Network Security vs. Cyber Security: Which Is For You?

Cyber and network security are common college subjects of information security. The development of technology has dragged on more potential security risks, which increase the demands for workers in these two fields.

The two professions aim at protecting the system and information from attacks and security risks. However, there are some significant differences between network security and cyber security that you should consider.

If you seek a position in the information security field, it is crucial to differentiate between them. Scroll down for specifics!

What Is Network Security?

It is a broad term that includes the securing and protection of technologies, processes, and devices. In simple terms, network security is the rules and procedures to protect information and computer networks.

It resorts to modern hardware and software technologies to ensure that the data and networks are secured, fully accessible, and operate well.

Almost every company and organization of all sizes have some level of security to protect their networks from potential threats and cyber-attacks. The need for network security is growing rapidly nowadays.

As the technology evolves, there are always attackers who want to exploit and take advantage of the network’s vulnerabilities.

It’s Crucial To Protect Your Data

What Is Cyber Security?

Cyber security is the rules and procedures used for protecting computers, mobile devices, servers, information, and networks from cyber threats. The terms can be applied to various contexts and fields.

It is a broader term that covers many security fields such as networks, information, operational, and end-user education. As the data is rapidly growing every year, there are more cyber threats globally.

The medical, operational, and educational services are under the regular attacks of cyber criminals to collect valuable data. Therefore, cyber security measures are crucial to the development of businesses.

Cyber security uses cryptographic protocols to encrypt data and protect it from cybercrimes to protect systems and individual users. It uses software to detect potential threats and malware to protect the systems and data.

Is Network & Cyber Security The Same?

There are many similarities between the two terms, and sometimes they can be used interchangeably. They serve the same role: protecting systems and users from cybercrimes and cyber-attacks.

The protocols and measures are also similar, which includes the hardware, software, and coding to protect the data. However, cyber security is a broader term that includes network security.

In other words, the practice of protecting the networks from cybercrimes and intruders (network security) is a branch of cyber security.

Key Differences

Network SecurityCyber Security
It is a brand of cyber securityIt covers network security as a subset
It protects the data and information flowing between the servers and computer networks.Besides the data and networks, cyber security also protects the devices, systems, and servers.
Its main subject of protection is the data on the networks.It covers everything in cyberspace, including computer networks.
It prevents mainly trojans, DOS attacks, worms, and computer viruses on the networks.It protects users’ and organizations’ information and data from cybercrimes and cyber-attacks.
It uses hardware, software protocols, authentification, and policies to protect the computer networks.It uses cryptographic protocols to encrypt the information and special software to detect viruses and potential attacks.
Some popular career paths are network security architect and engineer.Some popular career paths are cyber security analysts and architects.

Definition

Network security is only a part of cyber security. Its primary role is to protect the organization and companies’ networks using software and hardware.

Cyber security serves the same function, but it covers much broader subjects, including computer networks, information, devices, and operational security. It also deals with cyber-attacks and helps systems recover from security disasters.

Furthermore, cyber security helps secure and protect all the mentioned subjects from cybercrimes and attacks. Meanwhile, the main role of network security is securing the data and information flowing between the computer networks.

The Hackers And Cybercrimes

Security

Although both fields aim at protecting the company’s data and networks from attackers, they use pretty different measures to perform the task.

The professions relating to cyber security deal mainly with responding to cyber-attacks and recovery from damage. They encrypt the data of users and companies so that the attackers cannot steal and take advantage of them.

The experts in this field also use special software to detect the potential threats, viruses, and malfunction in the system to prevent damage and loss of data.

Some experts can evaluate the security level of a specific device, or system and fix the existing security holes. Thus, they help strengthen the systems and protect users’ data from cybercrimes.

Meanwhile, the primary role of the network security experts is to protect the computer networks and systems from the growing threats of cyber-attackers.

Some measures are upgrading the password, firewall, and IT infrastructure of the company networks.

Assessing The Security Level Of A System

Career Path

The people working as cyber security experts work closely with the executives of corporations. They hold important positions in the companies, such as architects, analysts, information managers, and the IT department director.

Meanwhile, network security features popular positions like security and network engineer, architecture, leader, and consultant. If you have the adequate skills and experience, your career in those fields is wide open.

Final Thoughts

Both terms indicate the measures and protocols for protecting data and computer networks from cyber-attacks and cybercrimes. Yet, cyber security is a broader term, which includes network security as a subset.

In many situations, the two terms can be used interchangeably. I hope that this post can satisfy your curiosity by now. Thank you for reading!