We have all received those unsolicited emails with the panic-inducing subject lines like, “Beware Of The Cybersecurity Threat” or the seemingly helpful sales gimmicks such as, “Information Security: Achieve Peace Of Mind Today!” Information security and cybersecurity are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but there are some important distinctions to be noted between them. Understanding the nuances of the data landscape could mean a world of difference for you and your business.
Information Security and Cybersecurity Defined
Information Security: Protects digital and/or physical information from unauthorized access, use, disruption, modification, or destruction.
Cyber Security: Protects networks, computers, programs, and other data from compromise, damage, or unauthorized access.
Where Cyber Security and Information Security Overlap
Information security and cybersecurity are similar in a few key areas. Both concepts focus on protecting information from unauthorized access or usage. Both fields are primarily concerned with the protection of valuable data. Experts in the field must have a solid understanding of what information is most valuable to both the owner and to the potential perpetrator. This critical knowledge leads to safer and more successful methods of security.
Differences Between Information Security and Cyber Security
While information security occasionally overlaps with cybersecurity, there are some important differences between the two. Information security is a bit broader of a term, referring to the protection of data in various forms and environments. According to Cisco, it’s “a crucial part of cybersecurity, but it refers exclusively to the processes designed for data security.” Information security methods can range all the way from a locked filing cabinet to a password-protected flash drive to an encrypted cloud server.
Cybersecurity is actually a subset of information security, referring to the protection of data that is stored digitally. With the explosion of cloud storage in recent years, digital security has become paramount for most businesses.
Somewhat surprisingly, it’s possible to have a career in Information Security and go for several months without working on computers. In some companies, information security and cybersecurity teams work very closely together. Typically one team evaluates data and analyzes risk, while another team develops the strategies to best execute solutions.
Interesting Examples of Information Security
Cybercrime statistics and examples are easy to find, but it does not always end there. Don’t underestimate the ambition or creativity of bad actors looking to steal information. When considering your data protection options, remember that threats exist in several forms–some of which may not be malicious. Are you prepared to eliminate or at least mitigate these threats, which could potentially save your business valuable time and money?
Common Examples of Potential Information Security Breaches Remember, not all data is stored digitally. Threats to data are all around, such as the examples listed below.
● Power outages
Power outages occur for any number of reasons; weather, power surge, a city-wide blackout, and more. Regardless of why the power is out, the fact remains that your network could be at risk. Safeguard your data by ensuring you have a plan, test, and backup regularly.
● Internal breach
According to experts, insiders pose the biggest threat to security. They have the access and the knowledge to inflict severe damage. Disgruntled or recently terminated employees may have access to sensitive information and believe they have reason to use it inappropriately.
● Human error
By employing human beings, many companies run the risk of suffering the consequences of a user mistake. A misconfigured server, clicking on a malicious link, or loss of a device are all innocent mistakes that could be devastating to a company.
Common Examples of Potential Cybersecurity Breaches
Bad actors can use hundreds, if not thousands of methods to hijack your data. Some of the most common types of cybersecurity breaches include:
● Network Hack
In its simplest sense, network hacks refer to unauthorized access to a computer or network. Common hacking techniques include password cracking, viruses, spoof sites that mimic authentic sites, and keylogging tools designed to record a user’s keystrokes.
● Denial of Service Attacks
A denial of service(DoS) attack floods a website or application with so much traffic, that it’s no longer accessible to users. DoS attacks can be used to extort money, to shut down competition, or a multitude of other reasons.
● SQL Injection Attack
SQL is a programming language that’s used to communicate with databases. A SQL injection attack identifies vulnerabilities in servers that use the language, then manipulates the code to get the servers to divulge information such as credit card information or user logins.
Sanity Solutions Approach to Data Security Solutions
Our mission at Sanity Solutions is to provide clients with the most innovative methods to keep your data available and protected while informing you of the latest trends in Cybersecurity and Information Security. Speak with a Sanity Solutions expert today to learn more about recognizing potential threats to your data, and how to protect your business from bad actors.
