Information Security vs Cyber Security: What’s the Difference, Why Does It Matter?

Do we have $10.5 trillion in our banks? To put it in perspective, that’s nearly 10% of the global GDP—or about 10% of the world’s financial reserves held in banks. That’s the projected number for the cost of cybercrime by 2025, a couple of months from the day of writing this article! 

The line between protecting information and defending your organization against cyber attacks often blurs. And yet, when the terms “Information Security” and “Cybersecurity” are tossed around, their differences—and the stakes tied to them—are often misunderstood.

Understanding “Information security vs Cybersecurity” is not just about the semantics, it’s about strategy. The difference lies in approach: a reactive firewall focuses on defending against immediate threats, while a proactive security culture emphasizes anticipating risks, educating stakeholders, and embedding security into every process from the ground up

TL;DR 

Information security, or infosec, centers on safeguarding data in any form—digital, physical, or written—by ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Whereas Cybersecurity specifically targets protecting digital systems, networks, and data from cyber threats like hacking or phishing

Operationally, infosec relies on broader data management frameworks and policies, while cybersecurity employs technical measures such as firewalls, intrusion detection, and endpoint protection.

A strong infosec program prevents data breaches of any kind, whereas robust cybersecurity defends against digital attacks that could cripple operations.

What is cyber security? 

Simply described, cyber security is the discipline of defending your digital infrastructure from any type of online danger, attack, or vulnerability, whether within or outside of your network. Cybersecurity achieves this by combining people, processes, and technology. All actions taken to secure your organization’s network and security architecture are considered cybersecurity practices. 

The concept of mitigation is essential to cybersecurity. This involves protecting personal information, avoiding disruptions to corporate operations, and meeting legal standards. Whether it’s preventing phishing attacks, guarding against ransomware, or guaranteeing safe access to your systems, cybersecurity is tailored to the specific risks that come with this digital world. 

For you, this includes reducing vulnerabilities through steps like multi-factor authentication, regular software updates, data encryption, and employee training. Cybersecurity is not only for security personnel; it is a shared duty that affects all levels of an organization. 

What is information security? 

Unlike cyber security, which is specifically concerned with protecting digital environments, InfoSec takes a broader view. It includes physical security measures, such as protecting servers and filing cabinets, as well as security policies like data classification, security controls, and incident response plans. 

Information Security, or InfoSec, is the practice of protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. It focuses on safeguarding data in all its forms—whether it’s stored digitally, transmitted across networks, or written on paper.

Infosec focuses on three main principles (often abbreviated as the CIA triad);

1. Confidentiality
2. Integrity
3. Availability 

While both practices share the common goal of safeguarding data and building organizational resilience, they differ in several key aspects that set them apart.

Information security vs cyber security 

Information security and cybersecurity are often used interchangeably, but they are distinct disciplines within the broader realm of protecting organizational assets.

While both contribute to safeguarding data and minimizing risk, their areas of focus and the threats they address can differ significantly.

Goal	Information security	Cybersecurity
Definition	Aims to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of all organizational data.	Seeks to prevent, detect, and respond to cyberattacks targeting digital infrastructure.
Scope	It focuses on protecting all types of information, including physical, digital, and textual data.	Focuses on safeguarding security systems, networks, and data from cyber threats like hacking, malware, and phishing.
Key principles	Built on the principles of confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CIA triad),  focusing on protecting data and assets from vulnerabilities—both internal and external	Cybersecurity, on the other hand, emphasizes defending against external threats like hacking, phishing, and malware, prioritizing data privacy, threat detection, and incident response.
Threats addressed	Addresses threats such as unauthorized access, data breaches, and insider risks across all data formats.	Deals with specific cyber threats like ransomware, phishing, denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, and hacking.
Focus areas	Focuses on areas like information classification, access control policies, and encryption.	Covers network security, endpoint protection, firewalls, and real-time threat intelligence.
Tools	Utilizes tools like data encryption, secure storage, and identity and access management systems.	Employs solutions like firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and antivirus software for digital defense.
Compliance framework	Ensures compliance with standards such as ISO 27001, GDPR, and HIPAA.	Aligns with frameworks like the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, PCI DSS, and CCPA.
Incident focus	Prepares organizations to handle data breaches, data loss, and insider threats.	Focuses on mitigating real-time digital attacks and cyber incidents.
Human element	Includes employee training, physical security protocols, and internal data access governance.	Emphasizes cybersecurity awareness training, phishing simulations, and endpoint protection for users.

How cybersecurity and information security work together to protect your organization

Cybersecurity and information security operate in tandem, often blurring the lines in their collective effort to shield organizations from threats. While their scopes differ, their objectives frequently overlap—protecting sensitive data, preserving operational integrity, and minimizing risk exposure. The difference isn’t so much about goals as it is about the approach and areas of focus.

