IT security vs cyber security: the foundation vs the frontier

Securing IT infrastructure is an essential part of modern-day business. But while IT security provides a crucial foundation for protecting systems, data, and networks, it’s not enough to stand alone in an era where cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Here's why IT security should be viewed as just one piece of the puzzle, with cyber security stepping in to fill the critical gaps.

IT security: the solid foundation

IT security is broad and comprehensive. It encompasses everything from protecting hardware and software systems to managing identity and access, ensuring data integrity, and implementing disaster recovery protocols. Think of IT security as the brick-and-mortar defence—locking doors, securing internal networks, and maintaining the confidentiality of your organisation's most sensitive information. IT security focuses on protecting the infrastructure itself, ensuring that only authorised personnel have access to vital resources, and that systems stay operational in the face of internal and external threats.

A typical IT security setup might include:

• Endpoint Security: Protecting devices like computers, phones, and tablets from malware.
• Data Security: Encrypting sensitive data to prevent unauthorised access.
• Disaster Recovery Plans: Making sure you can bounce back quickly after a breach, data loss or power outage.
• Access Control: Enforcing multi-factor authentication (MFA) to safeguard user accounts.

These measures are foundational because they ensure the security of internal systems and sensitive data. However, while they provide a secure perimeter, they often lack the adaptability and focus needed to counteract modern cyber threats.

Why IT security needs cyber security

While IT security lays the groundwork, it doesn't focus enough on the dynamic nature of the cyber dangers that can be found out there. The rapid evolution of malicious tactics, like ransomware, phishing, and advanced persistent threats (APTs), requires more specialised, agile, and proactive defence strategies. That’s where cyber security comes in.

Cyber security, as a subset of IT security, focuses specifically on protecting internet-connected systems from digital threats. The security techniques used in cyber security target real-time attacks like hacking, phishing, and malware that can bypass traditional IT security measures. For example, a strong firewall and VPN might prevent unauthorised access, but cyber security can help detect and neutralise a hacker actively trying to exploit vulnerabilities in your system.

Cyber security brings a layer of defence that is not just about stopping the attack but about detecting and responding to threats in real-time. It includes:

• Threat Intelligence: Monitoring and identifying evolving cyber threats before they can inflict damage.
• Incident Response: Ensuring that if an attack occurs, there is a well-planned process to mitigate the impact.
• Continuous Monitoring: Keeping a constant watch over systems to detect any signs of compromise.

Without cyber security, your organisation may be exposed to threats that IT security is not designed to handle, leaving you vulnerable to an attack that bypasses your defences.

The future of security

As technology continues to develop, security strategies need to evolve alongside it to keep up with newly created threats. One such example that is on the verge of creating huge changes to business and wider society is AI, which requires both IT and cyber security working in tandem to mitigate risks. AI provides huge potential for organisations to enhance productivity, innovation, and decision-making, making it not only an attractive technology, but a near-essential one to adopt.

The rapid pace of AI adoption does, however, expose organisations to new frontiers of security threats, and both IT and cyber security is needed to combat them. For example, AI adoption means a category of compliance for organisations, potential gaps in data security, and a new avenue for cyber criminals to exploit.

Cyber security professionals can help ensure organisations become and stay compliant, carry out assessments on secure adoption readiness, and provide the tools for continuous threat monitoring and response. Meanwhile, at the centre of everything, IT security can ensure the protection of data, training of users within an organisation, and ensuring policies and procedures are continually followed for maximum effectiveness.

The necessity of both

Ultimately, IT security provides the crucial baseline for infrastructure protection, while cyber security ensures that you are actively defending against the ever-evolving cyber threat landscape. While the perimeter security of IT is essential, cyber security’s proactive and reactive measures keep you one step ahead of attackers.

The takeaway? IT security is the necessary foundation, but cyber security adds the specialised layer that organisations need to defend against increasingly sophisticated online threats. A strong defence combines both, ensuring that your systems are not only secure but resilient in the face of tomorrow's cyber threats.

At FluidOne, we take pride in our delivery of comprehensive and secure Connected Cloud Solutions, with products and services encompassing IT, cyber. Our vision is to lead the way in secure AI adoption, combining our innovative Connected Cloud Solutions with unmatched expertise and service, empowering businesses to thrive confidently in the AI era.

Security is a major part of enabling the success of the modern workplace, which is why our comprehensiveness extends to providing both IT and cyber security, through our Business and Enterprise IT divisions, and our cyber centre of excellence CSA Cyber.

If you would like to know more about how we can safeguard your organisation, get in touch today.