The Difference Between Cyber Security and IT Security

Preventing hacks was once just a simple task. People simply had to install antivirus software in their computers and all their sensitive data were already safely guarded. However, as technology advanced, hacking styles became more complicated to analyze, and a simple antivirus is no longer enough for malware protection.

These days, sensitive data isn’t present on computers alone. Hence, your PCs are not the only things that can be hacked.

Cybercriminals have grown so smart that they can gain access to almost anything that contains digital data. In fact, BigRentz mentioned in his blog that there are 15 things in our lives we never thought could be attacked in a cybercrime.

For instance, your credit card can be accessed using your username and password, which for hackers are too easy to analyze. Your keyless cars can be unlocked through signal amplification relay attack; your mobile phone data can be duped so someone else can take your calls and messages; and so on.

Indeed, the Internet of Things (IoT) effectively prevented data theft in the physical world, but it also made cybercrime easier for genius hackers. So to make things harder for these offenders, two ways of securing information were developed – they are the information security and cybersecurity.

Although often interchanged, information security and cybersecurity are actually different. Both are used to protect computer systems from malware and other kinds of threats, but their style and implementation are somewhat dissimilar.

To fully understand their difference, it’s essential to know the basics like what these technologies really are, how they are connected with each other, and maybe cite a few examples of these securities methods.

So let’s begin.

Information Technology Security vs Cyber Security

Cybersecurity and information technology security has different characteristics and capabilities. One can protect your data only in the cyber realm while the other works on both the cyber and physical worlds.

First, you need to know that “DATA” doesn’t need to be on digital devices only. It can be printed and stored in a file cabinet, and that is when you need good information security. Meanwhile, all information stored on devices that are powered by IoT needs cybersecurity.

For an overview, here’s an infographic that compares information security and cybersecurity side by side:

Information Technology Security

Information for any organization is vital for its operation. It refers to records, personal data or intellectual property that should be protected from outside forces.

You might not know, though, that information technology refers not just to computers but all physical elements that can contain all of these forms of information. It includes printed files, removable disks, mobile devices, and a host of other places.

The process of safeguarding both the information and the devices used to store them is called information security. Hence, and as already mentioned, IT security involves both physical and cybersecurity.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity takes care of everything you stored on the cyberspace that can be accessed through the internet or system network. Crooks plant malware to conduct cybercrimes and cybersecurity is in charge of scanning malicious websites, links, email attachments and, other the medium used for hacking, phishing, theft, infiltration, and network damage.

Many offenders now take advantage of the internet to commit crimes because this way, they don’t need to enter the business premises and leave evidence of their illegal acts. So while cybersecurity is just a part of information security strategies, it proves to be the most important.

Here’s a way for you to understand the concept better:

Put simply, Information Security takes the bigger picture and Cyber Security is just a part of its implementation methods. Since data can be stored in a PC and on the internet, information security sees to it that places, where devices containing the sensitive data are installed, are protected while coming up with robust cybersecurity plans too.

Sample Implementation on Businesses

Let’s take security camera systems, for example. We often see in movies that security cameras are being hacked and data are altered. Security patches should be used to protect the system from these kinds of manipulation. Make surer too that these patches are up-to-date to block the newest hacking types of technologies.

Now, these cameras leave a recording of the footage it captured for the past hours. If the data aren’t stored in cloud storage, but in a local PC drive, then protecting it will now require information security. One of the strategies for this can be through PC or folder passwords. The room where the whole system is set up can also be installed with security features like biometrics or hardware authentication to prevent unauthorized personnel from accessing it.

In implementing IT security, an organization should determine the sensitive information to be protected, the authorized persons who can access the information, and how to protect and access the information. Take note, though, that this information can be stolen when malware infects the system. This is where cybersecurity comes in.

Cybersecurity now uses modern technologies to wrap information with a thick layer of protection. The following methods are some of the most innovative cybersecurity methods being used these days:

·        Encryption – Encryption is a process where information is translated into cyphers. To decipher it, you will need the unique key – in the form of password or code – from the sender and run the file through an encryption algorithm to unlock the message.

·        Tokenization–Tokenization and encryption usually works together. This process generates a random string of characters that has nothing to do with the information you are sending through the internet. It only serves as a bridge that will direct you to a token vault where the real message is stored. To open the vault, you will need to go through an encryption process. Hence, tokenization is a double security measure to safeguard sensitive data.

·        User behaviour analytics–As its name suggests, this process uses AI to analyze “Big Data.” The big data refers to your behaviour on how you use a system or the internet. For instance, the way you log in, your IP address, your keystrokes and more characteristics which is unique to you. When these behaviour recorded by the system changes, you will be kicked out and banned from accessing data.

·        Secure coding–This process requires you to write a special source code for your system that’s compatible with the best security principles. This is to make sure that all of your cybersecurity measures will work.

·        Multiple authentication processes–this method is widely used now by banks. They usually ask for usernames, passwords, one-time authentication codes sent to mobile numbers, and ids or personal data like a middle name.

Of course, there are a lot more cybersecurity strategies to discuss. Among these methods, you should always consider the use of antiviruses for malware protection.We know we mentioned that it’s no longer enough, but combining it with other cybersecurity methods will give you a strong wall that any hackers can’t break.

Take antivirus as a means of warning technology. Since the software can now detect threats even before they reach your computer, you can take advantage of it to identify risks. Connect it to analytics software to create a record of sites and accounts attempting to access your system. From there, you can build a solid cybersecurity plan.

The major players in this malware protection industry include Norton, Bitdefender, McAfee, Avast, and Avira. In recent years, AV testing labs have been declaring them as the toughest antiviruses in the market. So, if you’re having a difficult time deciding which software to use in your organization, you can start with these five.

Final Thoughts

Finally, don’t forget to invest in additional IT security technologies too like biometrics locks and hardware authentication. For peace of mind, look for local services as well. For instance, if you live in Boca Raton, you’ll want to protect your business info with Boca Raton IT services. No business is safe from cybercrimes. Just look at how JP Morgan Chase, which is known to have stable security features, was hacked in 2014. In this modern world, you don’t need just a good IT security plan. You need the best IT security method implemented in your organization.

Start with installing antiviruses on all computers in your office for malware protection. Back it up with other cybersecurity strategies like encryption, tokenization, and user behaviour analytics. Finally, don’t forget to invest in additional IT security technologies too like biometrics locks and hardware authentication. Learn the cybersecurity trends and threats in 2020 so you are well aware and can get yourself well-armed.

Author’s Bio

JOHN OCAMPOS

John Ocampos is an Opera Singer by profession and a member of the PhilippineTenors. Ever since, Digital Marketing has always been his forte. He is the Founder of SEO-Guru, and the Managing Director of Tech Hacker. John is also the Strategic SEO and Influencer Marketing Manager of Softvire Australia - the leading software eCommerce company in Australia and Softvire New Zealand.

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