How information security and cybersecurity are related
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Understanding the Relationship Between Information Security and Cybersecurity
Introduction to Information Security and Cybersecurity
Information security and cybersecurity are often used interchangeably, but they encompass distinct concepts and practices. Information security primarily focuses on protecting data from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information. Cybersecurity, on the other hand, extends beyond information security to include the protection of all assets within cyberspace, such as end devices, network devices, communication media, and information systems .
Overlapping Domains: Information Security and Cybersecurity
While information security and cybersecurity have distinct scopes, they significantly overlap. Both fields aim to protect data and systems from threats and vulnerabilities. Cybersecurity relies heavily on the principles and practices of information security to safeguard information within the broader context of cyberspace. This includes ensuring that information security measures are effective and trustworthy, which is crucial for countering advanced persistent threats and exploits in cyberspace .
Cybersecurity: A Broader Perspective
Cybersecurity encompasses a wide range of practices, tools, and concepts closely related to information and operational technology (OT) security. It includes both defensive and offensive measures to protect and attack information systems, respectively. This broader perspective of cybersecurity often leads to confusion when it is used synonymously with information security, as it obscures the critical differences between these disciplines .
The Role of Trust in Cybersecurity
Trust plays a vital role in cybersecurity. Effective cybersecurity measures depend on the combined effect of robust information security practices and explicit trust verification. This ensures that the implemented security measures are operational and effective, thereby enhancing the overall security posture against cyber threats .
Human Factor in Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity also considers the human factor more comprehensively than information security. While information security typically focuses on the role of humans in the security process, cybersecurity includes the protection of individuals as potential targets of cyber attacks. This additional dimension has significant ethical implications, emphasizing the societal responsibility to protect vulnerable groups, such as children, from cyber threats.
Strategic Approaches to Cybersecurity
At a national level, cybersecurity strategies often integrate information security, OT security, and IT security to achieve comprehensive protection. For instance, the National Cybersecurity Strategy of the Republic of Croatia highlights the importance of recognizing organizational problems and broadening the understanding of cybersecurity's significance in society. Such strategies aim to enhance cyber resilience by combining cybersecurity and cyber defense measures .
Conclusion
In summary, while information security and cybersecurity are closely related, they are not entirely synonymous. Information security focuses on protecting data, whereas cybersecurity encompasses a broader range of practices to protect all assets within cyberspace. Understanding the distinctions and overlaps between these fields is crucial for developing effective security strategies and ensuring robust protection against cyber threats.
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