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Information security includes safeguarding all data types to preserve their confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Cybersecurity is a subset of information security that focuses on defending digital data from cyber threats. Sophisticated ransomware, phishing schemes, and the malevolent application of artificial intelligence are among the emerging developments in information security that need that enterprises implement AI-driven detection systems, layered security defenses, and ongoing staff education. According to the UpGuard article, companies may utilize role-based access, user-friendly security solutions, and flexible policies that allow for remote work to strike a balance between security and productivity. This will guarantee that employees have the access they need without jeopardizing data protection.

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Businesses are relying more on computer systems, strengthening the link between cybersecurity and information security but there are key differences that need to be understood as part of best-in-class information risk management.

To learn about the differences between these two terms, and how to correctly leverage their processes to strengthen sensitive data security, read on.

Cybersecurity Vs. Information Security

Cybersecurity is concerned with protecting electronic devices and mobile devices against attacks in cyberspace. Information security (Info Sec) is concerned with protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information.

Cybersecurity deals with the prevention of ransomware attacks and spyware injections and social media compromise. An example of an information security controls are intrusion detection systems and firewalls.

The job of an information security officer is to understand and identify what confidential information is critical or could be the target of a physical or cyber attack.

It's becoming increasingly common for the majority of business data and sensitive information to be sitting on a cloud provider like an AWS S3 bucket, laptop or somewhere else on the Internet.

But a decade ago the majority of sensitive information was sitting in an office filing cabinet. This is where information security professionals originate from, physically securing data from unauthorized access by implementing access controls.

Cybersecurity can also be described as a process of preventing cyberattacks by assuming a hacker's mindset, while information security focuses on protecting data from threats.

The Parallels Between Information Security and Cyber Security

Cybersecurity and information security are fundamental to information risk management.

And while cyber security professionals are largely concerned with securing electronic data from cyber threats and data breaches, there are still forms of physical security in their job description.

Just as information security professionals lock a cabinet full of personal information, cyber security professionals need physical security measures to ensure adequate data protection. You can't physically lock a laptop, but you can have security systems in place (like a keycard to get into an office) to prevent unauthorized access in the first place.

Regardless of how your information is stored, your organization needs adequate security controls in place to prevent unauthorized access. If you don't, your organization is an easy target for cybercrime and physical security breaches.

Information Value is a Fundamental Part of the Equation

As we alluded to at the start of this post, not all data is as valuable as others just like the difference in value of physical goods. Cybercriminals would rather steal personal information than the event data of a web page. Different information systems have different value and it's important to understand what to prioritize in any security program.

Measuring cybersecurity risk means understanding the threats, vulnerabilities and value of an electric information asset.

This is where an Info Sec professional can help a cyber security professional understand how to prioritize the protection of information while the cyber security professional can determine how to implement IT security.

The Evolution of Cybersecurity

As businesses become more reliant on computer systems and the impact of potential data breaches increases. The role of the Info Sec professional is quickly becoming a key part of the cyber security professional's role who traditionally had to understand computer security, network security, malware, phishing and other cyber threats but weren't necessarily taught the skills of data evaluation in their computer science, information technology or cyber security degree.

Confidentiality, integrity and availability (CIA triad) may not necessarily be terms cyber security professionals are familiar with but they are part of any good information security policy. A key part of cyber security is understanding a subset of information security.

Organizations are increasingly looking to secure information, manage cyber risk, ensure non-repudiation (someone cannot deny an action taken within an information system because the system provides proof of the action), and proper incident response to data breaches and other cybercrimes.

Final Thoughts

Cybersecurity and information security are continuously evolving. Security teams need to understand the key question: what is our most critical data and how do we protect it?

How UpGuard Can Help Protect Your Most Sensitive Information

UpGuard continuously monitors your entire attack surface to discover and mitigate risks exposing sensitive data. This functionality extends to the entire vendor network, minimizing the risk of third-party breaches and supply chain attacks.

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Cybersecurity Vs. Information Security: What's the Difference? | UpGuard

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Learn about the key differences between cybersecurity and information security in this in-depth post.

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General Response Video

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Information security vs cybersecurity: What is the difference?

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The ethics and legality of black-hat, gray-hat, and white-hat hackers vary. Ethical hackers, sometimes known as "white-hats," protect systems by finding vulnerabilities with authorization and acting lawfully. ambiguous-hat workers operate in an ethically and legally ambiguous area by working without express authorization and disclosing vulnerabilities to the general public or the system's owners. Black-hats operate unlawfully and take advantage of weaknesses for their own gain or harm. White-hats want to increase security; black-hats want to earn money or other benefits; and hacktivists, who are a subset of the black-hat community, want to further political objectives. White-hats perform penetration testing, whereas hacktivists and black-hats may use malware or DDoS attacks. Their strategies are in line with their objectives.

