What are cyber forensics and information security? And what are the differences?
Introduction
Cyber forensics and information security are professionals in their field. Both of them help protect cyber systems and data.
Moreover, they use tools and training. However, their duties are not the same.
So, how are they different?
We will talk about the following areas:
- Goals
- Approaches
- Methods
- Rules
- Evidence Use
- Educations
- Specializations
- Salaries
Goals
In information security, they aim to protect data and information systems. But cyber forensics manage the aftereffects of a security incident.
Moreover, information security professionals design, build, and program systems. Also, they manage and update security systems.
Furthermore, they apply security measures. It includes putting up password protection. And scanning the database for security gaps.
On the other hand, cyber forensics professionals manage the hacked system. Also, they try to take back the stolen data. Finally, they will hunt the hacker’s steps.
Approaches
Information security analyzes the systems. This way, they will know what protective measures they can apply.
But cyber forensics analyzes the entry and breach gaps. This way, they will know how a hacker accessed a system.
To sum up, information security focuses on hypothetical scenes. While cyber forensics focuses on what has happened.
Methods
Information and cybersecurity aim on an organization’s strategies. But cyber forensics collects evidence on the incident.
Besides, information security creates protocols of a system. They also train employees and clients.
However, cyber forensics work with the authorities. They also do investigations about the incident.
Rules
Information security experts secure sensitive data. They work together to prevent breaches and hacking. Yet cyber forensics retrieves lost data due to breaches.
Additionally, information security works with large corporations. In contrast, cyber forensics work with law enforcement.
Evidence Use
Information security professionals use the evidence for security improvements. Whereas cyber forensics use evidence to find criminals.
Also, information security use evidence to find vulnerabilities in their computer systems. It will help them fix and improve security.
But cyber forensics use evidence to identify the criminal. Then, they can get back the lost data.
Education
To get an information security job, here are the following undergraduate degrees:
- Information Assurance
- Computer Science
- Computer Engineering
- Information Systems and Technology
But if you want a cyber forensics career, here are the degrees:
- Cyber or Digital Forensics
- Cyber Criminology
Specializations
Additionally, information security has more specializations that cyber forensics.
Information security has the following:
- Information and Data Protections
- Systems Architecture
- Legal Compliance
- Access Management
- IT Systems Development
- System Vulnerability Testing
- Software Development Security
In cyber forensics, here are the specializations:
- Network forensics and Risk Management
- Cyber Crime and Fraud
- Computer-related Criminal Justice and Legal Policies
Salaries
An average salary of an information security expert is $76,000. Whereas a cyber forensics expert’s average salary is $57,000.
Why the gap? There is a difference in their educational background. Most information security professionals have more requirements. Also, some even require a master’s degree in information security.
Besides, there are still factors that can affect their salary. Such as:
- Experience
- Location
- Specialization
