Properly securing an enterprise’s computer system, network, and data from internal and external threats is paramount. Security measures can make the difference between propelling an organization to incredible heights or severely hampering them with countless setbacks, such as sensitive data breaches, financial losses, and a damaged reputation. Cybersecurity and network security are two important methods to safeguard a company’s digital livelihood. While there is some overlap, cybersecurity, and network security play different roles. Cybersecurity focuses on external threats like security breaches from unauthorized users looking to get inside the network. Network security is tasked with managing internal data risks, such as activity within the network. Cybersecurity and network security have the same goal: protect data integrity and keep unauthorized users out.
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity encompasses all of “cyberspace.” It’s a group of collective technologies, methods, and strategies deployed to protect the integrity of a computer system’s network infrastructure—hardware and software—from outside cyberattacks by unauthorized users.
Incoming traffic is monitored to ensure nothing malicious slips through the door.
Network Security
While network security can be seen as a subset of cyber security, it concentrates on protecting internal programs and network integrity from unauthorized users. Network security guards network-accessible resources and IT infrastructure against digital threats, such as viruses, malware, spyware, and spam. Firewalls, encryption, and ID and password logins are used to combat these risks.
Cybersecurity vs Network Security Similarities
Cybersecurity and network security are often confused as one and the same. In actuality, network security is a subset of cybersecurity. They both share the same objective: to protect information from cyber-attacks and unauthorized access. Infrastructure security is a primary focus for both cybersecurity and network security. Together, cyber and network security establish and maintain IT systems while upholding digital data integrity.
Cybersecurity vs Network Security Differences
While cybersecurity and network security are united in protecting data integrity and user access, they diverge in how they go about accomplishing those tasks. Network security is on the offense, seeking out potential threats to neutralize them. Cybersecurity plays defense as it tries to put out the fires that have already begun. Cybersecurity commits its energy to protecting applications, data, and users. Once an attack from an unauthorized user has already started, cybersecurity quickly shores up the breached areas and works to improve and secure the vulnerability for future episodes. Network security focuses primarily on protecting the network’s infrastructure. As traffic from different networks tries to make contact, network security assesses and controls it, preventing potential cyberattacks from the onset. Here is a more comprehensive breakdown of some of the key differences between cybersecurity and network security:
- Network security: Secures data within the network’s jurisdiction from unauthorized users.
Cybersecurity: Secures the devices and server data as a backup if network security fails to head off a threat.
- Network security: Secures IT infrastructure by maintaining firewalls, password security policies, and encryption standards.
Cybersecurity: Supports IT infrastructure security by dealing with cyber threats that attack it.
- Network security: Secures transitional data passing through the network.
Cybersecurity: Secures stored data on servers and devices.
- Network security: Focuses on preventing cyberattacks, such as denial of service (DoS), viruses, and worms.
Cybersecurity: Focuses on stopping cyber attacks, such as pre-texting and phishing.
- Network security: Covers user names and passwords, firewalls, encryption, internet access, and system backup.
Cybersecurity: Covers applications and updates as well as network security.
- Network security is a subpart of cybersecurity.
How Do Cybersecurity and Network Security Work Together?
Both cybersecurity and network security work as a team to neutralize cyber threats. While they may “divide and conquer” in several areas, they can create a robust and formidable defense against malicious actors. Always on the hunt, network security sets up a vast array of defenses to ensnare unwanted traffic. Firewalls are constructed, and antivirus software is deployed. Authentications and verifications vet potential users. Digital tools are activated to monitor and control any transitional traffic passing through the network. Cybersecurity steps up to ensure the network security’s “back is covered.” It secures applications from the start and is standing by to address any threat that breaches the network security’s defenses. While network security detects and blocks cyber threats, cybersecurity supplies a response to threats. As a complementary partnership, network security and cybersecurity provide a comprehensive security strategy.
Cyber threats can come from several different approaches. The majority of current intrusions target end-users. Just one click on the wrong website can open the door to various malware, phishing, and ransomware attacks. Even cybersecurity experts can become complacent and fall victim to one of these threats. With over forty-two years of experience, Cynergy Technology offers a wide range of cybersecurity and network security solutions to safeguard your IT system and critical data. From network operations to security engineering to anti-phishing and more, Cynergy Technology is here to support your organization so that it can get back to doing what it does best. To learn more about how Cynergy Technology can help fend off cyberattacks and keep your IT system running smoothly, contact us for a free consultation today.