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What Is Hacking? Types of Hacking & More | Fortinet

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Hacking in cybersecurity compromises digital devices and networks through unauthorized access. ✓ Discover how hacking works and different types of hacking.

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What Is Ethical Hacking? | Ethical Hacking In 8 Minutes | Ethical Hacking Explanation | Simplilearn

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By integrating Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) into all user access points, such as cloud and on-premise applications, VPNs, and server logins, organizations may improve authentication security. Adhering to standards like RADIUS and OATH, providing a range of authentication factors for user convenience, integrating MFA with single sign-on and least privilege access schemes, and employing adaptive MFA to modify requirements based on context are examples of best practices. Using biometrics has drawbacks, such as possible privacy violations and the possibility of irreversible compromise. Ensuring biometric data is securely maintained, restricting its usage, and offering alternatives to users who are uncomfortable with biometric authentication are all necessary to strike a balance between security and privacy.

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These days, it's pretty clear that to protect systems and data, organizations need to go beyond traditional perimeter defenses. Because most modern cyber-criminals exploit user credentials to get a foot in the door, user identities have become the new perimeter. And leading organizations are turning to MFA to secure their complex, heterogeneous environments.

MFA mitigates password risk by requiring additional factors of authentication: something the user knows, has, and is. It's not difficult to implement, but some up-front planning can further enhance security and save a lot of time and effort. MFA is one of the best ways to prevent unauthorized users from accessing corporate data. It is an integral part of Delinea Identity Services, and we recommend the following best practices for MFA:

Implement MFA across the enterprise

Deploying MFA in silos is the same as locking your front door and leaving your back door wide open. To minimize exposure to attack, you need to consider all access points within the organization, including the cloud. Too many companies are moving data and workloads to the cloud without implementing consistent security across cloud components. Don't be one of them.

Server login and privilege elevation are common links in the cyber-attack chain, so MFA should be deployed for remote network access for distributed employees and business partners across all servers. And ensure you require MFA for users that want to execute privileged commands. This will significantly minimize the damage that can be done if cyber criminals do gain access to your network.

Implementing MFA across all end and privileged users, cloud and on-premise applications, VPN, server login, and privilege elevation helps protect against unauthorized access, data breaches, and password-based cyber-attacks.

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Leverage context for Adaptive MFA

The main benefit of adaptive MFA is the improved user experience. Rather than an "always-on" approach that constantly asks the user for secondary credentials, use context to create an adaptive, step-up approach that only requires additional factors when necessary. Contextual information might include location, network, device settings, or time of day to help determine whether the user is who they claim to be.

For example, a user logging in via the corporate network on a managed device can be granted access with their password. A user logging in from an unknown network on an unmanaged device should be asked for additional authentication.

Provide a variety of authentication factors

User experience is critical for a successful MFA rollout, so you must balance user convenience with security. An inflexible, "one-size-fits-all" approach doesn't suit the needs of different users. A range of authentication methods has emerged to provide organizations with an MFA solution that balances risk, usability, and cost. The latest is biometrics, which includes fingerprint, retina scans, and facial recognition. Other options include:

Opt for a standards-based approach

Standards help ensure that your MFA solution can operate within your existing IT infrastructure. For example, an MFA solution should comply with standards such as Remote Authentication Dial-in User Service (RADIUS) and Open Authentication (OATH). RADIUS is a networking protocol that provides centralized authentication, authorization, and accounting management for users who connect and use a network service. OATH is an open technology standard that enables solutions to deliver strong authentication of all users on all devices, across all networks.

Implement MFA in combination with complementary identity security tools

Mitigate password risk by combining MFA with other solutions such as single sign-on (SSO) and least privilege access. SSO eliminates the need for multiple passwords by authenticating users to all the apps and cloud services they've been given rights to. This eliminates the use of weak, re-used, and improperly stored passwords.

By implementing least privilege-providing users with the lowest level of privilege to perform their daily duties while enabling them to elevate their privilege when needed-businesses can reduce the risk associated with shared accounts as well as the risks associated with compromised credentials.

Regularly re-evaluate MFA

Security vulnerabilities and the threat landscape are constantly changing, as are IT infrastructures, authentication mechanisms, and the applications available to users.

Because of this dynamic environment, companies need to conduct regular assessments to ensure their MFA technology is continuing to meet the needs of users and the organization as a whole, and that it's being applied appropriately.

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Best Practices for Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)

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Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) mitigates password risk by requiring additional factors of authentication: something the user knows, has and is.

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What is Multifactor Authentication (MFA)?