibilities include writing system guidelines, training others to use the system, monitoring the system installations, and examining them for further issues.

4. Computer Network Architect

Computer network architects create local, substantial areas and various data interaction networks. They shall update software and hardware, strategize the networks they want to create and show the plans to other members, find new technology helpful for the agency, analyze the networks for issues, and adopt ways to eradicate the same.

What is the Average Salary for Cybersecurity?

With the rise in cybercrime, there is an unsurprising corresponding increase in demand for information security or cybersecurity professionals. Not only do opportunities abound, but also offer solid job security with generous compensation. 

Here’s a sample of popular cybersecurity job roles with their average salary range:

• Information Security Manager: $125,000 to $215,000
• Cybersecurity Engineer:$120,000 to $200,000
• Application Security Engineer: $120,000 to $180,000
• Cybersecurity Analyst: $90,000 and $160,000
• Penetration Tester: $80,000 to $130,000
• Network Security Engineer: $125,000 to $185,000

^{Reference : 2019 Tech & Digital Marketing Salary Guide}

How to be a Cybersecurity Professional with no Experience?

Getting a job in the security industry is one of the biggest concerns among interested students/professionals. While the process can seem a bit difficult, it’s a series of essential steps, and each step gets you closer to your dream of working as a security professional.

1. Get a bachelor's degree in computer science or cybersecurity domain.
2. Earn relevant Cybersecurity certification. 
3. Get a Security Clearance, essential for working with government, security firms, and multinational organizations. 
4. Get Experience by getting an internship before graduating or right after you graduate and build up skill sets necessary for propelling in the right career path.

There are numerous Cyber certification paths you can take to get into a cybersecurity career. All you need to improve your skills is to stay up on the latest threats and technology.

Is it Possible to Get into Cybersecurity Without a Degree?

Absolutely! all you need is a credible cybersecurity certification.

It’s wondering but true you don’t need to have a degree to start a career in cybersecurity, relevant certifications, can help you enter the security industry. You just need the practical training from JanBask Training, relevant certification, and the right mindset to move forward.

The industry is suffering from a lack of skilled security talent and on the other hand, demand is on rising.

As per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of information security analyst jobs is projected to grow 31% by 2029, adding 40,900 jobs.

But, here we want to add, employers, want proof you have the expertise they need. Having a relevant degree and certification can help you transform your professional trajectory and increase your earning potential while rewarding your security career.

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Conclusion:

Whether information security and cybersecurity both deals with data protection but differs in the breadth of their focus. Both are the two most demanding traits as they are complementary to each other. Become the part of the JanBask Training Community to get connected with the top industry professionals and cyber experts.

As cyber threats become a growing reality for businesses, organizations need to prioritize developing and maintaining a team of highly trained Information security or cybersecurity experts. Such security solutions help an organization monitor, detect, report, and counter cyber threats to maintain data and information confidentiality. This growing demand for cyber security professionals opens up the door for those who want to become security professionals. All you need is to polish your skills, get a relevant degree and certifications.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What are the benefits of the cyber security training & certification course?

Ans: The cyber security training & certification course is crucial as it proves and verifies an individual’s cybersecurity knowledge, capabilities, and professionalism. The cyber security training course also allows people to stand apart from the rest of the crowd in the job scenario and support them in their career path with extra confidence.

Q2. What are the various career paths that one can dream of on attending cyber security training?

Ans: Cybersecurity training is necessary to advance in this domain. It validates your knowledge and introduces you to various new terms related to the concept. The cyber security training course leads to different careers, such as chief information security officer. Security architect, cybersecurity engineer, malware analyst, and many more.

Q3. What are the prerequisites needed to take up the cyber security training online?

Ans: There are particular prerequisites to taking up cyber security training online. An individual must have a bachelor's degree in technology in cyber security. Also, the candidate must have passed his 10+2 with subjects including Physics, Chemistry, and Maths.

Q4. What are the subjects included in the cybersecurity training classes?

Ans: The cybersecurity training classes include business intelligence, data security, risk analysis, penetration testing, network security, and others.

Q5. Are cybersecurity training classes difficult for freshers?

Ans: The cybersecurity training classes are tough to learn. However, like other domains, the candidate must be interested in learning cybersecurity. A detailed comprehension of networking is needed to begin a career in this domain. It will enable you to know the data transfer’s technical dimensions, which will protect the sensitive data.