Cyber forensics and information security both protect computer systems and data. Yet, these two terms are different. Find out here how.

Why The Tech Industry Is A Good Place To Start

If you’re looking for a high-growth field to start your career or interested in making a career change, the technology field is a great place to start. The tech industry promises significant growth. Furthermore, salaries in this industry are well-paying. Moreover, the demand is high and continues to grow because of heavy reliance on technology. 

Indeed, the tech security industry offers job security. However, most people don’t realize at first the size of the industry. There are different paths available to take in this field. Two of the in-demand professions in this field are cyber forensics and information security. They might look the same at first. However, they are quite different in many aspects.

It is important to know the difference between these two before choosing your career. Read on to understand the difference between cyber forensics and information security.

Cyber Forensics and Information Security Have Different Goals

In simple words, information security focuses on preventing data breaches. Meanwhile, cyber forensics deals with what happens after a data breach. 

Information security professionals design and build programs to secure an organization’s data. Furthermore, they update security systems to ensure that outsiders won’t get unauthorized access. The security measures they implement include setting up password protection to building self-scanning databases from scratch.

However, hackers may still find a way through those security measures. That’s where cyber forensics professionals come in. They resolve the damage brought by a data breach. For instance, they work to retrieve lost data and retrace the hacker’s steps. Moreover, they investigate what went wrong that caused the breach. 

Many cyber forensics professionals work with law enforcement. They gather evidence to see how a system was breached. Hence, cyber forensics and information security professionals have their own approach to understanding a digital system.

Cyber Forensics and Information Security Have Different Use of Evidence

Information security professionals use evidence to improve their systems after a breach. Meanwhile, cyber forensics uses evidence to find criminals. They work with law enforcement to ensure that the evidence meets legal standards. That is to preserve its reliability in criminal proceedings. Hence, both fields act after a breach.

Also, these two fields have the same goals after a breach. Those are to find the vulnerabilities. They also work to patch those holes in the short-term. Also, eliminate them in the long term.

Educational Attainment

In terms of education, these two fields have a common ground. Most professionals must have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree to work in either of these fields. However, the required programs differ between the two professions. 

Listed below are some of the undergraduate degrees you may pursue in information security.

• Computer Engineering
• Information Systems and Technology
• Computer Science
• Information Assurance

Moreover, you might need an advanced degree for several higher-level positions. Also, information security employees may prefer applicants with Masters in Business Administration.

Meanwhile, you generally need a Bachelor’s in either Cyber/Digital Forensics or Cyber Criminology to work in the cyber forensics field. Years of experience is also a valuable credential in both of these fields.