The recent string of global ransomware attacks, the Equifax data breach, and the constant barrage of phishing campaigns have shocked many Australian businesses into being more proactive with their security efforts.
However, one problem most business owners encounter before developing their security programme is making sense of all the technical jargon. Sure, words like “malware” and “firewall” are simple enough to understand, but what about ambiguous concepts like information, network, and cybersecurity?
For many, these terms can be interchangeable as ‘soccer and football’ or ‘prawns and shrimp,’. However, some notable differences exist in definition and application.
Information security
Information security, or InfoSec, is concerned with protecting all forms of data from unauthorised access, modification, or destruction.
Unlike network security and cybersecurity, which focus on protecting data that resides in servers, workstations, or the cloud, InfoSec practitioners safeguard everything, including physical documents and private communications.
InfoSec frameworks are built around three core objectives: maximising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of business data. Following these security measures to achieve the best data management:
- Access management – allows you to grant authorised users and devices the right to access specific applications and data; while preventing outsiders from stealing company secrets.
- Locks and surveillance systems – deter unauthorised parties from breaking into your office, server rooms, and filing cabinets.
- Data encryption – encodes files to prevent hackers from reading or modifying them.
- Employee policies – discourage your staff from leaking company information.
- Cloud backup – keeps clean copies of your data in fault-tolerant data centres in case on-premises server rooms and files are compromised.
- Network optimisation guarantees that authorised parties can access cloud data when requested.
Cybersecurity
Although there’s a big overlap between information security and cybersecurity, the latter generally refers to the practice of protecting digital data and computer networks from unauthorised access. The two threats to cybersecurity are network-based attacks and social engineering scams.
Social engineering is a technique used by hackers to manipulate people into willfully giving up sensitive information or downloading dangerous software. To up their success rates, scam artists usually masquerade as bank tellers or business executives. The worst part is that there’s little-to-no coding required to perform a con; hackers only need to research their target on social media and deliver a convincing lie.
While some of the craftiest scams in recent months have involved phishing emails, hackers also use plenty of other tricks. Even something as simple as leaving a USB drive unattended in a well-lit room is enough to entice a person to plug it into their computer and unknowingly install a host of malware applications.
As social engineering exploits human vulnerabilities, no amount of security software can completely protect you and your employees. Instead, you should conduct monthly security awareness training sessions to encourage safe computer habits and ensure your ‘human firewalls’ are up to date with the latest scams.
Network Security
Network security is a subset of cybersecurity and is probably the area most people are familiar with. It focuses on defending IT infrastructures against malware, denial-of-service attacks, and network intrusions.
There are many components to a network security system, including antivirus software, intrusion prevention systems, and firewalls. Some providers go a step further by adding multiple layers of protection such as URL filtering, VPNs, and email security software; to fend off attacks from every direction.
When choosing your provider, ensure they offer network monitoring and ongoing security management services. This helps you proactively mitigate threats before they turn into downtime-inducing disasters.
Why does it matter?
Understanding the differences between each security area can save your business in the long run. For instance, a partner focusing solely on network security; leaves other areas of your business exposed to social engineering, office break-ins, and internal data leaks.
To prepare for any security risk, you must consider all available solutions; and be willing to find a partner that makes all forms of security work together.
Having worked in the IT industry for several years, we understand the repercussions of a security breach. When sensitive data falls into the wrong hands, you lose thousands of dollars in legal penalties, data recovery efforts, and loss of customer trust.
Our high-end security services prevent this from happening. We provide safeguards for your entire system and help maintain data confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Call Empower IT today to develop a bulletproof security programme.
