Cybersecurity and information assurance. What are the differences between the two? Or do they even have anything in common?
But do you know the meaning of each one? Do you know what each term means?
In the modern world today, there are a lot of new terms rising. But sometimes, it has been around for a long time. But it just adapts to changes.
So, what is cybersecurity? How about information assurance?
Let us dig deeper into that in this article.
Cybersecurity and Information Assurance
What is Cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity means the use of:
- technologies
- processes
- practices
With its aim to protect:
- networks
- devices
- programs
- data
From what? From any of these:
- attack
- damage
- unauthorized access
Also, from cybercriminals that have their eyes on sensitive information and wants to:
- access it
- change it
- destroy it
- extort money from users
- disrupt the normal business
Further, there are a lot of data breaches happening today. So many that only big ones only get to the headlines.
Also, cybersecurity is a newer field versus information assurance. But it is rising so fast due to companies seeing its worth.
What is Information Assurance?
Securing information dates back to thousands of years. When people needed to keep secrets. But the modern take of information assurance is new.
Over the years, its meaning was slowly changing. Before, it meant keeping sensitive physical files in a vault.
But as the use of technology rises, it now means also keeping sensitive digital files safe and secure.
Another way to define this is to ensure that all information systems will perform as needed. When needed. And they keep being accessible to those you should.
So, how are they the same? But how do they differ?
Cybersecurity and Information Assurance: Similar or Not?
Cybersecurity is a subset of information security (Infosec). While Infosec is a sub-area of information assurance.
So, here is a summary for both:
Cybersecurity
- A new field that keeps up with new techs, threats, and tactics
- Focus on keeping digital information safe and manage risks
- Also keeps systems safe (IoT devices, etc.)
- Lots of tools and strategies (user education, firewalls, anti-virus, etc.)
- Threats are from cyberspace
Information Assurance
- A traditional field even before the digital age
- Focus on strategy and keep both digital and physical information safe
- Keeps all forms of information systems and assets safe
- Lots of tools and strategies (firewalls, locked file cabinets, paper shredders, etc.)
- Threats are from cyberspace and on-premise unauthorized access
Last Words
So, here are how each one of them differs. Yes, they have a lot of common areas. Like protecting cyberspace. Also, keeping all data safe.
But what do you think? Can you do only one of them? Or no? Can your company do well with only one of them?
The answer is not. You cannot. Of course, you still have physical files. And yes, you may have more digital ones.
But you need to keep each one safe. So, ensure you assign a person for each area. With this, you can feel confident.
