When it comes to protecting data, many professionals use cyber security and information security interchangeably. But in reality, there are key distinctions between these two concepts—and understanding them can dramatically improve your organisation’s overall security posture.

In today’s threat-filled landscape, combining cyber security vs information security strategies helps companies respond to both digital and physical risks, building stronger resilience across their operations.

Let’s break down the core differences, and show why both are essential—individually and together.

What Is Cyber Security?

Cyber security is the practice of defending systems, networks, and data from unauthorised digital attacks. It’s all about safeguarding electronic information.

According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), cyber security is:

“The ability to protect or defend the use of cyberspace from cyber-attacks.”

This includes protecting against:

• Phishing
• Malware
• Ransomware
• Data breaches
• Denial-of-service attacks

Cyber security focuses on three key questions:

1. What is your organisation’s critical digital data?
2. Where is that data stored?
3. What controls do you have in place to protect it?

What Is Information Security?

Information security (InfoSec) goes beyond just digital. It protects data in any form, whether digital or physical—paper files, USB drives, databases, or cloud storage.

According to ISACA, information security:

“Ensures that only authorised users have access to accurate and complete information when required.”

This is often referred to as the CIA Triad:

• Confidentiality – Keeping data away from unauthorised users
• Integrity – Ensuring data is accurate and untampered
• Availability – Making data accessible to authorised personnel when needed

So while cyber security is a subset of InfoSec focused on digital threats, information security is the umbrella discipline that protects all information assets.

Cyber Security vs Information Security: Key Differences

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Why Organisations Need Both

Relying only on one form of security leaves gaps. For example:

• Cyber security might stop a hacker, but not prevent a printed file from being stolen.
• Information security may enforce data classification but miss active digital threats.

Combining both allows an organisation to:

• Protect digital infrastructure and physical assets
• Meet regulatory requirements (especially in finance and healthcare)
• Prevent reputational damage following a breach
• Support compliance with data protection laws like GDPR or NIST guidelines

Shared Responsibilities and Overlapping Roles

Security teams today must collaborate. While cyber security staff handle firewalls, intrusion detection, and encryption, InfoSec professionals define data access policies, monitor usage, and ensure compliance.

Their collaboration is crucial for:

• Incident response plans
• Risk assessments
• Employee training
• Data classification policies

This combined approach helps ensure mission-critical data remains safe from both physical and cyber threats.

Understanding the difference between cyber security and information security is more than a terminology exercise it’s foundational for a secure business.

• Cyber security shields against digital threats.
• Information security ensures all data is safe, whether online or offline.
• Together, they provide a comprehensive defense.

In today’s world of evolving threats, a clear, integrated security strategy that includes both InfoSec and cyber security is no longer optional it’s essential.