Cybersecurity vs. Information Security: What’s the Difference?

Cybersecurity and information security (InfoSec) are overlapping fields, but they focus on different risks, tools, and priorities. Whether you're exploring a career path or trying to understand how organizations defend against threats, learning the difference between the two can give you clearer insight into how today's digital and physical information stays protected and where you might fit in.

Explore how cybersecurity and information security compare, how these roles fit in organizations, and how to get started with the skills and certifications that can open doors in both areas.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity focuses specifically on protecting digital systems, networks, and devices from threats like malware, data breaches, and hacking attempts. It plays a vital role in helping organizations build secure infrastructures, monitor for intrusions, and respond to attacks.

What is cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity is a field that focuses on securing computer systems, networks, and digital information to protect them from unauthorized access, attacks, and damage. The technologies and practices used in cybersecurity include defenses against threats like malware, ransomware, phishing, and denial-of-service (DoS) attacks. The goal is to secure an organization's IT infrastructure from cyber threats originating from both inside and outside the organization.

What is cybersecurity used for?

Organizations use cybersecurity to protect their digital systems, data, and networks from unauthorized access, malicious attacks, and operational disruptions. As the volume and severity of cyber threats continue to rise, cybersecurity has become essential for safe and effective operations in today's digital-first world.

In 2024, the United States recorded more than 3,000 data compromise cases that endangered the records of 1.35 billion people [1]. These incidents included data breaches, leaks, and exposures, through which unauthorized users accessed sensitive information. In one example, cybercriminals targeted several major US telecommunications providers, exploiting vulnerabilities in network infrastructure to access sensitive data.

Information security

Information security focuses on protecting both digital and physical data. It includes governance, policy, and compliance. As such, it is essential for risk management across entire organizations.

What is information security?

InfoSec refers to the policies, processes, and controls that organizations use to protect all their information from unauthorized access, alteration, or loss. It supports three key goals: confidentiality, integrity, and availability, also known as the CIA triad. These principles help ensure that data stays secure, reliable, and available to the right people.

Unlike cybersecurity, which addresses digital threats specifically, InfoSec covers a wider range of concerns. It includes physical safeguards like secure storage, administrative policies that govern access, and compliance with standards such as ISO/IEC 27001 and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. By building strong information security systems, you can reduce risk, support regulatory compliance, and maintain trust across teams and stakeholders.

What is information security used for?

Organizations use information security to create clear boundaries around how they handle data, reduce exposure to legal and financial risk, and build systems that stand up to internal and external scrutiny. InfoSec doesn't just protect information, but it also enables accountability, resilience, and informed decision making.

• Securing data: InfoSec ensures that companies store and share sensitive data, such as customer records, financial documents, and employee information, in ways that prevent unauthorized use or loss.

• Policy and governance: It provides the framework for consistent decision making by defining who can access which types of information and under what conditions.

• IP protection: Organizations use InfoSec to safeguard proprietary information, including product designs, internal research, and strategic plans, from internal leaks or external theft.

• Risk audits and compliance: InfoSec systems make it easier to conduct internal audits, demonstrate compliance with legal and industry standards, and identify areas of weakness before they become liabilities.

Career paths in cybersecurity vs. information security

The roles you pursue in cybersecurity or information security can shape how you spend your workday and influence your career path. If you're drawn to identifying threats, building defenses, or responding to real-time incidents, cybersecurity may align with your interests. If you're more focused on risk strategy, regulatory standards, or leading enterprise-wide security initiatives, information security may be a better fit. The examples below highlight the types of roles you might step into.

Cybersecurity roles

• Ethical hacker: Apply offensive techniques to uncover security gaps before attackers can take advantage of them.

• Penetration tester: Assess the security of systems through authorized testing and simulations.

• Security architect: Plan and build secure infrastructure that supports business operations.

• Security operations center (SOC) analyst: Investigate alerts and respond to incidents in real time.

Information security roles

• Compliance officer: Ensure that the organization meets security regulations and standards like HIPAA or ISO/IEC 27001.

• Data privacy officer: Oversee how organizations collect, store, and share personal data to comply with privacy laws.

• Information security analyst: Monitor networks for potential breaches and implement preventative measures.

• Chief Information Security Officer (CISO): Lead the strategic direction of an organization's information security program.

• Security consultant: Evaluate existing security measures and provide tailored recommendations to reduce risk.

Key skills for cybersecurity vs. information security

Cybersecurity and information security roles rely on many of the same foundational skills. Both involve protecting sensitive data and responding to threats. However, cybersecurity typically emphasizes technical tools and threat protection, while information security includes overarching strategies like compliance, risk assessment, and governance. Because of this overlap, developing skills in one area can prepare you for roles in the other.

Cybersecurity skills

• Cloud computing

• Encryption

• Ethical hacking

• Network security

• Scripting

Information security skills

• Computer forensics

• Networking

• Incident response

• Risk assessment

• Security regulations

Certifications to boost your career in cybersecurity and information security

People frequently refer to cybersecurity and information security as the same concepts, but they focus on different aspects of protecting data and systems. Understanding the distinction can help you choose the right certifications to support your career goals.

• Cybersecurity focuses specifically on protecting digital systems, networks, and data from threats like hacking, malware, and unauthorized access.

• Information security takes a broader view. It includes cybersecurity but also covers physical security, policies, risk management, and compliance.

Many professionals work in roles that require both technical cybersecurity knowledge and broader InfoSec awareness. Combining certifications from each category can help you stand out.

Cybersecurity certifications

Cybersecurity certifications validate hands-on skills in identifying, preventing, and responding to cyber threats. They can help you prepare for roles like security analyst, penetration tester, or incident responder.

• CompTIA Security+

• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

• GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)

• Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)

Information security governance certifications

The following credentials focus on governance, risk, and compliance (GRC), making them a strong fit for leadership roles, auditing, or strategic planning.

• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

• Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)

• ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Implementer

Getting started in cybersecurity or information security with Coursera 

Cybersecurity and information security take different approaches to protecting data. One focuses on technical defense, and the other focuses on governance and risk. Both play essential roles in today's digital landscape.

If you're exploring a cybersecurity career path, the Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate offers hands-on training in threat detection, network defense, and tools used by entry-level analysts. For those interested in policy, compliance, or risk management, the IBM and ISC2 Cybersecurity Specialist Professional Certificate can help you prepare for the Certified in Cybersecurity exam and build foundational InfoSec knowledge. You can find these programs and more on Coursera.