Cybersecurity vs Information Security: What You Need to Know

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The two terms, Cybersecurity and Information Security, get tossed around a lot, especially in business and tech conversations, but they aren’t as interchangeable as people think. If you’re a business owner, manager, or someone who simply wants to better protect your company’s data, it’s important to know what sets them apart.

Let’s walk through what each one really means — no jargon, no fluff — so you can start making smarter decisions about your organization’s security.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is all about protecting devices and systems that are connected to the internet. That includes your:

• Company networks
• Cloud platforms
• Web servers
• Desktop and laptop computers
• Smartphones and tablets
• Anything else that communicates online

It focuses on blocking threats like:

• Hackers trying to break into your systems
• Viruses and malware that can steal or destroy data
• Ransomware that locks up your files and demands payment
• Phishing attacks that trick users into giving up sensitive info

Cybersecurity is like setting up guards at every door and window of a building. It keeps intruders out and stops attacks before they can cause harm. It also monitors what’s happening inside the system, so if something does go wrong, it can respond quickly.

Information Security

Information security , or infosec , is a broader concept. It’s about protecting data , no matter where it’s stored or what form it’s in.

That includes:

• Digital files
• Paper records
• Verbal conversations
• Emails and texts
• Internal reports, client details, passwords, financial info — everything

Information security asks important questions like:

• Who’s allowed to access this information?
• Who can change it, share it, or delete it?
• How is it being stored — securely or not?
• Are we following rules and laws about keeping this kind of data safe?

It’s not just about stopping outside threats like hackers. It’s also about making sure only the right people inside your company can access important data.

For example, should an intern have access to payroll information? Probably not. Infosec makes sure things like that are handled correctly.

So, while cybersecurity is about protecting the tools and systems, information security is about protecting what those tools are used for — your data.

Cybersecurity vs Information Security

Both information security (infosec) and cybersecurity aim to protect. But what they protect and how they protect it is where things split.

• Information Security is about safeguarding data — no matter where it lives or what form it takes. That could be a customer’s credit card number stored in a server, a printed employee record in a locked cabinet, or a verbal password overheard in a meeting.
• Cybersecurity , on the other hand, focuses specifically on protecting systems, networks, and devices from digital attacks. It covers everything that’s connected — computers, smartphones, cloud apps, servers, Wi-Fi routers, you name it.

So while both disciplines work toward keeping your business secure, they zoom in on different parts of the puzzle.

A Quick Analogy to Make It Click

Imagine your company’s data is treasure.

• Information security is the entire security setup — guards, safes, locked drawers, access lists. It doesn’t care whether the treasure is stored digitally or physically — it just wants to protect it.
• Cybersecurity is like the alarm system on the building and the encryption on your digital vault. It’s concerned with stopping thieves from getting in through digital doors — hackers, malware, phishing, ransomware.

Together, they form a complete defense strategy. Alone, each has gaps.

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How They Overlap in the Real World

Because most data today is digital or accessed through internet-connected devices, infosec and cybersecurity often go hand in hand.

Let’s look at a few real-world examples:

• You install a firewall to prevent unauthorized access to customer records stored in the cloud.
  — That’s both cybersecurity (protecting the system) and information security (protecting the data).
• You set up password policies and multi-factor authentication on your staff laptops.
  — That’s cybersecurity, but also supports information security by limiting who can access what.
• You lock physical HR files in a cabinet and restrict key access to senior staff.
  — That’s information security , but not cybersecurity — since no tech system is involved.

So, if it’s about data, it’s information security. If it’s about digital systems, it’s cybersecurity. And most of the time, they’re working side by side.

Is One a Subset of the Other?

Here’s a common question: “Is information security part of cybersecurity?”

Actually, it’s more accurate to say the opposite — that cybersecurity is a subset of information security.

Why? Because information security covers all information , no matter where it’s stored or how it’s used. Cybersecurity focuses only on digital information and the systems that process or store it.

In fact, almost every act of cybersecurity is a form of information security. But not every act of information security involves cybersecurity.

A DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack that takes down your website doesn’t necessarily aim to steal data — but it’s still a cybersecurity issue, because it targets your systems.

Why It Matters: Regulatory Compliance and Business Risk

If you overlook either discipline, you could be opening your organization up to serious consequences — especially when it comes to regulatory compliance.

Different industries and regions have strict standards that require both cybersecurity and information security controls. If you’re not following them, you could face:

• Heavy fines
• Loss of customer trust
• Legal action
• Business disruption
• Difficulty forming partnerships

Here are a few major frameworks you might need to follow:

• PCI DSS : If you process or handle payment card data.
• GDPR : If you serve anyone in the European Union or collect their data.
• HIPAA : If you work with patient health information in the U.S.
• SOC 2 / ISO 27001 : If you want to prove to partners and clients that your data handling practices are secure.

Each of these touches on both data protection and system protection , making infosec and cybersecurity equally critical.

Where to Start: Getting Help With Security & Compliance

Security can be overwhelming — especially if you don’t have a full-time IT or compliance team. The good news is that tools exist to help simplify the process.

Our platform, SecureSlate, automates parts of the compliance journey. This can scan your systems for gaps, measure your readiness for frameworks like HIPAA or GDPR, and guide you step-by-step through fixing any issues.

This saves time, lowers stress, and helps you stay compliant without hiring a team of auditors.

Conclusion

While cybersecurity and information security are distinct, they are also deeply intertwined. Cybersecurity provides the defenses for the digital realm, protecting the systems and infrastructure upon which data relies. Information security ensures that the data itself, in all its forms, is handled with the appropriate safeguards.

Both are indispensable for any organization seeking to maintain its operations, protect its reputation, and ensure the trust of its stakeholders in an increasingly interconnected and threat-filled world. A holistic approach that integrates both is not just best practice, but essential for survival and success.

Ready to Streamline Compliance?

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