“IT security vs cybersecurity” is a popular search as data breaches have become more common across all business sizes and types. During the previous decade, small to medium-sized businesses didn’t worry as much about cybersecurity. Hackers traditionally went after large organizations. Formerly, IT security mostly meant ensuring no one could log into the local area network without permission. Businesses felt confident they were safely maintaining privacy and security information as required by law. With security threats, IT security has grown to include cybersecurity and information security. This post will discuss IT security and common threats to it.
What is IT Security, Cybersecurity, and Information Security?
What is IT security? Information Technology (IT) security is the umbrella under which other tech security types fall. It involves protecting information technology, including hardware, software, and the network(s)—whether they be physical or cloud-based.
What is cybersecurity? Cybersecurity protects networks, devices, and internet-based data against unauthorized access or criminal use. Cybersecurity is an essential part of operating a business with so much company data in the cloud, including networks and servers.
What is information security? Information security protects information and information systems from unauthorized access. It will encompass information disclosure, corruption, modification, or destruction.
What is the difference between cybersecurity and information security? Information security focuses on protecting information and information systems in the company’s infrastructure from those who don’t have permission to access it. While cybersecurity focuses on threats from cyberspace, information security focuses on any threat to information, analog or digital.
What are the three 3 types of cyber threats? While more than three types of cyber threats exist, the most common are DDoS attacks, ransomware and phishing.
- DDoS stands for distributed denial of service. An attacker or attackers take over many machines or devices (e.g., computers and other networked resources such as IoT devices) and use them to overload a system (e.g., your website, service, or network), causing it to crash. By preventing traffic, DDoS attackers can essentially hold your system hostage for the duration of the attack. While usually temporary, this blow can have lasting damage to your reputation and customer retention.
- Ransomware is a type of malware. Malware is software deliberately fashioned to corrupt a computer, server, or company network. It is downloadable data that infects your computer to leak personal data and damage the performance of your device or company network. Ransomware is malware that is designed to block the user from their system until a ransom fee is paid. While malware such as viruses, Trojan horses, worms, and spyware can steal your data, ransomware attacks hold your data hostage in return for a payoff. Since 2019, malware attacks have increased and evolved. Today, half of the successful malware attacks inevitably infect twenty or more network devices. It is worth noting that paying the ransomware fee does not guarantee the safe return of your data.
- Phishing is a technique by which the attacker masquerades as a legitimate business or reputable person to attempt to acquire sensitive data, such as bank account numbers, through a fraudulent solicitation in an email or on a website. Though more people are aware of this strategy, false identities continue to be an effective method for scam artists. Phishing scams often frame themselves as a friend, bank, or company needing financial support. Phishing groups will attempt to persuade you to provide personal banking information or wire funds. Remember that banks never ask you to disclose personal account information like this. If you ever have doubts, contact the source directly to confirm.
IT security vs cybersecurity? The answer to protecting your company data and infrastructure is to take a holistic approach. Secure, monitor and maintain both internal and external networks and digital and analog assets. Knowing where to start can be challenging. Find out where your risk lies. Get a risk assessment from eMPiGO today.