[Blog](/blog) Show links Resources [Blog](/blog) [Breaches](/breaches) [eBooks, reports, & more](/resources) [Events](/events) [News](/news) [Cybersecurity](/category/cybersecurity) Show links Categories [Attack Surface Management](/category/attack-surface-management) [Company News](/category/company-news) [Compliance and Regulations](/category/compliance-and-regulations) [Cybersecurity](/category/cybersecurity) [Data Breaches](/category/data-breaches) [DevOps](/category/devops) [Human Cyber Risk](/category/human-cyber-risk) [Risks and Vulnerabilities](/category/risks-and-vulnerabilities) [Third-Party Risk Management](/category/third-party-risk-management) [Vendor Risk Management](/category/vendor-risk-management) [Cybersecurity Vs. Information Security: What's the Difference?](/blog/cyber-security-information-security) Publish date October 18, 2026 {x} minute read # Cybersecurity Vs. Information Security: What's the Difference? [Get a demo](/contact-sales) [Free trial](/demo) [Download the PDF guide](/resources/complete-guide-to-cybersecurity) [Free trial](/demo) Written by [Abi Tyas Tunggal](/team/abi-tyas-tunggal) Writer and Senior Product Manager at UpGuard. Abi's work has influenced leaders across cybersecurity, technology, and financial services. Reviewed by [Kaushik Sen](/team/kaushik-sen) Chief Marketing Officer Kaushik has a background in software engineering, enterprise solution architecture, and data analytics. He brings a unique, data-driven perspective to cybersecurity education. Table of contents eBook A Complete Guide to Cybersecurity Free resource ### A Complete Guide to Cybersecurity Learn how to protect your business with an effective cybsecurity program. [Download now](/resources/complete-guide-to-cybersecurity) Businesses are relying more on computer systems, strengthening the link between [cybersecurity](https://www.upguard.com/blog/cyber-security) and [information security](https://www.upguard.com/blog/information-security) but there are key differences that need to be understood as part of best-in-class [information risk management](https://www.upguard.com/blog/information-risk-management). To learn about the differences between these two terms, and how to correctly leverage their processes to strengthen sensitive data security, read on. The business case underneath both terms is [why cybersecurity is important](https://www.upguard.com/blog/cybersecurity-important). ## Cybersecurity Vs. Information Security Cybersecurity is concerned with protecting electronic devices and mobile devices against attacks in cyberspace. [Information security (Info Sec)](https://www.upguard.com/blog/information-security) is concerned with protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information. Cybersecurity deals with the prevention of [ransomware attacks](https://www.upguard.com/blog/ransomware) and [spyware](https://www.upguard.com/blog/spyware) injections and social media compromise. An example of an information security controls are [intrusion detection systems](https://www.upguard.com/blog/prevent-supply-chain-attacks-with-honeytokens) and firewalls. The job of an information security officer is to understand and identify what confidential information is critical or could be the target of a physical or [cyber attack](https://www.upguard.com/blog/cyber-attack). It's becoming increasingly common for the majority of business data and [sensitive information](https://www.upguard.com/blog/sensitive-data) to be sitting on a cloud provider like an [AWS S3 bucket](https://www.upguard.com/blog/s3-security-is-flawed-by-design), laptop or somewhere else on the Internet. But a decade ago the majority of sensitive information was sitting in an office filing cabinet. This is where information security professionals originate from, physically securing data from unauthorized access by implementing [access controls](https://www.upguard.com/blog/access-control). [Cybersecurity](https://www.upguard.com/blog/is-cybersecurity-hard) can also be described as a process of preventing [cyberattacks](https://www.upguard.com/blog/cyber-attack) by assuming a hacker's mindset, while information security focuses on protecting data from threats. ## The Parallels Between Information Security and Cyber Security Cybersecurity and information security are fundamental to [information risk management](https://www.upguard.com/blog/information-risk-management). And while cyber security professionals are largely concerned with securing electronic data from [cyber threats](https://www.upguard.com/blog/cyber-threat) and [data breaches](https://www.upguard.com/blog/data-breach), there are still forms of physical security in their job description. Just as information security professionals lock a cabinet full of [personal information](https://www.upguard.com/blog/personally-identifiable-information-pii), cyber security professionals need physical security measures to ensure adequate data protection. You can't physically lock a laptop, but you can have security systems in place (like a keycard to get into an office) to prevent unauthorized access in the first place. Regardless of how your information is stored, your organization needs adequate security controls in place to prevent unauthorized access. If you don't, your organization is an easy target for cybercrime and physical