February 15, 2022
The difference between cyber security and information security
For businesses operating in the age of the internet, having a safe digital environment is critical. A tech outage can have significant consequences for employee productivity and corporate operations. When it comes to cyber security and information security, managing a complex digital ecosystem necessitates being proactive.
Hackers know how to exploit common vulnerabilities, so it's important for security professionals to understand what these distinct security branches entail in order to detect weaknesses and stay ahead of cyber threats.
Data stored on computers is never completely secure. As the number of devices and networks used by businesses grows, data security becomes more sensitive. Cyber security and information security are becoming increasingly important in all industries that rely on the internet for business operations and communications.
Information security and cyber security are both critical to the safety of computer systems. One of our missions as a leader in corporate connectivity and digital solutions is to assist businesses in effectively securing their networks and data from cyber-attacks. So what’s the difference between cyber security and information security?
Cyber security
Protecting networks, servers, computers and other digital systems from malicious attacks is the goal of cyber security. There are numerous types of cyber attacks. Ransomware or a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack, for example, might make businesses vulnerable to financial threats. When cybercriminals launch a DDoS attack, a company's network is inundated with fake traffic. As a result, the network becomes overloaded and eventually crashes.
Another strategy used by hackers to jeopardise corporate operations is infecting computer systems and networks with viruses (e.g. malware, trojans, adware, and spyware). As people become more reliant on digital systems, cyber attacks become more common. The rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) has paved the way for unprecedented cyber attacks.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are advancing at a rapid pace, increasing the risk of cyber crime. As automation replaces manual input, companies have less control over their systems. Since certain systems are still in their infancy, hackers have an easier time infiltrating them as businesses wait for security patches and updates.
Businesses must develop security policies that include every component of their network, not only computers and other devices. Attacks can put a halt to a company's operations, resulting in lost productivity and revenue. It is crucial for businesses to invest more in cyber security than ever before in order to reduce the risk of attacks and facilitate disaster recovery in the event of a cyber attack.
Information security
The protection of data from unauthorised access or modification is the objective of information security. Information security refers to the protection of both digital and non-digital data.
There is a lot of valuable information stored on the cloud. Confidential data is vulnerable to security threats while it is stored or transferred. Companies should be responsible for the information they store about their employees and customers. If personal information is leaked or tampered with, businesses may face heavy fines or penalties in many countries.
Data confidentiality is the focus of information security. It also covers how to safeguard information integrity. In other words, a breach in information security occurs when data is incorrectly modified or tampered with. The availability of information is the third branch of information security. Information must be accessible by authorised personnel at all times to ensure that the company's information security processes aren't compromised.
Hackers can track and monitor data without the knowledge of companies. Research and development (R&D) data, important research findings, business strategies and marketing plans can all be monitored by cyber criminals. Cyber espionage is one of the most serious risks to a company's information security because selling this information to competitors may be extremely detrimental.
Businesses need robust security protocols
Implementing robust and effective digital security measures for businesses is crucial in preventing the issues associated with cyber security and information security. Keeping operating systems and software up-to-date is the first step to ensuring the latest security updates are in place. A clear plan for updating systems and hardware on a regular basis can go a long way toward assuring a business's digital security.
A risk assessment of the most significant vulnerabilities can assist security professionals in determining what a company should prioritise in terms of cyber and information security. After that, policies and plans must be created to guarantee that all employees understand the parameters of how to interact with the company's networks and computer systems. An email policy might, for example, prohibit employees from using personal email accounts on company computers, monitor emails for high-risk attachments, and block employees from opening files from unknown senders.
Companies can implement internet usage policies that limit internet use to business-related objectives only, track internet usage and block access to harmful websites. Multi-factor authentication, USB stick encryption and password usage constraints are all examples of system-use policies.
Due to a scarcity of cyber security professionals, more businesses are relying on hosted security to keep their networks and devices operational at all times. SEACOM Business offers a wide variety of security services to businesses. For more information or to get a quote for these IT security solutions, email us at marketing@seacom.com or leave us a message.
SEACOM owns Africa’s largest network of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure, including fibre optic networks and subsea cables. We offer a wide range of industry-leading scalable ICT solutions for large companies that operate throughout the region.
SEACOM is privately owned - making it adaptable to the needs of the client. We are the preferred ICT and internet connectivity supplier for African enterprises. We can guarantee fast, reliable and secure internet and networking services at affordable prices.
For more information on these solutions, follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter. Keep an eye on our news section for industry news and announcements on African ICT, internet connectivity, cloud services and security solutions.