Protecting sensitive information 

At their core, both cybersecurity and information security are driven by one fundamental mission—protecting sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands. Whether that information exists as data in transit across networks, digital files stored in the cloud, or confidential documents locked away in physical form, the goal is the same—maintaining confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Where cybersecurity zeroes in on defending digital environments from external threats, information security expands the scope to cover everything from network infrastructure to physical assets. 

Focus on risk management 

Risk management is at the heart of both cybersecurity and information security. This isn’t about reactive firefighting—it’s about embedding risk assessment into day-to-day operations. From cybersecurity frameworks to organizational security policies, the emphasis is on identifying potential vulnerabilities before they escalate.

The shared tools of the trade include:

• Comprehensive risk assessments that evaluate external and internal threats.
• Penetration testing and red team exercises to simulate attack scenarios.
• Mitigation strategies that address vulnerabilities while keeping operations fluid.

Compliance with regulatory standards

Cybersecurity and information security strive to achieve compliance with regulatory standards such as GDPR, ISO 27001, and HIPAA. Both fields aim to ensure that organizational practices are in line with legal and industry-specific security requirements.

Where cybersecurity ensures the technical safeguards are in place to meet these standards, information security introduces the governance, policies, and procedural guardrails that create a culture of accountability. The two areas complement each other, ensuring that compliance is more than skin deep.

Use of security principles 

The CIA triad—Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability— serves as the foundation for both disciplines. This model underpins virtually every security decision, regardless of whether the focus is on physical record-keeping or digital network protection.

For example, while a cybersecurity team might implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) and encryption to protect digital records, information security may focus on physical access restrictions and surveillance systems to protect sensitive paper documents.

Proactive nature against threats

Security, in both forms, is not about waiting for incidents to happen. Reactive strategies—while necessary in certain contexts—are not sustainable long-term. Instead, the focus is on continuous monitoring, preemptive threat hunting, and rigorous audits.

Support for organizational resilience

Cybersecurity plays a role in deflecting or containing external threats, while information security ensures that business continuity plans, disaster recovery protocols, and failover systems are in place. This dual focus guarantees that, whether facing a ransomware attack or a physical breach, the organization can maintain operations with minimal fallout.

Dependence on policies and procedures 

Strong governance is the unsung hero of effective security. In both disciplines, well-documented policies provide clarity and structure, ensuring that everyone—regardless of role—understands their responsibilities.

Overlap in tools and technology 

There’s considerable overlap in the tools used across cybersecurity and information security. Firewalls, encryption, identity and access management (IAM), and endpoint detection technologies serve both fields.

The difference lies in application:

• Firewalls may be used by cybersecurity teams to prevent external intrusions, while information security may use them to restrict internal data access.
• Encryption might secure communications for cybersecurity, while in information security, it’s often applied to data at rest.

Speaking of tools and technology, Sprinto stands out as a comprehensive solution designed to simplify and strengthen your security posture.

Sprinto; your infosec and cybersec ally 

Sprinto takes the headache out of meeting cybersecurity standards like ISO 27001, SOC 2, and NIST by automating the setup and tracking of your controls. No more juggling spreadsheets or scrambling to prove compliance—it’s all handled for you.

By seamlessly integrating with your cloud systems, Sprinto identifies vulnerabilities in real time, enforces critical controls, and ensures continuous monitoring. 

Audits often mean long hours and countless documents, but Sprinto changes that. The platform collects and organizes evidence automatically, keeping you prepared for any audit without the usual stress and last-minute scrambles.

Sprinto pairs you with a team of compliance professionals who help tailor your security approach. Whether it’s implementing controls or navigating unique challenges, you get expert advice at every step.

By proactively mapping risks and controls, Sprinto enables quicker, more effective responses to cybersecurity incidents, minimizing disruptions and strengthening your overall security posture.

Book a call to know more! 

Frequently Asked Questions

How does information security differ from cybersecurity in preventing security incidents?

Information security focuses on protecting all types of information, whether stored digitally, transmitted, or in physical form, by implementing policies, encryption, and access controls. Cybersecurity, on the other hand, deals specifically with preventing and mitigating security incidents in digital environments, such as unauthorized access, hacking, and malware attacks.

Can a security breach impact both information security and cybersecurity?

Yes, a security breach can affect both disciplines. For example, a stolen laptop with sensitive data impacts information security, while a compromised network through phishing targets cybersecurity. Both fields work together to minimize the damage from such breaches.

What role do information security and cybersecurity play in disaster recovery?

Information security ensures that critical data is protected, backed up, and recoverable in the event of a disaster, minimizing downtime and data loss. Cybersecurity complements this by securing digital systems against further vulnerabilities or attacks during the recovery process, ensuring a safe and efficient restoration of operations.