Cyber Security Vs. Information Assurance
What's the Difference Between the Two?
The majority of references to cyber security and information assurance in pop culture get the two mixed up, to the point where many people believe both the terms mean the same thing. The truth is, cyber security and information assurance are two separate fields that contain some similarities but also major differences. Let's take a closer look at both fields, and what it means to belong to either of them.
What is Cyber Security?
This field places its focus on preventing and defending against cyber attacks that seek to damage digital devices and their networks. The main work in cybersecurity is that of risk assessment and management. Potential threats to computer networks are analyzed and evaluated to determine the level of threat they pose. Preventing cyber attacks is an important part of a cyber security expert's work. To this end, firewalls are designed to keep viruses and malware out of digital systems. If all else fails and the system gets infected, the security expert needs to go into the deepest recesses of the network to locate and eliminate the virus.
The work of a cyber security expert is quite technically complex, and requires a bachelor's degree in cyber security, computer science, or information technology. A cybersecurity degree in particular is of great use in this field. It teaches students about computer security issues and the best practices to keep digital networks clean. Roles in this field include information systems security professional, system administrator, and system manager.
What is Information Assurance?
This field of work has been around a lot longer than cybersecurity, and has a broader focus. Information assurance deals with the protection of both digital and non-digital information, including not just the data stored in a computer but also hard copy records. The main job of an information assurance manager is to make sure that the information framework within a particular organization performs according to expectations, so that the information is kept secure from non-authorized personnel.
The specialization that goes into becoming a part of this field requires many of the same qualifications as that of a cyber security expert. This is because today the majority of information relating to an organization is kept online, and paper records are fast becoming obsolete. In addition to cybersecurity skills, information assurance students also study cryptography, data analysis, and data protection. Roles in this field can range from manager, analyst to consultant working for one or multiple companies.
What do they have in Common?
Both these fields require a thorough understanding of security issues and the technology that goes into protecting information. There is some overlap between the two fields, but the job of a cyber security expert includes many responsibilities that are quite different from that of an information assurance manager. Understanding their similarities and differences can help a student better understand what skills each field requires, and which of the two fields would be better suited to their talent.
Similarities between Cybersecurity and Information Assurance
1. Both have a physical security component to their scope. In the old days, physical records of sensitive information needed to be protected by the information assurance managers. Today, the computers, server rooms, and entire buildings containing digital information need to be guarded, and this responsibility falls to both cybersecurity experts, who determine who has access to those places using digital ID verification, and information assurance managers.
2. Both fields take the value of the data into consideration. Data carried by an organization is prioritized based on its level of importance, and the more important data gets, the more layers of security are required.
Differences between Cybersecurity and Information Assurance
Information assurance has a broader scope in terms of the duties and responsibilities of the professionals in this field. Information assurance was already an established profession before the internet came into existence. The work done by Information assurance managers includes, but is not limited to, cybersecurity.
Information assurance is more strategic in nature, and deals with the creation of policies for keeping information secure. On the other hand, cybersecurity deals more with the practical reality of setting up antivirus software and network infrastructure for keeping digital information safe.
Information assurance is focused on risk management by studying cases of past attacks and coming up with new guidelines for keeping information secure. Cybersecurity deals with preventing virus infection in the first place by setting up stronger network architecture.
Also, information assurance managers and analysts have to conduct regular security audits and bring every member of the organization up-to-date on the company policies regarding information sharing. A cybersecurity expert, on the other hand, focuses on improving the programs used by members of the organization to ensure greater information security.
If you’re ready to take the next step towards a future in cyber security, earning a Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Science with a Major in Cyber and Network Security - Cybersecurity Track could be the foundation you need. ECPI University offers accelerated courses and year-round classes, giving students the opportunity to graduate sooner and get into the field faster. For more information, contact a helpful admissions counselor today.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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