security breaches. ## Information Value is a Fundamental Part of the Equation As we alluded to at the start of this post, not all data is as valuable as others just like the difference in value of physical goods. Cybercriminals would rather steal personal information than the event data of a web page. Different information systems have different value and it's important to understand what to prioritize in any security program. Measuring [cybersecurity risk](https://www.upguard.com/blog/cybersecurity-risk) means understanding the threats, vulnerabilities and value of an electric information asset. This is where an Info Sec professional can help a cyber security professional understand how to prioritize the protection of information while the cyber security professional can determine how to implement IT security. ## The Evolution of Cybersecurity As businesses become more reliant on computer systems and the [impact of potential data breaches](https://www.upguard.com/blog/biggest-data-breaches) increases. The role of the Info Sec professional is quickly becoming a key part of the cyber security professional's role who traditionally had to understand computer security, [network security](https://blog.contactout.com/2020/05/29/cybersecurity-do-these-7-things-to-keep-your-networks-secure-from-hackers/), malware, [phishing](https://www.upguard.com/blog/phishing) and other cyber threats but weren't necessarily taught the skills of data evaluation in their computer science, information technology or cyber security degree. [Confidentiality, integrity and availability (CIA triad)](https://www.upguard.com/blog/cia-triad) may not necessarily be terms cyber security professionals are familiar with but they are part of any good [information security policy](https://www.upguard.com/blog/information-security-policy). A key part of cyber security is understanding a subset of information security. Organizations are increasingly looking to secure information, manage [cyber risk](https://www.upguard.com/blog/cybersecurity-risk), ensure non-repudiation (someone cannot deny an action taken within an information system because the system provides proof of the action), and proper [incident response](https://www.upguard.com/blog/incident-response-plan) to [data breaches](https://www.upguard.com/breaches) and other cybercrimes. ## Final Thoughts Cybersecurity and information security are continuously evolving. Security teams need to understand the key question: what is our most critical data and how do we protect it? ## How UpGuard Can Help Protect Your Most Sensitive Information UpGuard continuously monitors your entire attack surface to discover and mitigate risks exposing sensitive data. This functionality extends to the entire [vendor network](https://www.upguard.com/blog/third-party-vendor), minimizing the risk of third-party breaches and [supply chain attacks](https://www.upguard.com/blog/supply-chain-attack). eBook A Complete Guide to Cybersecurity Free resource ### A Complete Guide to Cybersecurity Learn how to protect your business with an effective cybsecurity program. [Download now](/resources/complete-guide-to-cybersecurity) ## Related posts Learn more about the latest issues in cybersecurity. Cybersecurity #### [12 Cybersecurity Horror Stories of 2026 (No Costume Required)](/blog/cybersecurity-horror-stories-2026) A warning ignored once becomes a headline. Read more about these 12 real 2026 cybersecurity incidents, and the sign each one gave before it made the news. [](/team/revashni-moodley) [Revashni Moodley](#) October 14, 2026 Cybersecurity #### [Left Unsupervised: 10 Times Access Outlived Its Authorization](/blog/10-times-access-outlived-authorization) Access granted once shouldn’t mean access forever. Read more on how unmonitored access caused 10 of these real-life breaches and what they taught us. [](/team/revashni-moodley) [Revashni Moodley](#) August 25, 2026 Cybersecurity #### [Surviving a LockBit Ransomware Attack: The ROI of Visibility](/blog/surviving-a-lockbit-ransomware-attack) Read how veteran CISO Nick Gicinto saved his alma mater from a LockBit ransomware attack by discarding the standard playbook. [](/team/nicholas-sollitto) [Nicholas Sollitto](#) June 1, 2026 Cybersecurity #### [Top 10 Security Events of 2025](/blog/top-security-events-of-2025) Recap the ten most impactful events that reshaped the cybersecurity industry this year and the critical lessons each had to teach us. Read more here. [](/team/revashni-moodley) [Revashni Moodley](#) October 14, 2026 Cybersecurity #### [Risk Automations: The Shift From Catch-Up to Command](/blog/risk-automations-shift-catch-up-to-command) Connect intelligence to system execution with Risk Automations, your new resolution layer for risk. Reduce remediation from hours to seconds - read more. [](/team/revashni-moodley) [Revashni Moodley](#) December 1, 2025 Cybersecurity #### [Shai-Hulud's True Lesson for CISOs: A Crisis of Communication](/blog/shai-hulud-lesson-for-cisos) Shai-Hulud was driven by a communication crisis between security and engineering. Get a CISO's perspective on how to finally bridge this gap. [](/team/phil-ross) [Phil Ross](#) September 3, 2026 [All posts](/blog) Experience superior visibility and a simpler approach to cyber risk management [Get a demo](/contact-sales) [Free trial](/demo)